Science

Claims about the sustainability of fish farms have been vastly overstated VIKEN KANTARCI/AFP via Getty Images It has been claimed that fish farming is a sustainable source of food that will help us feed the growing global human population while protecting wild fish populations – but this isn’t true. “Fish farming is not a substitute

Future mobile networks could transmit data much faster if they use a wider range of frequencies Frank Herrmann/Getty Images Wireless data has been sent at 938 gigabits per second, or more than 9000 times the average speed of a current 5G phone connection. This would be the equivalent of downloading more than 20 average-length movies

Quantum theory is poking holes in our understanding of entropy VICTOR de SCHWANBERG/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Measuring disorder in the quantum realm is creating a bit of a mess. A mathematical study found that three different definitions for entropy that were previously thought to be equivalent don’t always match for quantum objects. When two objects are

Archaeological research has helped us understand the complicated story of our species’ past, from the earliest hominins to the dawn of civilisation and beyond. But some people are convinced that it has overlooked an important chapter. They believe there was an advanced global civilisation some 20,000 years ago during the last glacial maximum, often referred

The Tibetan plateau Nicolas Marino/mauritius images GmbH/Alamy Climate change is raising winter temperatures faster than those of summer, especially in high-altitude areas. This “asymmetric” warming could spell trouble for the vast amount of carbon stored in soils there by altering microbial activity more than expected. The planet’s soils store more carbon than any ecosystem other

China is set to launch its highly anticipated Tianwen-3 mission around 2028, aimed at collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth. Liu Jizhong, Chief Designer of the mission, announced this during the second International Deep Space Exploration Conference, known as the Tiandu Forum, held in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The Tianwen-3 mission

A significant breakthrough in atomic physics occurred with the development of the first nuclear clock. This clock, based on the thorium-229 nucleus, has achieved a level of precision that could help test whether the fundamental constants of physics change over time. This remarkable advancement was achieved by a research team led by Jun Ye, a

September 2024 may offer a unique opportunity to witness vibrant Northern Lights, especially around the fall equinox on September 22nd. Experts predict that geomagnetic storms could be stronger than usual during this period, thanks to the Russell-McPherron Effect. This phenomenon, first detailed in a 1973 paper, suggests that Earth’s magnetic field briefly aligns with the

In 2006, a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome began decimating bat populations across New England. Over the following decade, the loss of these bats, essential for controlling insect populations, led to significant consequences for agriculture and human health, according to a new study. With fewer bats around to consume insects, farmers resorted to increased use

The White Shark Café, located in the Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Hawaii, is a mysterious region where great white sharks gather every winter and spring. This area, once thought to be an ocean desert, has puzzled scientists for years. Great white sharks, typically found off the coast of California, make a long journey

Patients suffering from chronic pain have limited treatment options, often relying on medications like opioids that come with harmful side effects and high addiction risks. A new study in mice, published in Current Biology journal, suggests a new way to use the placebo effect for treating chronic pain. By activating specific neurons in the brain

A significant discovery of ancient silver coins has been made on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia. Archaeologists from the University of Tübingen, Germany, unearthed 27 Roman silver coins, known as “denarii,” dating back more than 2,000 years. The coins were found hidden in a hole in the wall during excavations

The European Space Agency (ESA) is concluding the Cluster mission, with the first of four satellites safely reentering Earth’s atmosphere. This marks the end of a mission that has provided 24 years of valuable space data. In January, the satellite’s orbit was adjusted to ensure its reentry would target an uninhabited area, reducing risks for

The universe, although appearing static, is always evolving. The NASA Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2027, will give scientists a better understanding of this dynamic universe by observing distant galaxies. One of the main focuses of the mission is to study galactic fossils, remnants of ancient stars that hold clues to galaxy formation. The

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company aims to start launching Starship missions to Mars in 2026. These initial missions will be uncrewed and designed to test the reliability of landing safely on Mars. If these test flights are successful, the first crewed missions could begin as early as four years

Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk’s business empire ratcheted up further as the country’s telecoms regulator threatened to sanction his satellite broadband company Starlink hours after its top court stood behind a controversial decision to ban social network X from the country. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also backed the top court’s Judge

Glaciers have long served as nature’s deep freezers, preserving the physical characteristics of past climates and the genetic blueprints of ancient life forms, including viruses. As the planet’s climate continues to shift, scientists are increasingly looking to these frozen archives to understand how pathogens have historically responded to environmental changes. By studying viral genomes extracted

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves beyond the realm of digital assistants and deepfake technology. Astronomers are now harnessing AI to achieve unprecedented precision in understanding the universe’s fundamental parameters. Researchers at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA) in New York City have leveraged AI to calculate the five cosmological parameters that characterise

For the first time, scientists have successfully detected and measured an invisible electric field enveloping Earth. This field, known as the ambipolar field, was first theorised over 60 years ago and its discovery marks a significant advancement in our understanding of Earth’s atmospheric dynamics. Glyn Collinson, an astronomer at NASA‘s Goddard Space Flight Center, and

NASA has announced that astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will be launching on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than Tuesday, September 24, 2024. This update comes after changes to the mission’s crew composition. Originally, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were also part of