“Fire season” is an unfortunate part of Australian summers. During this time, low soil moisture, a lack of rain, and dry vegetation allows small flames to become rapidly-spreading wildfires. Once ignited by lightning or discarded cigarettes, the inferno is difficult to contain and extinguish. Sometimes the fires begin from arsonists. And they may be human...
Orcas may join parrots and the other animals who can imitate human speech. A study examined a captive orca who is able to mimic human sounds and words. Listeners may find the voice eerie but some of the phrases are unmistakable. Not only that, the researchers believe that this mimicry can explain why killer whale...
In the summer of 2022, renowned oceanographer Dr. Dawn Wright embarked on a historic journey into Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in Earth’s oceans. Located in the Mariana Trench, over 6.7 miles beneath the Pacific Ocean’s surface, Challenger Deep is a mysterious and largely unexplored abyss. Wright, dubbed “Deepsea Dawn,” ventured into the trench...
When you think of jungle wilderness, the Amazonian rainforest often comes to mind. But scientists are making new discoveries and rewriting its history. Recent laser mapping via light detection and ranging, called ‘Lidar’, has uncovered a network of ancient cities the Upano Valley, Ecuador. What can be seen is a thriving civilization over 2,500 years...
An underwater volcano named The Axial Seamount has shown growing signs of activity, which could lead to a potential eruption this year. Located 470 kilometers from the coastline it has been extensively monitored – offering scientists a rare opportunity to study it in detail. 1,100 meters tall and spanning a diameter of two kilometers, Axial...
A parade of planets is coming this January, but if you miss it, you can catch it in later months. Six planets in our solar system, namely Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn will be aligning in January. If there are clear nights, people will be able to see them. But there is greater...
People may no longer need sunshine to harvest solar power. Researchers from University of New South Wales (UNSW) have found a way to generate electricity using the Earth’s radiant infrared heat, creating the opportunity for “nighttime” solar power. The Australian team’s plan goes beyond keeping on the lights in residential homes; they are now taking...
In the 1980s, researchers documented some strange orca behavior. In the Northwest Pacific ocean, orcas were seen with dead salmon on their heads like hats, although the purpose was unknown. This bizarre ritual seemed to end as quickly as it came. But like many trends from the 80s, it’s making a comeback. Scientists are taking...
We like to believe we have a pretty good idea of how things work in our universe. However, the truth is that there is still much we don’t know. Physicists have spent decades creating complex theories to help us make sense of the world around us. Yet, the truth may be simultaneously simpler and stranger...
In the realms of scientific inquiries, the world over we are witnessing breakthroughs every now and then. However, there is one aspect that is not fully appreciated. It is the glimpse it casts into the future of our planet. It has some degree of both hope and fear about what exactly awaits us. The latest...
Cloud-watchers can talk all about the interesting shapes they’ve noticed over the years. They may have been gazing out the car window during a road trip, or tanning on the beach, or on a morning walk. Then they notice a cloud formation that looks like a dolphin, or a boat, or letters of the alphabet....
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery beneath the Baltic Sea has the potential to challenge our understanding of Europe’s prehistoric past. The Blinkerwall, a 3,000-foot-long stone structure submerged off the coast of Germany, offers intriguing clues about Mesolithic life and could force historians to rethink the sophistication of early civilizations. A Hidden Relic of the Mesolithic Age...
