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Smart News / Smart News Science

Life on Earth began to appear at least 3.5 billion years ago; by then, Mars had already lost much of its water into the crust or outer space.

New Research

Mars’ Missing Water Might Be Hiding in Its Minerals

New research estimates how much water was absorbed into the mineral makeup of Mars’ crust

The water high in salinity slowly poisons trees, and as they die, all that is left behind are ghostly gray trunks that resemble toothpicks.

‘Ghost Forests’ May Become More Common as Sea Levels Rise

East Coast woodlands are left parched as brackish water encroaches on landscapes

Aedes scapularis are aggressive biters and frequently find ways indoors

New Research

For the First Time in 75 Years, a New Invasive Species of Mosquito Was Found in Florida

Last year, entomologists in the state found 121 Aedes scapularis mosquitoes, which can carry yellow fever

The tear gland organoids grown from stem cells produce a tear-like fluid (red).

New Research

Scientists Make Tiny Lab-Grown Tear Glands Cry

The tear-producing organoids researchers created could one day help relieve medical conditions that cause dry eyes

The recently recovered oviratorosaur fossil found in southern China is missing its skull and part of its vertebrae, but remarkably, the nest of 24 oval-shaped eggs were well-preserved.

For the First Time, Paleontologists Unearth Fossil of Non-Avian Dinosaur Incubating a Nest of Eggs

The find is the first evidence that oviraptorosaurs—also called ‘egg thief lizards’—were nurturing to their young

As the largest telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, the research team says it can rival the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in the South Pole.

Russian Scientists Sink Giant Deepwater Neutrino Telescope Into World’s Largest Freshwater Lake

In the depths of Lake Baikal, the observatory is designed to detect nature’s ghost particles

Researchers propose storing genetic material from each of Earth's 6.7 million species of known organisms to safeguard life on our planet from annihilation.

Sending DNA From Earth’s 6.7 Million Species to the Moon to Safeguard Life

Researchers propose constructing a ‘lunar ark’ to provide our planet with a ‘reset button’ in the event of a world-ending catastrophe

The surges in twin births occurred only in fraternal twins and may be from increased use in vitro fertilization methods.

Twin Birth Rates Have Soared Globally in the Last Three Decades

The trend is a result of women deciding to have children later in life and the use of medically assisted reproduction methods

Exoplanet GJ 1132 b was discovered in 2015 and is about 41 light years away from Earth

New Research

Unusual Exoplanet Might Be Regrowing Its Atmosphere

Remnants of the first atmosphere trapped under the planet’s thin crust might escape through volcanic eruptions

The lights of the Philadelphia skyline at night.

Philadelphia Skyscrapers Turn Lights Off to Save Migrating Birds

A new program aimed at reducing deadly collisions with buildings for migrating birds is set to begin on April 1

For decades there were rumors of leaking barrels filled with the pesticide DDT littering the ocean floor off the coast of Santa Catalina Island dumped by the now-defunct, Montrose Chemical Corp, the largest global DDT manufacturer based in Los Angeles

‘Underwater Roombas’ Scan Southern California Coast for DDT Barrels

Hundreds of tons of the toxic chemical have likely littered the ocean floor near Santa Catalina Island for decades

Shallow-water imperial cone snails collected for the study were generally larger than the snails collected in deeper water, suggesting they may be separate species.

New Research

This Snail’s Venom Mimics Pheromones to Lure Prey With Sex

The mini mollusk may use a ‘siren call’ strategy to entice marine worms out of hiding

Indoor cannabis growing in California.

New Research

Growing an Ounce of Pot Indoors Can Emit as Much Carbon as Burning a Full Tank of Gas

In some parts of the United States, the growing cannabis industry is responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions

The team used DNA analysis to determine the brothers' hair and eye color. Top: Spytihněv I and bottom: Vratislav I

Art Meets Science

3-D Reconstructions Reveal the Faces of Two Medieval Dukes

Researchers used a variety of techniques to visualize what Czech rulers Spytihněv I and Vratislav I might have looked like

On March 11, 2021, lanterns are released in remembrance of earthquake and tsunami victims in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture.

Remembering the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Ten Years Later

The 9.0-magnitude earthquake in 2011 remains the largest in Japan’s recorded history

Through her literary works, “Kindred”, “Bloodchild”, “Parable of the Sower”, Butler explored themes of global warming, gender equality, political disparity and racism and as a result is known as the “mother” of Afrofuturism.

Mars’ Perseverance Landing Site Named After Science Fiction Author Octavia E. Butler

The Jezero crater location has been named ‘Octavia E. Butler Landing’ in honor of the late literary giant

A tiny, invasive zebra mussel found on a moss ball sold as aquarium decor in a pet store. Officials say moss balls containing the invasive species have been reported in pet stores in at least 21 states.

Officials Say Invasive Zebra Mussels Are Hiding in Aquarium Decor Sold Across U.S.

Pet stores in 21 states recall items after reports of the destructive bivalves lurking in moss balls

Pine siskins make up over 40 percent of the birds seen by the Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County in recent weeks.

Songbirds Are Spreading a Deadly Disease at Birdfeeders

Pine siskins, a type of finch, can spread salmonella bacteria when they poop on the high-traffic platforms

Satellite images comparing bull kelp canopy cover (gold shading) 2008 and 2019 off the coast of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties in Northern California.

New Research

Satellite Imagery Shows Northern California Kelp Forests Have Collapsed

Researchers say they’re not sure these iconic coastal ecosystems will be able to make a comeback anytime soon

The meteorite is a carbonaceous chondrite. There are only 51 similar samples out of 65,000 meteorites in collections around the world.

Rare Meteorite Found in U.K. Driveway Could Hold Secrets of the Early Solar System

Thousands of people spotted the fireball on February 28, and more fragments may still be scattered in Gloucestershire

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