Science

New research published in Science argues that a mega El Niño, with extreme and prolonged climate swings, triggered the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, the deadliest extinction event in Earth's history. The study suggests these wild temperature and rainfall fluctuations stressed ecosystems beyond their ability to adapt, offering a new explanation for why the tropics and higher latitudes were hit so hard.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has reportedly withdrawn from the national squad, with reports linking the decision to his conscience over the situation in Gaza. The claim is circulating widely on social media, drawing debate about players taking a stand on political and humanitarian issues and what it means for Ireland's upcoming fixtures.

Small island nations facing existential threats from rising seas and climate change are pressing the international community for stronger action, declaring 'we're not giving up.' The widely syndicated AP story frames these states as the moral voice of global climate negotiations, highlighting their activism despite limited power. The coverage is being picked up by outlets across the United States.

Researchers have developed the most accurate atomic clock ever built, according to a new report. The advance pushes timekeeping precision beyond existing standards, a field where even tiny improvements matter for GPS navigation, telecommunications, and tests of fundamental physics such as whether fundamental constants change over time. Details of the clock's design and measured accuracy have drawn attention from the scientific community.

An astronomer is tracking how Starlink satellites sink in their orbits, using the drift as a 'planetary barometer' to measure changes in Earth's upper atmosphere. Because the satellites' orbits respond to atmospheric drag, their gradual descent can act as a gauge of density variations. The idea is drawing attention among space and science readers interested in whether mega-constellations could double as atmospheric monitoring tools.

A new Norwegian science study reports that users aged 9 to 18 increasingly turn to AI tools instead of traditional Google searches for information online. Researchers caution that the consequences of this shift remain unknown, raising concerns about how young people evaluate sources, verify facts, and develop search skills as AI-generated answers replace conventional search results.

An unmanned, hurricane-proof Saildrone vessel has begun a treacherous 22,000km journey around Antarctica, departing from Hobart in the name of climate science. The autonomous craft is designed to withstand extreme conditions while collecting ocean and climate data from one of the planet's harshest marine environments, drawing attention for the ambition of its circumnavigation.

Some television meteorologists are increasingly working climate change into their weather forecasts, linking daily conditions to longer-term warming trends. The effort, reported by CBC, has met resistance from parts of the audience who would rather forecasters stick to short-term weather. The debate highlights tensions over how broadcasters should communicate climate science to the public.

Researchers have reviewed anti-aging treatments to determine which ones actually reduce biological age rather than just promising to do so. The findings point to certain interventions that measurably changed markers of biological aging, while others failed to show real effects. The report is drawing attention as interest grows in science-backed approaches to slowing aging.

Commentators are arguing that media coverage of artificial intelligence focuses too much on speculative, science-fiction-style scenarios while ignoring the concrete harm generative AI is already causing to people today. The piece says society should not waste time fantasizing about distant risks and should instead address the real, present-day damage. The argument is fueling debate about how AI dangers should be framed.

Dr M G Suresh Kumar discusses ISRO's move to open its doors to the private sector in a Malayalam-language interview, examining what greater private participation means for India's space programme. The discussion touches on policy changes that allow private companies a bigger role in space activities, a topic drawing significant attention among Malayali audiences interested in science and policy.

This headline is from the Christian Science Monitor and addresses the ongoing debate over how to end the war in Ukraine. It frames a tension in current diplomacy: the United States is promoting peace negotiations, while Russia appears confident that continuing its military campaign serves its goals better. The article examines why Moscow may prefer battlefield gains to talks, and what that means for Western diplomatic efforts. Engagement figures are not visible, so reader reaction is unclear from the available evidence.

The Royal Society of Chemistry's Science Teaching Survey 2026 highlights stark regional disparities in science education provision, with the quality of teaching and resources varying significantly depending on where pupils live. The findings point to unequal access to qualified teachers, equipment and support across the country, prompting fresh debate about funding and the fair distribution of science education opportunities.

A new study suggests that a single, simple dietary change could measurably slow a person's biological age within just four weeks. The findings, reported by BBC Science Focus, point to diet as a faster lever on aging markers than previously assumed. Coverage is drawing attention from readers interested in longevity and practical health steps, though details of the specific change and the study's rigor remain limited in early reports.

The Guardian reports that scientists employed by Saudi Arabia, including staff tied to state oil company Aramco, ended up working on major IPCC climate reports, the world's most influential assessments of climate science. The revelation has drawn attention to how fossil fuel producing states shape global climate science and policy through their participation in these UN-backed processes.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has observed an exotic spiral galaxy that appears to be rotating in two directions at the same time. The unusual finding has drawn attention from space enthusiasts and science outlets, with Mashable among those covering the observation and its implications for how such galaxies can form and evolve.

Anthropic reports that its internal biology laboratory has made a significant discovery, teasing the finding as "something big" without yet revealing details. The announcement is drawing attention across the tech and science communities, with observers speculating about what an AI company's bio lab could have uncovered and what it means for AI-driven research.

Anthropic says its Claude AI helped identify a previously unknown gene-editing enzyme, a claim that, if verified, would mark a significant moment for AI-driven scientific discovery. However, the finding has not yet been independently confirmed by the scientific community, and experts are urging caution until the results are peer-reviewed or replicated in the lab.

Reports say scientists plan to bring back the woolly mammoth with the help of artificial intelligence. The claim, picked up in headlines including the New York Post, suggests AI tools are being used to support de-extinction research aimed at recreating the Ice Age species. Details of the project, its timeline and its scientific credibility remain limited in the available reporting.

New research suggests that during REM sleep, the brain's energy consumption increases even as its fuel supply rises, creating what scientists are calling a paradox. Dreaming appears to be an energetically expensive state, with the brain burning through energy reserves at a time when metabolic resources should theoretically be abundant. The findings could reshape understanding of why sleep and dreaming are biologically essential.

The Crew-13 astronauts have arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida as final preparations begin for their upcoming launch to the International Space Station. The crew's arrival marks a key milestone in the countdown, with preflight training, briefings and vehicle checks underway. The mission is part of NASA's commercial crew program, which rotates astronauts to the orbiting laboratory for long-duration science expeditions.

A new study from Stanford, reported by the university in September 2026, concludes that the human brain should be understood as two separate organs rather than a single unified structure. The finding challenges long-standing assumptions in neuroscience about how the brain's hemispheres function together and is drawing attention across science and technology communities.

Scientists are revisiting slime molds, single-celled organisms that can solve mazes and optimize networks despite having no brain. Their abilities are fueling a growing controversy over how intelligence should be defined, with researchers divided on whether such problem-solving behavior in brainless creatures counts as genuine cognition or something else entirely.

Facing a shortage of dedicated arts educators, California teachers are integrating music, visual arts and drama into core academic subjects like math, science and language lessons. The approach aims to keep creative learning alive in classrooms despite hiring gaps, and it is drawing attention as a practical model for other states grappling with similar shortages of specialized arts staff.