Science

A rare and exceptionally well-preserved Corinthian helmet, believed to have been used by Greek hoplite warriors, is set to go under the hammer later this month in London. Crafted from bronze and dating back to between 500 and 450 B.C., the helmet showcases the artistry of ancient Greek warfare. Such helmets, designed to cover most

A recently identified process occurring in the ocean’s darkest depths has prompted researchers to launch a mission to better understand its implications. Reports reveal that metal nodules on the seafloor might generate oxygen in the absence of sunlight. This unexpected discovery could have significant implications for understanding life in extreme environments, both on Earth and

Direct soil carbon measurement techniques are being explored as a method to improve accuracy in carbon credit markets, especially in agriculture. Measuring stored soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide solid data on the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices. It is believed that this method will enhance the reliability of carbon credits,

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an extraordinary view of the Orion Nebula, the closest star-forming region to Earth, located approximately 1,500 light-years away. This new image highlights protostars HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, which are playing a significant role in reshaping their surrounding environment. The nebula, visible to the naked eye near the constellation

A recent investigation into the moon’s formation and Earth’s water origin has provided compelling insights. Researchers from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) conducted analyses on lunar and terrestrial samples, revealing that the moon was likely formed predominantly from Earth’s mantle material. This challenges the long-held theory

Blue Origin achieved a significant milestone with the maiden launch of its New Glenn rocket. The vehicle lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 2:03 a.m. EST on January 16, 2025. Designed as a reusable orbital-class rocket, it marked a pivotal moment for the company’s ambitions in the spaceflight sector. The mission’s primary

A new two-dimensional (2D) material that combines exceptional strength with flexibility has been created by a team led by Northwestern University. Described as resembling interlinked chainmail, this innovative material is lightweight and holds potential for applications such as advanced body armour and other high-performance uses. The breakthrough is credited to the development of a scalable

A centuries-old supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia has been illuminated by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), unveiling intricate interstellar structures around 11,000 light-years away. The telescope’s infrared capabilities captured glowing gas and dust in the aftermath of the supernova’s explosion, offering astronomers a rare glimpse into the otherwise hidden dynamics of interstellar material. The

Astronomers, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), have identified one of the oldest supernovas ever recorded, believed to have occurred approximately 11.4 billion years ago. This stellar explosion, designated AT 2023adsv, was triggered by a massive star estimated to be 20 times the size of the Sun. The event, observed as part of the

Two private lunar landers have been launched into space, marking a milestone in lunar exploration. The landers, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and Resilience by Japanese company ispace, were carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission took place early on January 15, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon 9’s first stage

Significant discoveries have been made at the ancient site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq, shedding light on Mesopotamian history. Artefacts including clay cuneiform tablets, a game board, and structural remains have been unearthed by a team led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida. The findings are believed

An “unusual” La Niña event has been confirmed, bringing cooler atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the tropical Pacific. Despite expectations for its arrival last year, the phenomenon has emerged later and is forecast to be weaker and shorter in duration. The event, part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, is known for influencing global

A new category of particles, termed “paraparticles,” has been theorized by physicists, offering a fresh perspective on the fundamental building blocks of nature. These particles defy traditional classifications of fermions and bosons, presenting unique properties that could revolutionize understanding in quantum mechanics and potentially enhance quantum computing capabilities. The mathematical model defining paraparticles opens up

A new passenger plane design featuring a revolutionary “blended wing” structure is set to take flight within the next five years, marking a significant departure from conventional aircraft designs. Developed to integrate the wings with the fuselage into a seamless, unified shape, the aircraft is anticipated to slash fuel consumption by half and significantly lower

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in Antarctica, where a team of scientists successfully extracted a 2.8-kilometre-long ice core believed to contain air bubbles and particles from 1.2 million years ago. This ancient ice sample, retrieved under extreme conditions with temperatures reaching -35 degree Celsius, holds the potential to reveal crucial insights about a critical

A white dwarf star, located approximately 1,700 light-years away from Earth, was observed to be shrinking while continuing to steal stellar material from its companion star. Known as RX J0648.0–4418, this star is part of a unique binary system involving HD 49798, a helium-burning hot subdwarf star. The white dwarf is rapidly spinning, completing one

A discovery has shed light on the early evolution of nervous systems in ecdysozoan animals, a group that includes insects, nematodes, and priapulid worms. Fossil evidence from the early Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation has revealed details of the ventral nerve cord structure in ancient organisms, providing key insights into the evolutionary history of this critical component

Unusually dry conditions have been persisting across Southern California, creating an environment prone to destructive wildfires. In early January 2025, multiple wind-driven fires swept through the Los Angeles region, destroying thousands of homes and other structures. The lack of sufficient rainfall, combined with warm and dry weather, has severely impacted soil moisture levels, leaving vegetation

Jupiter’s atmospheric composition has been called into question through observations made using an old technique by an amateur astronomer, Steve Hill. The findings have indicated that the planet’s iconic swirling clouds may not be composed of ammonia ice, as previously assumed. This revelation stems from data collected with commercial telescopes and spectral filters, presenting new

The launch of Blue Origin’s highly anticipated New Glenn rocket has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. Initially planned for Friday, January 10, the liftoff was rescheduled to Sunday, January 12, at 1:00 a.m. EST (0600 GMT). This decision was taken because rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean could jeopardise the landing of the

Scientists have discovered a unique link between ferroelectric domain walls and superconductivity in two-dimensional van der Waals materials. This breakthrough, credited to research by Gaurav Chaudhary from the University of Cambridge and Ivar Martin from Argonne National Laboratory, sheds light on how specific structural features in these materials enable strong electron interactions. The findings are

Another significant mission was undertaken by SpaceX on January 9, with the deployment of a new set of spy satellites for the United States government. A Falcon 9 rocket carried the NROL-153 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, lifting off at 10:53 p.m. EST. This launch marked the seventh instalment of the National

A remarkable discovery has been made in Lithuania’s Vilnius Cathedral, where 16th-century royal burial regalia were recovered after being concealed for nearly a century. The artefacts, including crowns, rings, chains, a sceptre, and coffin plaques, had been hidden in a crypt at the start of World War II. These treasures, once belonging to significant figures

Velvet ants, despite their name, are not ants but parasitic wasps known for their painful stings. These insects, often called “cow killers” due to the intensity of their sting, possess a potent venom capable of acting on different molecular targets depending on the species they encounter. Their defensive mechanisms, which include venom, warning colours, tough

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Caucasus Mountains where an ancient Bronze Age settlement, Dmanisis Gora, has been mapped using drone technology. This site, believed to be over 3,000 years old, reveals new insights into the evolution of large-scale settlements during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Spanning an area far

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex) mission which was scheduled for Thursday, after the satellites drifted more than expected during a manoeuvre, ISRO said in a statement on Wednesday. This is the second time that the docking experiment has been postponed.It was originally scheduled for January 7. In

The highly anticipated debut launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has been scheduled for January 10, 2025. The heavy-lift rocket, designed for both commercial and government missions, will take off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A launch window of three hours, beginning at 1 a.m. EST, has been announced. The rocket’s inaugural

Antarctica’s melting ice sheet, driven by global climate change, could potentially awaken over 100 hidden volcanoes buried beneath its surface. The phenomenon, linked to the reduction of pressure on magma chambers as ice melts, has been associated with increased volcanic activity in other regions. Scientists suggest that as the Antarctic Ice Sheet continues to thin,

A 2,300-year-old marble statuette discovered in Alexandria, Egypt, has offered new insights into how dwarves were perceived during the Ptolemaic period (332–150 B.C.). Depicting a muscular, nude dwarf in motion, the 4-inch sculpture reflects a combination of Egyptian and Greek artistic traditions. Despite missing its arms, legs, and part of the head, the craftsmanship of

The ancient Rujm el-Hiri site, situated in the Golan Heights and often referred to as the “Wheel of Ghosts,” has been re-evaluated, with its long-standing identification as an astronomical observatory coming under scrutiny. Researchers have determined that geodynamic changes over millions of years have altered the site’s orientation, raising questions about its original purpose. These

A breakthrough has been reported in particle physics, focusing on hypernuclei—rare atomic systems that form through the inclusion of hyperons, particles containing at least one “strange” quark. Unlike the ordinary nuclei of atoms made of protons and neutrons, hypernuclei exhibit unique properties that may offer insights into subatomic forces and the extreme conditions present in

A study has explored the techniques used by chimpanzees to select stone tools for cracking nuts, revealing possible similarities to methods employed by ancient human ancestors. Researchers observed that chimpanzees, like early hominins, exhibited a deliberate process in choosing stones based on specific properties rather than appearance. This insight has prompted discussions about parallels in

A novel crystal-based technology has been identified as a potential solution for sustainable cooling systems. Current refrigeration and air conditioning devices rely on liquid-based systems to absorb heat through evaporation and condensation. While effective, these fluids contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions when leaked, intensifying global warming. Efforts to counteract this environmental impact have led