An international research team led by microbiologists Marc Mussmann and Alexander Loy at the University of Vienna has uncovered a completely new type of microbial metabolism. The newly identified microorganisms, known as MISO bacteria, are able to “breathe” iron minerals by oxidizing toxic sulfide. The scientists discovered that the reaction between hydrogen sulfide — a…
Since the early 20th century, scientists have gathered convincing evidence that the Universe is expanding — and that this expansion is accelerating. The force responsible for this acceleration is called dark energy, a mysterious property of spacetime thought to push galaxies apart. For decades, the prevailing cosmological model, known as Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM),…
Phosphorus is one of six essential elements that make life on Earth possible. When it bonds with hydrogen, it forms phosphine (PH3), a highly toxic and explosive gas. This compound is found in the atmospheres of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and has long been viewed as a potential biosignature for anaerobic life. On…
Depression and anxiety are the most widespread mental health disorders in the world. Around 300 million people live with depression, and roughly 301 million have an anxiety disorder, affecting nearly 8 percent of the global population. Yet for many, finding the right treatment can be a slow and frustrating process. When patients first seek help,…
Profit margins are the most common measure of financial performance. They can be positive (if the hospital earns a profit) or negative (if the hospital loses money). Reported margins vary depending on the measure used, how the measure is calculated, the data, accounting decisions, and how data are summarized (e.g., averages vs medians). Several other…
Firefly is powerful, and I won’t be able to cover everything you can do with it. Instead, I’ll walk you through a simple workflow of generating an image using an AI model, and then using that image as the starting frame to generate a short, looping video. At the top, select New. You can either…
Katharine Da CostaSouth of England More than 120 British-born red kite chicks have been released in south-west Spain A British red kite emerges from an aviary in the remote hills of western Spain and takes flight. At six months old, this is its first taste of freedom. Without a sound, it soars high in the…
New research from NASA’s Cassini mission reveals that Enceladus, one of Saturn’s most intriguing moons and a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life, is releasing heat from both poles. This surprising discovery suggests the icy world has the long-term thermal balance needed for life to possibly take hold. The findings were published on November 7 in…
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) experienced a major retreat about 9,000 years ago, triggered by a powerful feedback between melting ice and ocean currents. Led by Professor Yusuke Suganuma of the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) and the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI),…
In California’s Death Valley, where summer heat often surpasses 120 degrees Fahrenheit, survival appears almost impossible. Yet, among the cracked soil and intense sunlight, one native plant not only endures but flourishes. That plant, Tidestromia oblongifolia, has helped scientists at Michigan State University reveal how life can persist in such extreme conditions. Their findings offer…
