Artist’s impression of the planet K2-18b and its host star ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser Astronomers claim to have seen the strongest evidence so far for life on another planet. But other researchers have urged caution until the findings can be verified by other groups and alternative, non-biological explanations can be ruled out. “These are the first…
Artist’s impression of the exoplanet K2-18b A. Smith/N. Mandhusudhan One of the strongest signs of life outside Earth was announced this week, but some astronomers cautioned that it is extremely difficult to verify. That raises the question: will there ever come a point where we have definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life, and when might that…
Canadarm2, the robotic arm on the ISS built by the Canadian Space Agency ESA/NASA The most accurate clock in space launches within days and will begin building a highly synchronised network out of the best clocks on Earth. But the project, decades in preparation, will only operate for a few years before it burns up…
Greenland sharks’ eyes don’t seem to deteriorate with age WaterFrame/Alamy Greenland sharks, the longest-lived vertebrates in the world, show no signs of physical deterioration in their retinas even after living for hundreds of years. The finding is especially surprising as some scientists suspected the animals were functionally blind since they live in such deep, dark…
Dolphins show signs of language-like communication Martin Strmiska/Alamy Dozens of dolphins have been recorded making specific whistle sounds that seem to refer to a shared meaning, expressing either questioning or alarm. Some researchers are claiming this shared usage is the best evidence yet that these intelligent marine mammals have a language-like communication system. We know…
Mark Poynting and Esme Stallard BBC Climate & Science Getty Images The world’s tropical forests, which provide a crucial buffer against climate change, disappeared faster than ever recorded last year, new satellite analysis suggests. Researchers estimate that 67,000 sq km (26,000 sq mi) of these pristine, old-growth forests were lost in 2024 – an area…
Researchers at Swansea University have discovered that baboons walk in lines, not for safety or strategy, but simply to stay close to their friends. Baboons often travel in structured line formations known as ‘progressions’ as they move through their home range. Previous studies offered conflicting explanations for this behavior. Some proposed that the order was…
Dublin is known as a city where you can enjoy a few pints of Guiness, get a warm welcome from the locals and hear lively traditional music drifting out of pubs and into the city air. But it’s not just music floating on the breeze. The air of Dublin also contains cannabis, poppy, even magic…
Thames Water has decided to “pause” its scheme to pay out big bonuses to senior executives linked with securing its £3bn rescue loan. The decision comes after Downing Street said bosses at the troubled firm “rewarding themselves for failure is clearly not acceptable”. The company’s “retention scheme” was set to amount to 50% of senior…
Helen Briggs BBC environment correspondent•@hbriggs Getty Images Clownfish are one of the most recognisable reef fish, known for their orange and white stripes Fish similar to those made famous by the movie Finding Nemo are shrinking to cope with marine heatwaves, a study has found. The research recorded clownfish living on coral reefs slimmed down…
