Tech firms look for natural food colours
Suzanne Bearne Technology Reporter Fermentalg There are hundreds of thousands of microalgae species French firm…
NASA just confirmed its 6,000th alien world. Some are truly bizarre
The official number of exoplanets — planets outside our solar system — tracked by NASA has reached 6,000. Confirmed planets are added to the count on a rolling basis by scientists from around the world, so no single planet is considered the 6,000th entry. The number is monitored by NASA’s Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI), based…
Stunning fossil from the Gobi Desert rewrites dinosaur history
A “teenaged” pachycephalosaur from Mongolia’s Gobi Desert may provide answers to lingering questions around the dinosaur group, according to new research published on September 17 in the journal Nature. The fossil represents a new species of pachycephalosaur and is both the oldest and most complete skeleton of this dinosaur group found to date. “Pachycephalosaurs are iconic…
Hidden gene trick lets ants smell with super precision
Ant societies are built on scent. Pheromones guide the insects to food, warn them of predators, and regulate the rhythms of their colonies. This chemical communication system is governed by a simple rule: one receptor, one neuron. Ant genomes contain hundreds of odorant receptor genes, each encoding a receptor tuned to specific chemicals. Were a…
Strange new hybrid bird spotted in Texas backyard
Biologists at The University of Texas at Austin, who have reported discovering a bird that’s the natural result of a green jay and a blue jay’s mating, say it may be among the first examples of a hybrid animal that exists because of recent changing patterns in the climate. The two different parent species are…
DNA from old ants reveals a hidden insect apocalypse in Fiji
From pollinating flowers to enabling decomposition and supporting nutrient cycles, insects’ abundance and biodiversity are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, recent studies showing population declines have raised alarm about how insects are coping with the modern world. Understanding whether recent observations are part of longer timescale trends can help inform global conservation efforts, and…
Simple therapies outperform drugs for knee arthritis pain relief
Knee braces, water therapy and exercise are the most promising non-drug therapies for treating knee osteoarthritis, according to a new meta-analysis publishing June 18, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Yuan Luo of the First People’s Hospital of Neijiang, China. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common and often debilitating condition that affects millions…
LFW Saturday: Patrick McDowell, Roksanda, Completedworks, The Ouze, and Lueder
Published September 21, 2025 In a busy 24 hours of London Fashion Week, two couture-worthy houses, Patrick McDowell and Roksanda, held statement shows, along with two jewelry happenings, and a Berlin winter rave moment in a basement on the Strand. Patrick McDowell There are not that many bona fide couturiers in London, but Patrick McDowell…
can muscle-boosting supplement help with brain fog?
Ruth CleggHealth and wellbeing reporter BBC I have some in my cupboard. And I’m far from alone – creatine has become the supplement of choice for millions. Originally known for enhancing the performance of bodybuilders and athletes in the 1990s, this white powder is now entering the spice cupboards (well, that’s where I store mine)…
Ames Watson acquires North America business of embattled retailer Claire’s
Published September 20, 2025 Ames Watson announced on Friday the acquisition of Claire’s North America business for $140 million, with the privately held investment firm looking to revitalize the embattled U.S. retailer. Claire’s The Columbia-based firm said it is “committed to preserving Claire’s heritage while positioning the company for sustained growth,” and “will focus on exclusivity, customization,…
