Italian ryegrass is a common weed in field crops John Cussans Weeds resistant to the herbicide glyphosate have been found in the UK for the first time. The species in question, called Italian ryegrass, is widespread in the UK, but samples impervious to the chemical have only been found on one farm in Kent. Glyphosate … Read more
Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) captured on December 31, 2024 using a telescope in RÃo Hurtado, Chile Lionel Majzik A comet that has surprised astronomers could shine as brightly as Venus in the night sky when it passes Earth in the next few days. Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) was discovered last April by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact … Read more
The Horse Hill oil field was discovered in 2015 Invicta Kent Media/Shutterstock More than 100 earthquakes that rocked southern England were likely triggered by oil extraction, experts say. Previous research had ruled out a link, but fresh information about the area’s geology has established a likely link. The earthquakes were all relatively small, measuring between … Read more
The Palisades Fire is moving toward homes in Los Angeles Ethan Swope/Associated Press/Alamy Fast-moving wildfires in the Los Angeles area are burning out of control long after the fire season normally ends in California. Strong Santa Ana winds are not unusual this time of year, but they have arrived after months of drought. The combination … Read more
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has likely infected humans for centuries ROGER HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Alarmist headlines warning that China is once again being overwhelmed by a mysterious new virus have dominated the past few days. But the virus reported to be responsible for a rise in respiratory infections there, called human metapneumovirus, or hMPV, is actually … Read more
A wastewater treatment plant in California Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Wastewater treatment plants are a major source of PFAS contamination in drinking water in the United States—they discharge enough “forever chemicals” to raise concentrations above safe levels for an estimated 15 million people or more. They can also release long-lasting prescription drugs into the water supply. … Read more
Blinking can do more than just keep our eyes healthy gaiamoments/Getty Images Blinking serves a vital physiological function, removing debris from our eyes and keeping them lubricated. But now researchers have found that it can also have a cognitive role. In 1945, Arthur Hall at the University of Sheffield in the UK reported on the … Read more
Gillian Anderson (left) and David Duchovny as agents Scully and Mulder in The X-Files AJ Pics/Alamy Television hasn’t always been kind to science fiction, with smaller budgets to throw at special effects and epic, universe-spanning narratives that were canceled before their time. But despite all the obstacles, countless series have proven that long-form storytelling on … Read more
Don’t call your favorite AI “doctor” just yet Just_Super/Getty Images Advanced artificial intelligence models score well on professional medical exams, but still fail to perform one of the most crucial medical tasks: talking to patients to gather relevant medical information and deliver an accurate diagnosis. “While large language models show impressive results on multiple-choice tests, … Read more
The vampire-like Hylomys macarong hedgehog Alexei V. Abramov An extraordinary 234 new species were described by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia in 2023. The findings, announced in a report by conservation organization WWF, include 173 plant species, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and three mammals. Since 1997, more than 3500 … Read more