The JWST image of NGC 628. The new Webb image of NGC 628. (Judy Schmidt/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)Three years ago, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched, marking a monumental moment in space exploration. As the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built, it has redefined our understanding of the Universe in just a...
One of the specimens of Saccus xixiangensis, no more than 1 millimeter in diameter. (Liu et al., Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 2025)Tiny mineralized spheres are offering fresh insights into the history of life on Earth. These millimeter-sized fossils, over 535 million years old, are the fossilized embryos of early Cambrian animals.Belonging to the Ecdysozoa group—which includes insects,...
A groundbreaking discovery in the Ecuadorian Amazon could reshape our understanding of human history. Archaeologists have unearthed a massive structure buried beneath sediment and vegetation—a giant ship of mysterious origin that has remained concealed for over 10,000 years.The discovery occurred in the remote and hard-to-reach Pastaza province, where a team led by Dr. Isabel...
Credit: DepositphotosFrequent ScienceAlert readers are likely aware of how widespread microplastics are—found in human tissue, ancient rocks, and bottled water—but they may be surprised by the sheer number of these tiny particles hiding in a single tea bag.However, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Spain have discovered that a single tea...
Credit: DepositphotosA recent social media trend has resurfaced a technique from the late 1970s known as "cough CPR." The viral claim suggests that coughing rhythmically can help individuals survive a heart attack when alone by keeping their heart beating. While the idea is dramatic and attention-grabbing, it has raised significant concerns among medical professionals.Origins...
Artist's impression of the brain's surprisingly slow speed of thoughtJieyu ZhengWe like to think of ourselves as quick thinkers, but new research from Caltech reveals that our brains process information at an astonishingly slow rate of about 10 bits per second. Despite our sensory systems gathering data 100 million times faster, this leisurely pace...
Credit: PixabayA study from Lund University, Sweden, reinforces the link between added sugar and heart disease but reveals a surprising finding: occasional sweet treats may reduce cardiovascular risk compared to a strict "zero-sugar" diet. However, this benefit does not apply to other sugar sources like sweetened drinks or sugary toppings."This surprising contrast highlights the...
NASA visualization of global temperature anomalies. (NASA Earth Observatory)The world has been steadily warming for decades, but a sudden, extraordinary surge in global heat has pushed the climate into uncharted territory, leaving scientists grappling for answers.Over the past two years, temperature records have been shattered repeatedly, defying even the most advanced climate models. While it’s...
Credit: DepositphotosStaying hydrated is widely recognized as essential for health, but a new study delves into the specific benefits of drinking plenty of water—revealing more advantages than you might expect.Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed 18 prior studies, with a median of 48 participants per study. Most of these studies...
Credit: PixabayPromising cancer drug dostarlimab is advancing toward broader availability after receiving Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. This designation aims to expedite its development and market approval, potentially cutting years off its timeline if further testing is successful.Dostarlimab (Jemperli), a PD-1-blocking antibody, showed groundbreaking results in clinical trials, eliminating rectal cancer tumors without...
