https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_science/ Environmental science news. Learn about current research into rainforest deforestation, sustainable development, energy use, air quality monitoring, mining processes and hazardous waste disposal. Updated daily. en-us Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:59:25 EDT Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:59:25 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_science/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719231654.htm Ancient sediment reveals that some of K’gari’s deepest lakes vanished around 7,500 years ago, despite unusually heavy rainfall. The surprising discovery suggests changing winds and future climate shifts could threaten the sacred lakes known as the Eyes of K’gari. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:55:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719231654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719035939.htm Oxygen is disappearing from oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters at an alarming rate, threatening aquatic life and weakening the natural processes that help regulate Earth’s climate. Scientists warn that this widespread deoxygenation is closely connected to other major planetary threats, including warming, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:29:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719035939.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260718010145.htm China’s Chang’e-6 samples have uncovered a surprising difference between the Moon’s two hemispheres. Solar wind particles penetrated deeper into the far-side soil because Earth’s magnetosphere slows the particles that reach the near side. Noble gases locked inside the lunar regolith preserved evidence of this uneven bombardment. These gases may even help scientists reconstruct the ancient history of Earth’s magnetic shield. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:39:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260718010145.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260718010142.htm The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was likely an exceptionally rare CO chondrite from a distant region of the solar system. Its unusual chemistry suggests that planet-cooling dust and debris, rather than sulfur inside the asteroid, may have delivered the deadliest blow. Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:22:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260718010142.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260716023618.htm Seismic waves have revealed that the oceanic plate beneath the Ontong Java Plateau was dramatically transformed by the colossal volcanic activity that created it more than 100 million years ago. Researchers found a complex structure of horizontal layers cut through by vast swarms of vertical magma channels, along with unusually slow seismic waves suggesting that deep-rising magma chemically altered the plate itself. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:36:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260716023618.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260716023559.htm A catastrophic asteroid breakup may have triggered a huge wave of impacts across the inner solar system about 800 million years ago. The debris was launched from near a gravitational gateway controlled by Jupiter, sending fragments toward Earth, the Moon, and Mars. The bombardment may explain ancient lunar craters and could have contributed to major climate and biological changes on Earth. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:00:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260716023559.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260715083551.htm A major DNA study has rewritten the koala's evolutionary story, revealing that the species suffered a dramatic population collapse about 100,000 years ago, long before humans arrived in Australia. By calculating the koala's mutation rate for the first time and analyzing hundreds of genomes, researchers discovered that every living koala traces back to a small group that survived extreme climate shifts and later repopulated eastern Australia. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:51:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260715083551.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260715083527.htm Scientists have identified a hidden feedback loop that may explain how Earth has regulated its climate for tens of millions of years. As sea levels rose and fell, they changed how much phosphate reached the open ocean, affecting marine life and the amount of carbon buried beneath the seafloor. That burial removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping cool the planet. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:37:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260715083527.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225532.htm Tiny plastic particles in drinking water may be doing more than contaminating the environment. New research suggests nanoplastics can actually help harmful bacteria survive by strengthening the slimy biofilms they form inside water systems. These tougher biofilms become more resistant to disinfectants, making them harder to remove and potentially increasing public health risks. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:14:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260713000809.htm The world's longest-running soil warming experiment has revealed an unexpected climate concern. After nearly four decades, researchers found that warming can cause microbes to break down stable soil carbon that scientists once believed was largely protected. That releases extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating global warming. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:56:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260713000809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010122.htm Why do beaches today have seashells from clams and snails instead of brachiopods? A new study suggests the answer lies in Earth's greatest mass extinction, when warming oceans and falling oxygen levels wiped out animals that couldn't adapt. Species with body plans and metabolisms better suited to the changing conditions survived and went on to dominate the seas, offering a glimpse of how modern marine life could respond to climate change. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:02:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010122.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260710003540.htm Two striking Asian praying mantis species that have rapidly spread across Europe have now been officially classified as invasive, raising new concerns about their impact on native wildlife. Boosted by climate change and urban environments, these fast-breeding predators are expanding northward, where they prey on native insects, pollinators, and even small vertebrates while also reducing native mantis populations through deadly mating interactions. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 08:53:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260710003540.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260708022210.htm Oak trees keep absorbing carbon dioxide long after their annual growth has ended, revealing that photosynthesis and wood production are not as closely linked as scientists once believed. The finding could reshape forecasts of how much carbon forests will be able to store in a warmer future. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 02:28:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260708022210.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260701205009.htm Scientists have uncovered new evidence that fireworks can pollute both the air and water in ways that extend beyond the visible smoke. The findings show that leftover debris, fine particles, and airborne chemicals may affect ecosystems and increase people's exposure to air pollution during major celebrations. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:48:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260701205009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626030448.htm A new study found that not all geoengineering ideas are created equal. Brightening marine clouds over the eastern Pacific could dramatically weaken the El Niño cycle, triggering major changes to global weather patterns, while stratospheric aerosol injection left the system largely unchanged. Researchers say the results are a reminder that efforts to cool the planet could produce unexpected consequences if they are deployed without a full understanding of how Earth's climate works. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:31:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626030448.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625060214.htm A pioneering climate scientist is challenging a U.S. government report that cited his research while reaching what he says is the exact opposite conclusion. Benjamin Santer and his colleagues say decades of satellite data clearly reveal the atmospheric “fingerprint” of human-caused climate change. Their new peer-reviewed analysis argues the report contains major scientific errors and should not be relied upon in climate policy decisions. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:33:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625060214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625014830.htm Hawaii researchers are giving old fishing nets and recycled plastic a second life by mixing them into asphalt roads. Early tests found these roads didn't release more plastic particles than standard pavement, with tire wear overwhelming any plastic signal from the recycled material. If future studies confirm the roads are durable, the technology could help tackle both marine pollution and overflowing landfills. Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:53:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625014830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623011230.htm Scientists have finally confirmed the origin of the mysterious Silverpit Crater beneath the North Sea. New evidence shows that an asteroid about 160 meters wide struck the seabed roughly 43 to 46 million years ago. The impact triggered a tsunami more than 100 meters high and left behind a crater that geologists debated for years. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:44:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623011230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623011129.htm A cave in New Zealand has yielded fossils from a lost ecosystem that existed about 1 million years ago, including a possible flying ancestor of the kākāpō. The discovery reveals that volcanoes and climate upheaval were reshaping the country’s wildlife and driving extinctions long before humans arrived. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 03:30:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623011129.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091524.htm A new study reveals that goldfish can do far more than survive in the wild—they can fundamentally reshape freshwater ecosystems. Researchers found they cloud water, damage food webs, and hurt native fish populations, sometimes triggering major ecological shifts. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:45:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091524.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621031531.htm Ocean temperature patterns appear to act as a natural brake on the global spread of drought, preventing vast areas of the planet from drying out simultaneously. Researchers found that shifting climate cycles create regional drought hotspots while reducing the likelihood of a worldwide agricultural crisis. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:30:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621031531.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100426.htm Trees planted to protect farmland from wind may not be the biodiversity boost many assume. In Japan’s wetland farming landscapes, shelterbelts benefited some birds but sharply reduced grassland and wetland species that need open space. Researchers found grassland bird abundance dropped by more than 70% near shelterbelts. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:14:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100426.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100424.htm A surprising ecological makeover unfolded when mountain lions began frequenting a small preserve south of San Francisco. Deer activity dropped, plants recovered, and shifts among predators like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes followed. The study shows that powerful “trophic cascades” aren’t limited to remote wilderness—they can happen in small, suburban preserves too. Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:12:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619101343.htm Scientists found that thawing permafrost can trigger increased rock weathering, a natural process that absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. In some regions, this carbon uptake was strong enough to fully offset — or even surpass — river greenhouse gas emissions. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:07:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619101343.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260618041519.htm A new study from Northern Arizona University is raising red flags about a widely used global emissions database from Climate TRACE, a consortium co-founded by Al Gore. Researchers found that the database may be dramatically undercounting carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks in cities—by an average of 70% across 260 U.S. cities, with some cities showing gaps of more than 90%. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:15:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260618041519.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260617032157.htm A major study of Australian native bees found that stem-nesting species may be the first to feel the impact of climate change. Unlike bees that nest underground, they have few ways to escape dangerous heat. Researchers also discovered that tropical bees are particularly vulnerable, even when they are already adapted to hot environments. The findings suggest bee behavior could be a key factor in determining which species survive a warming world. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:59:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260617032157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260615033846.htm Researchers discovered that hydrogen radicals generated by intense UV light can break down stubborn PFAS “forever chemicals” without added chemicals. The breakthrough reveals a key mechanism that could lead to greener and more effective technologies for permanently destroying these pollutants. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:30:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260615033846.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260614012002.htm NASA satellites have detected a vast pulse of warm water reaching the coast of South America, signaling that El Niño is likely developing. The warm water is being carried eastward by massive ocean waves known as Kelvin waves, which also cause sea levels to rise. El Niño can reshape weather patterns worldwide, bringing floods, droughts, and temperature extremes. Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:09:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260614012002.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260614011845.htm Beneath our feet lies a vast hidden fungal superhighway that helps sustain much of life on Earth—and scientists have now mapped it for the first time. Researchers estimate that these underground networks stretch an astonishing 110 quadrillion kilometers, move about 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide into soils each year, and play a major role in supporting plants and regulating the climate. Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:00:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260614011845.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034234.htm A new catalyst design could significantly improve the conversion of CO2 into methanol, an important fuel and chemical feedstock. Researchers separated key reaction steps across different catalyst sites, avoiding a long-standing trade-off between speed and efficiency. The result was about three times more methanol production than standard commercial catalysts. Sun, 14 Jun 2026 08:20:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612032047.htm Alaska’s glaciers are proving to be highly sensitive to warming temperatures. Using radar satellites to monitor more than 3,000 glaciers, researchers found that every 1°C (1.8°F) increase in average summer temperature extends glacier melting by about three weeks. The study also revealed that intense heat waves can strip away up to 28% more protective snow cover, exposing ice much earlier than normal and accelerating ice loss. Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:45:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612032047.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260611024555.htm Scientists have developed biodegradable protein beads made from dairy and tofu waste that can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more efficiently than many current technologies. Unlike conventional systems that require large amounts of energy, the new method releases captured CO2 using a simple room-temperature process. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:21:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260611024555.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260610003054.htm Researchers propose that tiny mineral nanoparticles may have been the hidden engines that transformed Earth’s early chemistry into the first building blocks of life. By acting as natural catalysts and energy processors, these “nanozymes” could help explain how lifeless matter gradually became living systems. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:01:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260610003054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260609025509.htm A surprising study suggests that chemicals introduced to protect the ozone layer may have unintentionally created a growing global pollution problem. Researchers found that refrigerants and certain anesthetic gases have generated more than 335,000 tonnes of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a highly persistent "forever chemical," that has been deposited across Earth's surface since 2000. The pollutant is now showing up everywhere from rainwater to remote Arctic ice, and scientists expect levels to keep rising. Tue, 09 Jun 2026 03:11:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260609025509.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260606015137.htm Scientists warn that free-living amoebae may be an underappreciated public health threat, capable of causing deadly infections and shielding other dangerous microbes from water treatment. Climate change and aging infrastructure could help these resilient organisms spread more widely in the years ahead. Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:35:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260606015137.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260605023420.htm Researchers have shown that controlled fire whirls can clean up oil spills faster and more cleanly than traditional burning methods. The spinning flames consumed up to 95% of the oil, cut soot emissions by 40%, and could help prevent spills from reaching sensitive marine habitats. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:34:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260605023420.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260604044238.htm Mangroves are famous for trapping vast amounts of carbon, helping slow climate change. However, a new study suggests rising sea levels could eventually reduce that benefit across entire forests. As flooding becomes too extreme, mangroves may die off and their carbon-rich soils could erode, potentially turning these coastal ecosystems from carbon sinks into carbon sources. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:03:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260604044238.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023113.htm One of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded this early in the Pacific season did more than unleash flooding and extreme winds—it sent enormous ripples all the way into the upper atmosphere. As Super Typhoon Sinlaku rapidly exploded into a category 5-equivalent storm, satellites captured rare gravity waves spreading outward like rings on a pond, visible high above Earth through a faint glow in the atmosphere. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:53:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023113.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021659.htm A massive global analysis found that nitrogen pollution can either speed up or dramatically slow the natural "breathing" of forest soils, depending on the ecosystem's condition. The results reveal hidden tipping points that could affect how forests store carbon and cope with climate change. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:11:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021659.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021655.htm Researchers discovered a way to reverse the direction of energy flow in turbulence, challenging a theory that has stood for more than 80 years. The finding could open new possibilities for controlling ocean currents, improving medical technologies, and enhancing climate forecasting. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:40:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021655.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021648.htm Scientists are venturing into the Grand Canyon’s hidden cave networks to solve a mystery: how snowmelt travels underground to supply the park’s vital springs. Their discoveries could help protect the canyon’s water from drought, contamination, and other growing threats. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:21:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021648.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025356.htm Kitchen sponges release microplastics as they wear down during everyday use, with some sponge types shedding far more than others. Researchers estimated that millions of households could collectively release hundreds of tons of microplastics annually. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:52:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025356.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025345.htm A breakthrough hydrogen-production method could make clean fuel far cheaper and easier to generate. Researchers at the University of Birmingham developed a perovskite-based catalyst that splits water into hydrogen at much lower temperatures than existing technologies, potentially allowing factories, steel plants, cement works, and renewable energy sites to turn waste heat into valuable hydrogen. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:47:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025324.htm A world-famous conservation program that helped save Sweden’s endangered wolverines is now struggling as funding stagnates and local trust erodes. Researchers say the decline offers a cautionary lesson: protecting wildlife requires long-term commitment, not just early success. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:55:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025324.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053418.htm Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine. Special laser-textured metal panels use sunlight to evaporate water while automatically moving salt deposits away from the working surface, preventing clogging. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries. Sat, 30 May 2026 05:34:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053418.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260528082455.htm A new study suggests Antarctica’s ice sheet hit a climate tipping point about one million years ago, making it far more reactive to temperature and CO2 changes. Researchers warn this surprising sensitivity could offer clues about how the continent may respond to today’s warming world. Fri, 29 May 2026 00:16:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260528082455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023218.htm A casual walk through an Ithaca cemetery led to the discovery of a gigantic hidden bee population — roughly 5.5 million ground-nesting bees packed beneath the soil. Scientists believe it may be one of the largest bee aggregations ever documented and say the insects are crucial pollinators for apple orchards and other crops. The bees have likely lived there for more than 100 years, thriving in the cemetery’s undisturbed sandy soil. Thu, 28 May 2026 04:29:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023216.htm New research suggests Earth’s climate can swing wildly on surprisingly short timescales — even during hot, ice-free greenhouse periods. By studying ancient sediments from the Late Cretaceous, scientists uncovered repeating climate shifts tied to tiny changes in Earth’s orbital wobble. These cycles may have repeatedly pushed the planet between humid and arid states every few thousand years. Wed, 27 May 2026 02:32:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022021.htm Humanity may already be living far beyond what Earth can sustainably support, according to a sweeping new study analyzing more than 200 years of population and environmental data. Researchers found that while population growth once fueled innovation and expansion, the trend shifted decades ago as the planet’s resources became increasingly strained. Wed, 27 May 2026 02:17:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022021.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000450.htm Scientists have created a global “treasure map” for rare earth elements by uncovering where the strange volcanic rocks that contain them are most likely to form. By combining thousands of rock samples with seismic images of Earth’s deep interior, the team discovered that these metal-rich rocks tend to appear along the ancient, thick roots of continents. These unusual rocks, once seen as geological oddities, are now incredibly important because they hold many of the materials used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. Tue, 26 May 2026 08:40:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023132.htm A breakthrough lithium-extraction method could help solve one of clean energy’s dirtiest problems. Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a fast new technique that pulls lithium directly from salty underground brines using a temperature-sensitive solvent, avoiding the giant evaporation ponds that can take years and drain precious water supplies. Even better, the method works on low-quality lithium sources that current technologies struggle to use. Sat, 23 May 2026 09:42:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023132.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023116.htm The world’s oceans are rising at an accelerating pace, and scientists now say they can fully explain what’s driving it. Warming seawater is the biggest factor, while melting glaciers and polar ice sheets are increasingly pouring more water into the oceans each year. Researchers also solved a puzzling mismatch in sea level measurements that had lingered for years. Fri, 22 May 2026 02:31:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260521072359.htm Mysterious red auroras spotted over Japan were found reaching astonishingly high altitudes, even during space storms considered relatively mild. The discovery suggests hidden solar activity may be stronger than scientists realized — with potential consequences for satellites orbiting Earth. Thu, 21 May 2026 23:02:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260521072359.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260520093756.htm Jupiter’s storms aren’t just gigantic — they may unleash lightning far more powerful than anything on Earth. Using NASA’s Juno spacecraft, scientists discovered that some lightning bolts on the gas giant could pack up to 100 times the punch of Earth’s lightning, and possibly much more. The findings reveal that Jupiter’s atmosphere works very differently from our own, with massive storms building enormous amounts of energy before erupting in violent flashes across cloud tops towering more than 100 kilometers high. Thu, 21 May 2026 02:46:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260520093756.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260520093719.htm The French Riviera may look like an unlikely place for a tsunami disaster, but scientists warn the threat is far more real than most people realize. Historical events and new modeling show that destructive waves have already struck the Mediterranean coast — and could hit again with very little warning. Some tsunami scenarios could reach beaches in under 10 minutes, leaving almost no time for traditional alerts. Wed, 20 May 2026 23:14:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260520093719.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519224317.htm Scientists in Canada have discovered that ancient underground rocks are naturally producing hydrogen gas — and lots of it. Measurements from mine boreholes in Ontario show the gas can flow continuously for years, offering a potential new source of clean energy called “white hydrogen.” Researchers say this hidden resource could help power industries and remote communities while cutting carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Wed, 20 May 2026 08:46:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519224317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519003311.htm For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival. But a groundbreaking discovery in West Africa is rewriting that story. Researchers uncovered evidence that humans were living deep within rainforest environments in present-day Côte d'Ivoire around 150,000 years ago — far earlier than anyone thought possible. Wed, 20 May 2026 02:22:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519003311.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260515233350.htm Scientists have uncovered evidence that the vanished Tethys Ocean may have sculpted Central Asia’s mountainous landscape during the dinosaur era. Using decades of geological data, researchers found that distant tectonic activity linked to the ancient ocean appears to match periods of rapid mountain formation. Surprisingly, climate and mantle processes played only a minor role. The discovery could reshape how scientists understand mountain building across the planet. Sun, 17 May 2026 20:40:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260515233350.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260515233327.htm Rivers around the world are quietly running out of oxygen — and climate change is emerging as the main culprit. A sweeping global analysis of more than 21,000 river systems found that nearly 80% have been steadily losing dissolved oxygen over the past four decades, threatening fish, biodiversity, and the overall health of freshwater ecosystems. Surprisingly, tropical rivers are being hit the hardest, even more than rivers in rapidly warming polar regions. Sat, 16 May 2026 23:35:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260515233327.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260513221818.htm Researchers in Japan traced a hidden medieval solar storm using ancient tree rings and centuries-old sky observations. The team linked reports of eerie red auroras with spikes of carbon-14 trapped in buried wood, revealing a powerful solar radiation event around 1200 CE. The findings suggest the Sun was far more active at the time, with unusually short solar cycles. Thu, 14 May 2026 01:55:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260513221818.htm