Quantum nanostructures could slash AI energy use
Engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have designed quantum nanostructures that could make optical neural networks practical and cut the electricity demands of AI systems.
Science
Space, physics, materials, and general research.
Amoeba that thrives at 63°C breaks heat-tolerance record for complex life
A single-celled amoeba found in a Californian hot spring can feed and reproduce at temperatures once thought lethal to complex life, according to a study in Cell.
Chorus Waves' Role in Radiation Belt Electron Loss Questioned
New data suggest the plasma ripples known as chorus waves may be less important in stripping electrons from Earth's radiation belts than previously thought.
Super El Niño in 2026: Cities Face Blind Spots in Preparedness
Forecasters warn the coming El Niño could be among the strongest on record, yet urban preparedness plans overlook key risks.
Antibiotic Resistance Fight Needs Realistic Tests and Gene Monitoring
Two research strands highlight the need to account for bacterial environments and to monitor emerging resistance genes before they spread.
Red Sea brine pools hint at how early life got energy
New evidence from briny 'death pools' in the Red Sea supports the idea that early life ran on manganese and iron oxidation before oxygen and photosynthesis existed.
JWST Data Reveals Environment of Early Supermassive Black Holes
New measurements from the James Webb Space Telescope are helping researchers understand the conditions that allowed the first supermassive black holes to form.
Yellowstone Eruption Scenario: A Blow-by-Blow Account
A new detailed timeline of a hypothetical Yellowstone supereruption shows how the volcano's ancient past would repeat itself, with catastrophic effects.
Nurse Shark Mating and Angler Conflicts Reveal Conservation Gaps
Two research threads on nurse shark reproduction and Northeast angler conflicts show how much remains unknown about sharks.
World Cup Viewers See Unhealthy Branding Every 7 Seconds
A study of the largest FIFA World Cup in history found more than 93,000 on-screen appearances of junk food, alcohol, gambling, and speculative product brands.
Valdivia study shows how history and ecology shape urban segregation
A rare integrated analysis in the Global South links segregation in Valdivia, Chile, to historical and ecological context.
Cockatoos in Sydney show city survival through learned culture
Sulfur-crested cockatoos pass on urban skills like opening fountains and bins, revealing animal culture.
Gannet dive photo wins Bird Photographer of the Year
The winning image captures a gannet's plunge, highlighting the dramatic behaviour celebrated by the annual competition.
Clean-lake cyanobacterium shows little toxic potential
A common bloom-forming cyanobacterium in clear lakes produces far fewer toxins than its relatives, easing some concerns about visible mats.
Report: Geopolitical Rivalry Strains Global Cooperation, Reform Paths Exist
A new report finds that while conflict, rivalry, and authoritarian nationalism pressure global cooperation, the situation is more nuanced than headlines suggest.
Circular mRNA boosts microbial protein output sixfold
A new synthetic biology method converts easily degraded mRNA into a ring form inside microbes, raising protein yields up to six times.
Quantum networks advance: multi-user keys and 100-channel teleportation
Two new experiments push quantum communication toward practical multi-party networks.
Four Warning Signs Predict When a Tilted Hurricane Will Intensify
Analysis of nearly three decades of Hurricane Hunter flights identifies four structural features that signal a tilted storm is about to organize and strengthen.