https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/caving/ Caving news. Learn about the latest cave research and discoveries, spelunking methods and more. en-us Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:19:25 EDT Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:19:25 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/caving/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224449.htm Asteroid impacts may have helped kick-start life on Earth by creating hot, chemical-rich environments ideal for early biology. These impact-generated hydrothermal systems could have lasted thousands of years—long enough for life’s building blocks to form. Scientists now think these environments may have been common on early Earth, making them a strong candidate for where life began. The idea could also guide the search for life on other worlds. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:44:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224449.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222930.htm Far beneath the ocean near Japan, scientists have discovered that the magma system linked to the most powerful eruption of the Holocene is slowly rebuilding. By using seismic imaging, researchers mapped a large magma reservoir under the Kikai caldera and confirmed it is the same system that fueled the massive eruption 7,300 years ago. However, the magma now present is newly injected, not leftover, as shown by changes in the chemistry of recent volcanic material and the growth of a lava dome over thousands of years. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:39:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222930.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325005924.htm Deep inside a cave, scientists uncovered fossils from 16 species, including a newfound kākāpō ancestor that may have been able to fly. These remains reveal that New Zealand’s ecosystems were constantly disrupted by volcanic eruptions and rapid climate shifts. Long before humans, waves of extinction and replacement reshaped the islands’ wildlife. It’s a rare window into a missing chapter of natural history. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:58:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325005924.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012636.htm Scientists have uncovered the oldest direct evidence yet that Earth’s tectonic plates were on the move 3.5 billion years ago. By analyzing magnetic fingerprints in ancient rocks, they reconstructed how parts of the planet slowly drifted and even rotated over time. This challenges long-standing ideas that early Earth may have had a rigid, unmoving surface. Instead, it suggests the planet was already dynamic—and possibly setting the stage for life—much earlier than expected. Sat, 21 Mar 2026 03:37:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044714.htm A mysterious spike of platinum buried deep in Greenland’s ice has long fueled theories of a catastrophic comet or asteroid strike 12,800 years ago—possibly triggering a sudden return to icy conditions known as the Younger Dryas. But new research points to a far less dramatic, yet still powerful culprit: volcanic eruptions. Scientists found the platinum signal doesn’t match space debris and actually appeared decades after the cooling began, ruling out an impact as the trigger. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:01:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044714.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260224023221.htm Earth’s magnetic shield is shifting in dramatic ways. New data from ESA’s Swarm satellites show that the South Atlantic Anomaly — a vast weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field — has grown by nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014. Even more striking, a region southwest of Africa has begun weakening even faster in recent years, hinting at unusual activity deep within Earth’s molten outer core. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:45:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260224023221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025545.htm Even when Earth was locked in its most extreme deep freeze, the planet’s climate may not have been as silent and still as once believed. New research from ancient Scottish rocks reveals that during Snowball Earth — when ice sheets reached the tropics and the planet resembled a giant snowball from space — climate rhythms similar to today’s seasons, solar cycles, and even El Niño–like patterns were still pulsing beneath the ice. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:48:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025545.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260205050039.htm Deep inside Earth, two massive hot rock structures have been quietly shaping the planet’s magnetic field for millions of years. Using ancient magnetic records and advanced simulations, scientists discovered that these formations influence the movement of liquid iron in Earth’s core. Some parts of the magnetic field remained stable over vast stretches of time, while others changed dramatically. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:53:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260205050039.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260117053529.htm Scientists are uncovering a hidden and surprisingly complex earthquake zone beneath Northern California by tracking swarms of tiny earthquakes that are far too weak to feel. These faint tremors are revealing what lies beneath the surface where the San Andreas fault meets the Cascadia subduction zone, one of the most dangerous seismic regions in North America. Sat, 17 Jan 2026 05:35:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260117053529.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114084115.htm Scientists have identified a newly recognized threat lurking beneath the ocean’s surface: sudden episodes of underwater darkness that can last days or even months. Caused by storms, sediment runoff, algae blooms, and murky water, these “marine darkwaves” dramatically reduce light reaching the seafloor, putting kelp forests, seagrass, and other light-dependent life at risk. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:45:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114084115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001918.htm Earthquakes happen daily, sometimes with devastating consequences, yet predicting them remains out of reach. What scientists can do is map the hidden layers beneath the surface that control how strongly the ground shakes. A new approach speeds up complex seismic simulations by a factor of about 1,000, making risk assessments far more practical. While it won’t forecast the next quake, it could help cities better prepare for one. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:15:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228020002.htm A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile in July 2024—and it wasn’t supposed to be that strong. Unlike Chile’s infamous shallow “megathrust” quakes, this one ruptured deep inside the Earth, where shaking is usually weaker at the surface. Researchers discovered that the quake broke long-held assumptions by tearing through hotter rock layers than expected, fueled by a rare chain reaction that accelerated the rupture. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:34:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228020002.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080727.htm When Earth was a molten inferno, water may have been locked safely underground rather than lost to space. Researchers discovered that bridgmanite deep in the mantle can store far more water at high temperatures than previously believed. During Earth’s cooling, this hidden reservoir could have held water volumes comparable to today’s oceans. Over time, that buried water helped drive geology and rebuild the planet’s surface environment. Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:09:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043231.htm Scientists have uncovered a missing feedback in Earth’s carbon cycle that could cause global warming to overshoot into an ice age. As the planet warms, nutrient-rich runoff fuels plankton blooms that bury huge amounts of carbon in the ocean. In low-oxygen conditions, this process can spiral out of control, cooling Earth far beyond its original state. While this won’t save us from modern climate change, it may explain Earth’s most extreme ancient ice ages. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:02:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043231.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084159.htm A rare, ultra-long earthquake in Myanmar revealed that mature faults can deliver their full force directly to the surface. The discovery could mean stronger shaking near faults like California’s San Andreas than current models predict. Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:11:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084159.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100631.htm Researchers found that eroded lava rubble beneath the South Atlantic can trap enormous amounts of CO2 for tens of millions of years. These porous breccia deposits store far more carbon than previously sampled ocean crust. The discovery reshapes how scientists view the long-term balance of carbon between the ocean, rocks, and atmosphere. It also reveals a hidden mechanism that helps stabilize Earth’s climate over geological timescales. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:42:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100631.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081916.htm An immense pocket of hot rock deep beneath the Appalachians may be a wandering relic of the breakup between Greenland and North America 80 million years ago. Researchers suggest this slow-moving “mantle wave” drifted over 1,800 km to reach its current position, gradually reshaping the continent from below and even helping prop up the Appalachian Mountains long after tectonic activity at the surface ceased. Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:19:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081916.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081909.htm Researchers studying Yellowstone’s depths discovered that small earthquakes can recharge underground microbial life. The quakes exposed new rock and fluids, creating bursts of chemical energy that microbes can use. Both the water chemistry and the microbial communities shifted dramatically in response. This dynamic may help explain how life survives in deep, dark environments. Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:12:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081909.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115431.htm About 4.5 billion years ago, a colossal impact between the young Earth and a mysterious planetary body called Theia changed everything—reshaping Earth, forming the Moon, and scattering clues across space rocks. By examining subtle isotopic fingerprints in Earth and Moon samples, scientists have reconstructed Theia’s possible composition and birthplace. Sun, 23 Nov 2025 13:03:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115431.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090733.htm Scientists have uncovered a long-missing piece of the volcanic puzzle: rising magma doesn’t just form explosive gas bubbles when pressure drops—it can do so simply by being sheared and “kneaded” inside a volcano’s conduit. These shear forces can trigger early bubble growth, create escape channels for gas, and sometimes turn potentially catastrophic magmas into surprisingly gentle lava flows. Sat, 22 Nov 2025 02:00:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090733.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002558.htm Scientists may finally be closing in on the origins of two colossal, mysterious structures buried nearly 1,800 miles inside Earth—hidden formations that have puzzled researchers for decades. New modeling suggests that slow leakage of elements from Earth’s core into the mantle prevented the planet from developing strong chemical layers after its primordial magma-ocean era. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:32:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002558.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm In the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma’s pod has developed a chillingly precise technique for hunting young great white sharks — flipping them upside down to paralyze and extract their nutrient-rich livers. The behavior, filmed and documented by marine biologists, reveals a level of intelligence and social learning that suggests cultural transmission of hunting tactics among orcas. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:30:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm UC Davis scientists uncovered Aptostichus ramirezae, a new trapdoor spider species living under California’s dunes. Genetic analysis revealed it was distinct from its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The species was named after pioneering arachnologist Martina Ramirez. Researchers warn that shrinking coastal habitats could threaten both species’ survival. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:28:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011216.htm Earth’s climate balance isn’t just governed by the slow weathering of silicate rocks, which capture carbon and stabilize temperature over eons. New research reveals that biological and oceanic feedback loops—especially involving algae, phosphorus, and oxygen—can swing the planet’s temperature far more dramatically. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 05:02:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224824.htm Scientists have traced the origins of complex life to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna 1.5 billion years ago. This tectonic shift reduced volcanic carbon emissions, expanded shallow seas, and boosted oxygen availability. Far from a stagnant era, Earth’s “Boring Billion” was a time of crucial transformation that made the planet more habitable. The study links deep-Earth movements directly to the rise of eukaryotic life. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 22:48:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023806.htm A massive crater hidden beneath the Atlantic seafloor has been confirmed as the result of an asteroid strike from 66 million years ago. The new 3D seismic data reveals astonishing details about the violent minutes following impact—towering tsunamis, liquefied rock, and shifting seabeds. Researchers call it a once-in-a-lifetime look at how oceanic impacts unfold. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:50:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023802.htm The Southern Ocean absorbs nearly half of all ocean-stored human CO2, but its future role is uncertain. Despite models predicting a decline, researchers found that freshening surface waters are currently keeping deep CO2 trapped below. This stratification effect may be only temporary, as intensifying winds bring deep, carbon-rich water closer to the surface. If mixing increases, the Southern Ocean could begin releasing more CO2 than it absorbs. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:32:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023802.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021744.htm Researchers traced tremor signals deep inside Tanzania’s Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, pinpointing their 3D locations for the first time. The study revealed linked tremors at different depths, offering a rare glimpse into magma and gas movement. Because this volcano’s magma is unusually cool and fluid, the results defy expectations and could transform how scientists forecast eruptions. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 02:05:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251018102124.htm Mars’ north polar vortex locks its atmosphere in extreme cold and darkness, freezing out water vapor and triggering a dramatic rise in ozone. Scientists found that the lack of sunlight and moisture lets ozone build up unchecked. This discovery, made with data from ESA’s and NASA’s orbiters, could reveal clues about Mars’ past atmospheric chemistry and potential for life. Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:46:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251018102124.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223056.htm Researchers have discovered chemical fingerprints of Earth's earliest incarnation, preserved in ancient mantle rocks. A unique imbalance in potassium isotopes points to remnants of “proto Earth” material that survived the planet’s violent formation. The study suggests the original building blocks of Earth remain hidden beneath its surface, offering a direct glimpse into our planet’s ancient origins. Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:31:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223056.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091548.htm Coccolithophores, tiny planktonic architects of Earth’s climate, capture carbon, produce oxygen, and leave behind geological records that chronicle our planet’s history. European scientists are uniting to honor them with International Coccolithophore Day on October 10. Their global collaboration highlights groundbreaking research into how these microscopic organisms link ocean chemistry, climate regulation, and carbon storage. The initiative aims to raise awareness that even the smallest ocean dwellers have planetary impact. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:54:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091548.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035015.htm Electrons flow underground in ways far more extensive than once believed, forming networks that link distant chemical zones. Minerals, organic molecules, and specialized bacteria can act as bridges, creating long-distance electron highways. These discoveries hold promise for pollution cleanup strategies, remote remediation, and protecting ecosystems. Scientists now see the subsurface as an interconnected redox system with exciting practical potential. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:26:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035015.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922074949.htm A team at RMIT University has created a cement-free construction material using only cardboard, soil, and water. Strong enough for low-rise buildings, it reduces emissions, costs, and waste compared to concrete. The lightweight, on-site process makes it ideal for remote areas, while its thermal properties naturally cool buildings. Researchers see it as a key step toward greener, more resilient architecture. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:32:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922074949.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225010.htm MIT scientists have unraveled the hidden energy balance of earthquakes by recreating them in the lab. Their findings show that while only a sliver of energy goes into the shaking we feel on the surface, the overwhelming majority is released as heat—sometimes hot enough to melt surrounding rock in an instant. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 02:45:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225010.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000244.htm Barrels dumped off Southern California decades ago have been found leaking alkaline waste, not just DDT, leaving behind eerie white halos and transforming parts of the seafloor into toxic vents. The findings reveal a persistent and little-known legacy of industrial dumping that still shapes marine life today. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:02:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907024546.htm Cambridge scientists discovered that thin, weak zones in Earth’s plates helped spread Iceland’s mantle plume across the North Atlantic, explaining why volcanic activity once spanned thousands of kilometers. These ancient scars not only shaped the landscape but still influence earthquakes and could point to untapped geothermal energy. Sun, 07 Sep 2025 16:53:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907024546.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010526.htm As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, scientists are uncovering mysterious groundwater-fed oases hidden beneath its drying lakebed. Reed-covered mounds and strange surface disturbances hint at a vast underground plumbing system that pushes fresh water up under pressure. Using advanced tools like airborne electromagnetic surveys and piezometers, researchers are mapping the hidden freshwater reserves and testing whether they could help restore fragile lakebed crusts, reduce dust pollution, and reveal long-buried secrets of the region’s hydrology. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:15:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010526.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818102953.htm Scientists found that Great Salt Lake’s chemistry and water balance were stable for thousands of years, until human settlement. Irrigation and farming in the 1800s and a railroad causeway in 1959 created dramatic, lasting changes. The lake now behaves in ways unseen for at least 2,000 years. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:15:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818102953.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250814094654.htm Chemical evidence from a stalagmite in Mexico has revealed that the Classic Maya civilization’s decline coincided with repeated severe wet-season droughts, including one that lasted 13 years. These prolonged droughts corresponded with halted monument construction and political disruption at key Maya sites, suggesting that climate stress played a major role in the collapse. The findings demonstrate how stalagmites offer unmatched precision for linking environmental change to historical events. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:44:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250814094654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701020711.htm A massive and surprising change is unfolding around Antarctica. Scientists have discovered that the Southern Ocean is getting saltier, and sea ice is melting at record speed, enough to match the size of Greenland. This change has reversed a decades-long trend and is letting hidden heat rise to the surface, melting the ice from below. One of the most dramatic signs is the return of a giant hole in the ice that hadn’t been seen in 50 years. The consequences are global: stronger storms, warmer oceans, and serious trouble for penguins and other polar wildlife. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 08:54:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701020711.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021851.htm Zooplankton like copepods aren’t just fish food—they’re carbon-hauling powerhouses. By diving deep into the ocean each winter, they’re secretly stashing 65 million tonnes of carbon far below the surface, helping fight climate change in a way scientists are only just starting to understand. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:51:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231806.htm Beneath the forest floor lies an overlooked secret: many plants grow a second set of roots far deeper than expected sometimes over three feet down tapping into hidden nutrient stores and potentially locking away carbon. A new study using deep-soil data from NEON reveals that these "bimodal" rooting systems are more common than previously believed and may play a powerful role in stabilizing ecosystems and fighting climate change. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:18:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090850.htm During Earth's ancient Snowball periods, when the entire planet was wrapped in ice, life may have endured in tiny meltwater ponds on the surface of equatorial glaciers. MIT researchers discovered that these watery refuges could have supported complex eukaryotic life, serving as sanctuaries for survival amid extreme conditions. Their investigation into Antarctic melt ponds revealed not only evidence of eukaryotes but a striking diversity shaped by factors like salinity. These findings reshape our understanding of how life weathered one of the harshest climate events in Earth s history and ultimately set the stage for the evolution of complex life forms. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:08:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090850.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619035502.htm AI researchers in Switzerland have found a way to dramatically cut cement s carbon footprint by redesigning its recipe. Their system simulates thousands of ingredient combinations, pinpointing those that keep cement strong while emitting far less CO2 all in seconds. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:55:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619035502.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm Underground fungi may be one of Earth s most powerful and overlooked allies in the fight against climate change, yet most of them remain unknown to science. Known only by DNA, these "dark taxa" make up a shocking 83% of ectomycorrhizal species fungi that help forests store carbon and thrive. Their hotspots lie in tropical forests and other underfunded regions. Without names, they re invisible to conservation efforts. But scientists are urging more DNA sequencing and global collaboration to bring these critical organisms into the light before their habitats, or the fungi themselves, disappear forever. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:06:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608222155.htm Beneath Earth s surface, nearly 3,000 kilometers down, lies a mysterious layer where seismic waves speed up inexplicably. For decades, scientists puzzled over this D' layer. Now, groundbreaking experiments by ETH Zurich have finally revealed that solid rock flows at extreme depths, acting like liquid in motion. This horizontal mantle flow aligns mineral crystals called post-perovskite in a single direction, explaining the seismic behavior. It s a stunning leap in understanding Earth s deep inner mechanics, transforming a long-standing mystery into a vivid map of subterranean currents that power volcanoes, earthquakes, and even the magnetic field. Sun, 08 Jun 2025 22:21:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608222155.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529194648.htm The fossils of ancient salamander-like creatures in Scotland are among the most well-preserved examples of early stem tetrapods -- some of the first animals to make the transition from water to land. Thanks to new research, scientists believe that these creatures are 14 million years older than previously thought. The new age -- dating back to 346 million years ago -- adds to the significance of the find because it places the specimens in a mysterious hole in the fossil record called Romer's Gap. Thu, 29 May 2025 19:46:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529194648.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131557.htm Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler's bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data from bats, a team led by scientists has analyzed in greater detail than ever before how Leisler's bats use their habitats, which tree species they look for when searching a roost, and which forest types they avoid. They found that these bats increasingly seek refuge in old trees in urban areas and in old buildings such as churches. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520012730.htm To better understand the circadian clock in modern-day cyanobacteria, a research team has studied ancient timekeeping systems. They examined the oscillation of the clock proteins KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC (Kai-proteins) in modern cyanobacteria, comparing it to the function of ancestral Kai proteins. Tue, 20 May 2025 01:27:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520012730.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm A new report identifies the top 12 emerging threats that could accelerate pollinator losses within the next 5-15 years, according to ten of the world's leading experts. Mon, 19 May 2025 20:46:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131830.htm Natural ecosystems comprise groups of species capable of living in the specific conditions of a biological system. However, if we visit a specific natural area, we will not find all the species capable of living in it. The proportion of species that could live in a specific location but do not do so is known as dark diversity, a concept coined in 2011. Research has now discovered that this dark diversity increases in regions with greater human activity. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:18:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509121921.htm Antarctic krill do not only react to external environmental influences such as light or food. They also use their internal clock to adapt to the extreme conditions of the polar environment. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:19:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509121921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122602.htm Analyzing lava flows that solidified and then broke apart over a massive crack in the Earth's crust in Turkey has brought new insights into how continents move over time, improving our understanding of earthquake risks. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:26:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122602.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429195317.htm Scientists found that the fringe-lipped bat, known to eavesdrop on frog and toad mating calls to find its prey, learns to distinguish between palatable and unpalatable frogs and toads through experience. The findings provide the first evidence that eavesdropping predators fine-tune their hunting cues over the course of their development. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:53:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429195317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416151919.htm A study suggests that Homo sapiens may have benefited from the use of ochre and tailored clothing during a period of increased UV light 41,000 years ago, during the Laschamps excursion. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:19:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416151919.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135601.htm When two materials come into contact, charged entities on their surfaces get a little nudge. This is how rubbing a balloon on the skin creates static electricity. Likewise, water flowing over some surfaces can gain or lose charge. Now, researchers have harnessed the phenomenon to generate electricity from rain-like droplets moving through a tube. They demonstrate a new kind of flow that makes enough power to light 12 LEDs. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:56:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135601.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110037.htm Earth's rocky layers are mysteriously low in nitrogen compared with carbon and argon. A scientific team explored our planet's molten youth using advanced quantum mechanical simulations, revealing nitrogen's secret: under extreme pressure, it chose to hide in the iron core 100 times more than the mantle. This solved why Earth's volatile ratios involving nitrogen look odd. The findings suggest the necessary ingredients for developing a habitable world may have been settled in the early Earth. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:00:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110037.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114653.htm A new study reveals the modern arid desert between Africa and Saudi Arabia was once regularly lush and green with rivers and lakes over a period of 8 million years, allowing for the occupation and movements of both animals and hominins. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:46:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122031.htm When spring arrives and the heating season comes to an end, keeping warm becomes less of an issue. However, scientists remind us that it is not just a seasonal necessity -- heat is also a valuable energy resource that can be stored and used when needed most. Researchers have discovered an innovative solution beneath our feet: using soil as an efficient thermal energy storage system. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:20:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122031.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331151152.htm Every night, bats emerge out of roosts in massive numbers, creating what scientists have called a 'cocktail party nightmare' of clashing echolocations. Nobody knew how bats managed this severe sensorial challenge. Now, scientists have tracked bats within a group of thousands to find out: when bats first emerge from the roost, they increase their distance from the center of the group and adjust their echolocation to maneuver safely in the areas of highest bat density. Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:11:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331151152.htm