Deborah Bloomfield

Think learning and memory are all the job of the brain? You might want to think again, if the results of a recent study are to be believed. In a first, scientists at New York University (NYU) uncovered evidence of a type of learning called the massed-space effect in cells from outside the brain, suggesting […]

From around 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, Earth was home to terrestrial giants: mammoths, moa, and mega-marsupials, including something that “would have looked like a wombat the size of a hippo”. We really had it all, until we didn’t.  The disappearance of Earth’s megafauna remains something of a mystery, not least because we don’t have […]

It would be fair to assume that the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), the world’s smallest otter species, had gone extinct in Nepal. After all, the last time it was officially spotted in the country was 1839 – but now, that’s all changed. Nepal has historically been home to three otter species: the smooth-coated otter […]

For the first time ever, scientists have managed to determine the biological sex of an ancient human ancestor that lived in Africa around two million years ago. By analyzing proteins in the prehistoric creature’s teeth, the study authors were also able to shed new light on genetic diversity within the Paranthropus genus, suggesting that a […]

In 2023, a massive landslide in Greenland triggered megatsunamis in the Dickson fjord. Although no one was harmed, the event generated mysterious seismic signals that puzzled scientists globally because they didn’t know where this strangely rhythmic rumbling was coming from. What had shaken the world? The key to understanding the phenomenon rested on data recorded […]

NASA astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) have shared spectacular images they took of lightning below them on Earth. Orbiting the Earth on the ISS, astronauts get an unusual view of just about any large-scale phenomenon occurring below, from red sprites to “space angels” and the aurora borealis. In the latest slew of […]

The US is sitting on a largely untapped energy source that could significantly boost its electricity supply, according to a new report from the US Geological Survey (USGS). The study examines the potential of geothermal energy – the natural heat simmering beneath the Earth’s surface – as a major power source. While the US already […]

The southern tip of Africa is slowly lifting out of the water by up to 2 millimeters each year. Now, scientists think they’ve finally figured out why. GPS devices in South Africa have long hinted that something unusual might be happening to the landmass. These instruments can determine both their horizontal position and elevation with […]

Ever been out for a walk and noticed a pair of sneakers dangling from a power line? It’s a surprisingly common sight, and there’s a reason behind it. Shoe tossing – also known as ‘shoefiti’ – happens all around the world, and for a variety of reasons. Let’s explore some of the most common theories […]

It’s a well-known (and somewhat awkward) fact that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred. While previous research has explored when these encounters took place, findings have revealed where exactly it happened. Scientists took a close look at the geographical distribution of both species in Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe around the time we know they hooked […]

In a plot straight out of pretty much any Dan Brown book, ancient sketches by Leonardo da Vinci have revealed the location of secret tunnels underneath a medieval castle in Milan, Italy. In the 15th century CE, Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, ordered a fortification be built on the remains of one built in the […]

Did you know that flies hate cocaine? These well-adapted creatures have evolved to avoid things that might do them harm by developing a distaste for bitter things. Knock out those receptors, however, and it’s a very different story as they, just like humans, become really rather partial to a spot of cocaine. Drosophila, a kind […]

Ever wondered why you never see great white sharks in aquariums? It can’t be their size alone, we keep orcas in captivity. So what makes great whites different? The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is one of the ocean’s most powerful and iconic apex predators, known for its massive size, serrated teeth, and a reputation […]

Whether on the playground, in the boardroom, or at formal events, the suit and tie have long symbolized professionalism and style. But it might be time to reconsider the tie. A 2018 study published in the journal Neuroradiology suggests that wearing a tie can restrict blood flow to the brain, potentially causing headaches, dizziness, and […]

“Come on little one,” John Hammond croons to a baby Velociraptor in Jurassic Park. It enters the world all pathetic and gooey, like all good baby animals do, but what do we actually know about dinosaur reproduction? Were there lots of eggs, or just a few in each clutch? How did they stay warm? And […]

We might know scarily little about what lies within our oceans, but one thing we have learnt is that it appears to be absolutely chocka with freaky-looking little weirdos – and cookiecutter sharks are the perfect example. This strange group of sea critters consists of two species: the smalltooth cookiecutter shark, often shortened to just […]

The very first people to set foot in South America belonged to a previously unknown group of hunter-gatherers that later disappeared without a trace, a new study suggests. Initially crossing the land bridge from Central America to northern Colombia some 6,000 years ago, this enigmatic population is completely unrelated to any South American community that […]

A performance of Austrian composer Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube was beamed into space for an unusual audience over the weekend. The waltz, composed in 1866, was recorded by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra before being sent over 24.9 billion kilometers (15.5 billion miles) to NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft. If you’re a sci-fi fan, you […]

Conservation projects can be tough, often in extreme conditions, against all odds, and even with species right on the brink of extinction. However, they can also be extremely successful, with protected areas and laws leading population numbers to bounce back. One area where this is happening is Blue Spring State Park in Florida, now home […]

The Milky Way and Andromeda are traveling towards each other; this is a fact that we have known for a long time. Over the decades, estimates of the speed and simulations have suggested that the two were going to collide within 5 billion years. But new research argues quite the opposite. A team found that […]