Photo Ark: Meet the red handfish, the critically endangered ‘walking’ fish that became Photo Ark’s 18,000th species

Photo Ark: Meet the red handfish, the critically endangered ‘walking’ fish that became Photo Ark’s 18,000th species

A critically endangered female red handfish, Thymichthys politus. (Photo: Joel Sartore) For 20 years, photographer Joel Sartore has been building a huge visual record of the world’s animals. His project, called the Photo Ark, has now reached another major milestone with its 18,000th species- the critically endangered red handfish. The milestone photo was announced by … Read more

Archaeologists in Málaga uncovered a 13-metre megalithic tomb more than 5,000 years old; ivory, amber and seashells point to long-distance exchange networks

Archaeologists in Málaga uncovered a 13-metre megalithic tomb more than 5,000 years old; ivory, amber and seashells point to long-distance exchange networks

Photo credit: University of Cádiz Archaeologists working near Teba in Málaga, southern Spain, have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved megalithic tomb that is more than 5,000 years old. Announced by the University of Cádiz, the structure, known as Dolmen I of the La Lentejuela necropolis stretches about 13 metres, or roughly 42 feet, and contains multiple … Read more

Earth’s core contains most of the planet’s gold, and scientists now find evidence that some core material is leaking into the mantle |

Earth’s core contains most of the planet’s gold, and scientists now find evidence that some core material is leaking into the mantle |

Earth’s core holds far more gold than anyone can reach. More than 99.999 per cent of the planet’s stores of gold and other precious metals lie buried under 3,000 kilometres of solid rock, locked away within the metallic core and far beyond the reach of humankind. For decades, geologists assumed this vast reserve was permanently … Read more

In 2013, honeybees were trained to find land mines left behind by the Balkan wars, turning their extraordinary sense of smell into an unlikely detection tool |

In 2013, honeybees were trained to find land mines left behind by the Balkan wars, turning their extraordinary sense of smell into an unlikely detection tool |

Croatia was still dealing with the hidden legacy of the Balkan wars when scientists began looking to an unlikely ally: honeybees. Years after mines had been buried across fields, forests and rural land, uncertainty over their locations continued to complicate farming, development and everyday life. Traditional mine-clearance teams faced the difficult task of finding explosives … Read more

In 1967, US satellites hunting secret nuclear tests detected a flash from deep space; the accidental signal became the first observed gamma-ray burst

In 1967, US satellites hunting secret nuclear tests detected a flash from deep space; the accidental signal became the first observed gamma-ray burst

Artist’s concept of a close-up naked-eye view of a GRB. Credit: NASA For more than half a century, gamma-ray bursts have remained one of the most puzzling events observed in space. These bursts are sudden flashes of gamma rays, a very high-energy form of light. They can appear from almost any direction in the sky … Read more

In 2017, Antigua and Barbuda removed invasive rats and goats from Redonda; by 2023, vegetation biomass rose over 2,000% and ground dragons increased 13-fold

In 2017, Antigua and Barbuda removed invasive rats and goats from Redonda; by 2023, vegetation biomass rose over 2,000% and ground dragons increased 13-fold

Redonda had become a thriving haven for wildlife within a few years, and now it has received a major new layer of protection. For years, Redonda resembled more a barren moonscape than a tropical Caribbean island. Its vegetation was destroyed, its native wildlife was wiped out, and the marine ecosystem around it was harmed by … Read more

In 2018, scientists found just 39 surviving clams in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon; they bred them and have since outplanted 65 million

In 2018, scientists found just 39 surviving clams in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon; they bred them and have since outplanted 65 million

After decades of environmental decline, Florida’s Indian River Lagoon is beginning to show signs of recovery. With funding from NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Habitat Conservation, the Indian River Lagoon Council is leading a system-wide effort to restore the habitats that once sustained the lagoon’s fish and wildlife. A team of three scientists and one fisherman … Read more

IN-SPACe moves to privatise operations of Rs 986 crore spaceport

IN-SPACe moves to privatise operations of Rs 986 crore spaceport

To identify a suitable industry partner, IN-SPACe has issued an expression of interest (EoI) inviting proposals from eligible Indian entities to operate and manage the new launch complex, which is being built primarily for launches involving small rockets. BENGALURU: Space promoter-cum-regulator IN-SPACe has begun the process of handing over the operations and management of the … Read more

Scientists explain how the ancient Greek Antikythera Mechanism copied the Moon’s changing speed without modern technology |

Scientists explain how the ancient Greek Antikythera Mechanism copied the Moon’s changing speed without modern technology |

The Moon does not travel across the sky at a constant pace. Its speed changes throughout each orbit, a detail ancient astronomers noticed long before they had the mathematics to explain it fully. More than two thousand years ago, the makers of the Antikythera Mechanism found a way to reproduce this unevenness using bronze gears … Read more