Science

Marine biology: Watch first video of a possible rare sponge reef found near California

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Vast mounds of sponges stretching for hundreds of metres have been discovered 600 metres down near the Channel Islands off California Environment 3 March 2022 By Michael Le Page Vast mounds made of the skeletons of glass sponges have been discovered 600 metres down on the seabed of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary off … Read more

Tiny New Species of Stegosaur Unearthed in China

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A newly discovered fossilized stegosaur found in China is the most ancient ever found in Asia, and could be the oldest in the world. Treading the Earth some 170 million years ago, during the Middle Jurassic Bajocian age, the beastie was also small for a stegosaur, measuring just 2.8 meters (just over 9 feet) from … Read more

Covid-19 news: WHO reports 25 per cent rise in depression and anxiety

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By Michael Le Page, Clare Wilson, Jessica Hamzelou, Sam Wong, Graham Lawton, Adam Vaughan, Conrad Quilty-Harper, Jason Arunn Murugesu, Layal Liverpool, Carissa Wong, Alex Wilkins and Alexandra Thompson A woman waters plants in her house Samuel de Roman/Getty Images Latest coronavirus news as of 12pm on 3 March Pandemic linked to increase in depression and … Read more

Fix the Planet newsletter: 5 takeaways from the IPCC climate report

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By Adam Vaughan People walking by the ruins of the village of Vilar PAULO NOVAIS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock This is Fix the Planet, the weekly climate change newsletter that reminds you there are reasons for hope in science and technology around the world. To receive it in your inbox, sign up here. It may have been overshadowed by Russia’s … Read more

Camouflage: Foam made from algae and tree bark can hide objects in forest settings

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A camouflage system made using algae and tree bark can hide objects from both visible and infrared light Environment 3 March 2022 By Alex Wilkins A photograph of the patterned foam Laaksonen etal. (2022) Camouflage made from biodegradable foams of algae and cellulose derived from wood pulp or tree bark could make objects in forests … Read more

Dragonflies: Blue wings disappear against water

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The way light reflects off morpho dragonflies’ bright blue wings helps the insects blend in with water when viewed from above, making them invisible to predators and prey Life 3 March 2022 By Jake Buehler The bright wings of morpho dragonflies can also keep the insects hidden Shutterstock/guentermanaus With dazzling blue iridescent wings, male morpho … Read more

Hurricanes: Climate change may mean Atlantic has fewer tropical storms

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Global warming might increase the number of tropical cyclones in other parts of the world but reduce them in the Atlantic due to weakening circulation Environment 3 March 2022 By Michael Le Page Satellite image of large hurricanes brewing in the Atlantic Ocean NASA/Joshua Stevens   In parts of the world, tropical cyclones could become … Read more

NASA funds experimental radiation shield and Mars climbing robot

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Several futuristic projects have just been awarded money through NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts programme – here are New Scientist‘s top five choices Space 3 March 2022 By Will Gater NASA has just announced the projects that will be getting money from its NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme, which aims to support ideas for game-changing … Read more

Mystery Rocket Will Crash Into The Moon Tomorrow, And Scientists Are Watching Closely

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On 4 March 2022, a lonely, spent rocket booster will smack into the surface of the Moon at nearly 6,000 mph (9,656 km/h). Once the dust has settled, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will move into position to get an up-close view of the smoldering crater and hopefully shed some light on the mysterious physics of … Read more