The debate over Nanotyrannus’ identity is finally over. A remarkably preserved fossil proves it was a mature species, not a teenage T. rex. This discovery rewrites how scientists understand tyrannosaur evolution and Cretaceous predator diversity. For the first time, T. rex must share its throne with a smaller, faster rival.

Researchers discovered that altering the body’s natural rhythm can help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s damage. By turning off a circadian protein in mice, they raised NAD+ levels and reduced harmful tau buildup. The findings suggest that adjusting the body’s clock may one day help prevent neurodegeneration.

New research from Australia overturns the old idea that exercise “uses up” heartbeats. It shows that fitter people actually use fewer total heartbeats each day thanks to their lower resting heart rates, even when accounting for workouts. Athletes’ hearts beat around 10% less daily, saving over 11,000 beats per day compared to sedentary people. This efficiency not only signals cardiovascular fitness but also translates to longer life expectancy and lower disease risk.

More screen time among children and teens is linked to higher risks of heart and metabolic problems, particularly when combined with insufficient sleep. Danish researchers discovered a measurable rise in cardiometabolic risk scores and a metabolic “fingerprint” in frequent screen users. Experts say better sleep and balanced daily routines can help offset these effects and safeguard lifelong health.

After decades of mystery, scientists have finally proven that Europe’s largest bat, the greater noctule, hunts and eats small songbirds mid-air—more than a kilometer above ground. Using tiny biologgers strapped to bats, researchers recorded astonishing dives and mid-flight chewing sounds confirming bird predation long suspected but never observed.

A pandemic-era breakthrough has allowed scientists to literally expand our view of plankton. By using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, researchers visualized the inner workings of hundreds of marine species for the first time. The effort, tied to the TREC expedition, maps the evolutionary architecture of life’s smallest ocean dwellers. It’s the start of a global atlas revealing how complexity evolved beneath the waves.

Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way.

For decades, Paranthropus robustus has intrigued scientists as a powerful, big-jawed cousin of early humans. Now, thanks to ancient protein analysis, researchers have cracked open new secrets hidden in 2-million-year-old tooth enamel. These proteins revealed both sex and subtle genetic differences among fossils, suggesting Paranthropus might not have been one species but a more complex evolutionary mix.

Fringe-lipped bats from Panama hunt like miniature lions, using a “hang-and-wait” strategy to capture large, energy-rich prey. High-tech biologging revealed they spend most of their time conserving energy and strike with remarkable accuracy. With success rates around 50%, they outperform even apex predators like lions and polar bears. Older bats become even more efficient, showing that experience sharpens their deadly precision.

Scientists in Japan have discovered Physalia mikazuki, a previously unknown species of Portuguese man-of-war, in northern waters for the first time. DNA and anatomical analysis confirmed it as distinct from tropical relatives. Ocean simulations suggest warming currents transported it northward, offering new clues about changing ecosystems. The find underscores both marine adaptation and safety concerns for beachgoers.

Astronomers have captured a haunting image of a “cosmic bat” spreading its wings across deep space. This nebula, 10,000 light-years away, glows crimson as newborn stars ignite clouds of gas and dust.

People living in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may face higher dementia risks, according to new research from Wake Forest University. Scientists found biological signs of Alzheimer’s and vascular brain disease in those from high-burden areas, particularly among Black participants. The results suggest that social and environmental injustices can alter brain structure and function. Improving community conditions could be key to protecting brain health.

Scientists discovered that a blood molecule called CtBP2 may play a major role in how we age. It helps regulate metabolism and appears to link aging across the entire body. Lower levels are tied to poor health and faster aging, while higher levels are found in longer-living people. The finding could lead to simple blood tests that reveal how healthy or “young” your body really is.

Semaglutide appears to safeguard the heart even when patients lose little weight. In a massive international trial, heart attack and stroke risk dropped by 20% regardless of BMI. The benefit seems tied not just to slimming down but to deeper biological effects on inflammation, blood pressure, and vessel health. Researchers say this could expand who qualifies for the drug.

Researchers have uncovered dozens of long-misidentified coelacanth fossils in British museums, some overlooked for more than a century. The study reveals that these ancient “living fossils” thrived in tropical seas during the Triassic Period, around 200 million years ago. By re-examining mislabeled bones and using X-ray scans, scientists discovered a once-flourishing community of coelacanths that hunted smaller marine reptiles.

Earth’s magnetosphere, once thought to have a simple electric polarity pattern, has revealed a surprising twist. New satellite data and advanced simulations show that the morning side of the magnetosphere carries a negative charge, not positive as long believed. Researchers from Kyoto, Nagoya, and Kyushu Universities found that while the polar regions retain the expected polarity, the equatorial areas flip it entirely.

Penn State scientists have devised a new method to predict superconducting materials that could work at higher temperatures. Their model bridges classical superconductivity theory with quantum mechanics through zentropy theory. This breakthrough could guide the discovery of powerful, resistance-free materials for real-world use and transform energy technology.

The Taurid meteor shower, born from Comet Encke, delights skywatchers but may conceal hidden risks. Research led by Mark Boslough examines potential Taurid swarms that could increase impact danger in 2032 and 2036. Using planetary defense modeling and telescope data, scientists assess these threats while fighting misinformation and promoting preparedness.

Researchers in Japan have revealed how some gourds draw pollutants into their fruits. The secret lies in a protein that carries contaminants through the plant sap. By manipulating this protein’s structure, scientists hope to breed crops that resist contamination or serve as natural soil purifiers. This finding bridges food safety and environmental cleanup.

From mini-brains to spider-inspired gloves and wolf apple coatings, scientists are turning eerie-sounding experiments into real innovations that could revolutionize health and sustainability. Lab-grown brain organoids may replace animal testing, spider-silk gloves could create instant wound dressings, wolf apple starch keeps veggies fresh, and researchers even found microplastics lurking in human retinas—offering both wonder and a warning about the modern world.