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These dogs are trained to sniff out an invasive insect—and they're shockingly good at it

Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork.

This 10-minute ozone hack keeps mangoes fresh for 28 days

Mango lovers and growers alike may soon rejoice: scientists at Edith Cowan University have found that a simple dip in ozonated water can drastically extend the shelf life of mangoes by up to two weeks while reducing spoilage. This technique, called aqueous ozonation, helps prevent chilling injuries that typically occur during cold storage, a long-standing challenge in mango preservation.

Cognitive collapse and the nuclear codes: When leaders lose control

A shocking study reveals that many leaders of nuclear-armed nations—including US presidents and Israeli prime ministers—were afflicted by serious health problems while in office, sometimes with their conditions hidden from the public. From dementia and depression to addiction and chronic diseases, these impairments may have affected their decision-making during pivotal global crises.

Why broken crystals are stronger

Crystals may seem flawless, but deep inside they contain tiny structural imperfections that dramatically influence their strength and behavior. Researchers from The University of Osaka have used the sophisticated math of differential geometry to reveal how these defects—like dislocations and disclinations—interact in elegant, unified ways. Their findings could help scientists engineer tougher, smarter materials by intentionally leveraging these flaws rather than avoiding them.

Tai chi, yoga, and jogging rival pills for beating insomnia

Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia, according to a large analysis comparing various treatments. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains effective, exercise-based approaches—especially Tai Chi—were shown to deliver significant improvements in total sleep time, efficiency, and reducing how long people stay awake after falling asleep. Yoga stood out for boosting overall restfulness, and jogging helped ease insomnia symptoms.

It’s not that you look—it’s when: The hidden power of eye contact

A groundbreaking study from Flinders University reveals that it's not just making eye contact that matters, but precisely when and how you do it. By studying interactions between humans and virtual partners, researchers discovered a powerful gaze sequence that makes people more likely to interpret a look as a call for help. Even more surprising: the same response pattern held true whether the "partner" was human or robot, offering insights into how our brains instinctively process social cues.

Frozen for 12,000 years, this Alpine ice core captures the rise of civilization

An ancient glacier high in the French Alps has revealed the oldest known ice in Western Europe—dating back over 12,000 years to the last Ice Age. This frozen archive, meticulously analyzed by scientists, captures a complete chemical and atmospheric record spanning humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to modern industry. The core contains stories of erupting volcanoes, changing forests, Saharan dust storms, and even economic impacts across history. It offers a rare glimpse into both natural climate transitions and human influence on the atmosphere, holding vital clues for understanding past and future climate change.

Corals in crisis: A hidden chemical shift is reshaping Hawaiian reefs

Hawaiian coral reefs may face unprecedented ocean acidification within 30 years, driven by carbon emissions. A new study by University of Hawai‘i researchers shows that even under conservative climate scenarios, nearshore waters will change more drastically than reefs have experienced in thousands of years. Some coral species may adapt, offering a glimmer of hope, but others may face critical stress.

They fled the flames—now jaguars rule a wetland refuge

After devastating wildfires scorched the Brazilian Pantanal, an unexpected phenomenon unfolded—more jaguars began arriving at a remote wetland already known for having the densest jaguar population on Earth. Scientists discovered that not only did the local jaguars survive, but their numbers swelled as migrants sought refuge. This unique ecosystem, where jaguars feast mainly on fish and caimans and tolerate each other’s presence unusually well, proved remarkably resilient. Researchers found that this floodplain may serve as a natural climate sanctuary, highlighting its crucial role in a changing world.

Dogs can detect Parkinson’s years before symptoms—with 98% accuracy

Dogs trained to detect Parkinson’s disease using scent have shown remarkable accuracy in new research. In a double-blind trial, they identified skin swabs from people with Parkinson’s with up to 80% sensitivity and 98% specificity, even when other health conditions were present. The findings offer hope for a simple, non-invasive diagnostic method using biomarkers that appear long before traditional symptoms, potentially allowing earlier treatment and slowed disease progression.

This laser implosion just created a magnetic field like a neutron star

A powerful new technique harnesses swirling plasma inside laser-blasted microtubes to produce record-breaking magnetic fields—rivaling those near neutron stars—all within a compact laboratory setup. This innovation promises to transform astrophysics, quantum research, and fusion energy experiments by unleashing megatesla-level forces using nothing more than targeted laser pulses and clever engineering.

25 years, 1 coastline report card: The shocking wins and misses

Twenty-five years after first warning that oil spills would wane while invasive species and climate impacts would surge, an international team revisits its coastal forecasts and finds many bull's-eyes, alongside surprising misses. Plastic pollution, ocean acidification, and sensory pollution have risen faster than imagined, even as strong treaties curbed chemicals like TBT. The scientists argue that shorelines remain “sentinels” for the global ocean and urge a blend of local action and sweeping accords such as a Global Plastics Treaty to keep future surprises in check.

The secret motor protein that slams leaf pores shut—and saves crops

Scientists have discovered that a protein once thought to be just a cellular "courier" actually helps plants survive drought. This motor protein, myosin XI, plays a critical role in helping leaves close their pores to conserve water. When it's missing, plants lose water faster, respond poorly to drought, and activate fewer protective systems. The finding could open the door to hardier crops that can withstand a warming, drying world.

New study cracks the “tissue code” — just five rules shape organs

Scientists have uncovered a surprisingly simple “tissue code”: five rules that choreograph when, where, and how cells divide, move, and die, allowing organs like the colon to remain flawlessly organized even as they renew every few days. Mathematical models showed that manipulating just these parameters faithfully recreates real tissue architecture, hinting that the same code may govern skin, brain, and more. The discovery offers a fresh way to understand healing, birth defects, and cancer, and could supercharge initiatives such as the Human Cell Atlas by turning static cell maps into dynamic predictions.

Fiji ant plant builds tiny condos that stop ant wars

High in Fiji s rainforest, the ant plant Squamellaria grows swollen tubers packed with sealed, single-door apartments. Rival ant species nest in these chambers, fertilizing their host with nutrient-rich waste while never meeting face-to-face. When researchers sliced open the walls, fatal battles erupted, confirming that the plant s compartmentalized architecture prevents war and sustains the partnership. CT scans of the tubers unveiled a meticulously isolated maze, showcasing evolution s clever fix for keeping multiple, unrelated houseguests peacefully productive.
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