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We now know much more about how our ancestor 'Lucy' lived — and died
Fifty years after a fossil skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis was unearthed in Ethiopia, we know so much more about how this iconic species lived and died.
Amandachaucer
341
Why mangoes fall before they're ripe—and how science is helping them hang on
Ever wondered why your mango tree drops fruit before it's ripe? Each season, mango growers across Australia watch helplessly as millions of mangoes fall to the ground too early.
Gthielens
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Physicists used 'dark photons' in an effort to rewrite physics in 2025
A new theory of "dark photons" attempted to explain a centuries-old experiment in a new way this year, in an effort to change our understanding of the nature of light
Vdredasq23
444
Diversifying US Midwest farming for stability and resilience
Researchers find that diversifying crops and integrating livestock improves farm efficiencies and ecosystem services in the US Midwest. The work is published in PNAS Nexus.
Alessandro C
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Why gold went through the roof this year—and why its price may have been permanently raised
New research from Duke University suggests that the introduction of gold exchange-traded funds permanently pushed up the price of gold.
Sioreedabto1975
311
Scientists reverse Alzheimer’s in mice and restore memory
Alzheimer’s has long been considered irreversible, but new research challenges that assumption. Scientists discovered that severe drops in the brain’s energy supply help drive the disease—and restoring that balance can reverse damage, even in advanced cases. In mouse models, treatment repaired brain…
Mhemminger
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Children face punishment because of unaffordable school uniforms, new poll reveals
Thousands of children are being unfairly punished and excluded from education activities because their families cannot afford expensive school uniforms, according to new research conducted by Dr. Matt Barnes, senior lecturer in sociology at City St George's, University of London for The Children's S…
Camjohnson22
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An AI-based blueprint for designing catalysts across materials
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in everyday life, from disinfectants and medical sterilization to environmental cleanup and manufacturing. Despite its importance, most hydrogen peroxide is still produced using large-scale industrial processes that require significant energy. Researchers are thus se…
Knguyen
218
Glowing urine and shining bark: Scientists discover the secret visual language of deer
During mating season, when male white-tailed deer want to get noticed by the opposite sex and warn off rivals, they rub their antlers against trees and scrape the forest floor. Then they pee on these patches. But there is more to these physical and scent markers than meets the eye—or nose. According…
Jpatrick2682
222
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future…
David
218
New tests could nearly halve the rate of late-stage cancers, some scientists say — is that true?
Blood tests that look for over a dozen cancers are being developed. But how soon will they help patients?
Jonathancoxall
232
The medieval Oxford friar who worked out the makeup of planets and stars
Richard Fishacre used his knowledge of light and colour to argue against ‘fifth element’ theories of the dayAbout 800 years ago, Richard Fishacre, a Dominican friar at the University of Oxford, challenged the scientific thinking of the day, using his understanding of the behaviour of light to show t…
Danielle18
220
These nanoparticles kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones
Researchers have created tiny metal-based particles that push cancer cells over the edge while leaving healthy cells mostly unharmed. The particles work by increasing internal stress in cancer cells until they trigger their own shutdown process. In lab tests, they killed cancer cells far more effect…
Nova
200
This tiny peptide could help stop brain damage after injury
A four–amino acid peptide called CAQK has shown powerful brain-protective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury. Delivered through a standard IV, it zeroes in on injured brain tissue, calming inflammation and reducing cell death while improving recovery. The peptide worked in both mice …
Sipos
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Hagfish olfactory genes hint at ancient origins of vertebrate sense of smell
Researchers at University of Tsukuba and their collaborators have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the olfactory receptor repertoire of the hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri), a jawless vertebrate. This organism retains many primitive features yet possesses a highly developed olfactory system.
Agh
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Single-image method can accurately evaluate fibrous material porosity
Researchers from Skoltech Engineering Center's Hierarchically Structured Materials Laboratory have developed a new method to determine the porosity of fibrous materials using a single image taken with a standard optical microscope.
Abaskette
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Best acronym? Best use of AI? We present our end-of-year awards
Feedback has spent some time sifting through 2025's key scientific achievements to come up with a range of weird and wonderful (and less wonderful) winners for our inaugural Backsies awards
Dkeleti