Science Daily

1. Secret chemical traces reveal life on Earth 3. 3 billion years ago

   Researchers have discovered chemical traces of life in rocks older than 3.3 billion years, offering a rare look at Earth’s earliest biology. By combining advanced chemical methods with artificial intelligence, scientists were able to detect faint molecular patterns left behind long after the original biomolecules disappeared. Newly analyzed fossils, including ancient seaweed from Canada’s Yukon Territory, helped validate the method and deepen understanding of early ecosystems.

2. Amazon scorpion venom shows stunning power against breast cancer

   Scientists are turning venom, radioisotopes, engineered proteins, and AI into powerful new tools against cancer. From Amazonian scorpions yielding molecules that kill breast cancer cells as effectively as chemotherapy, to improved fibrin sealants and custom-grown bioactive factors, researchers are pushing biotechnology into uncharted territory. Parallel teams are advancing radiotheranostics that diagnose and destroy tumors with precision, while others forge experimental vaccines that train the immune system using hybrid dendritic cells.

3. Secret underwater language of Hawaiian monk seals has 25 new calls

   Scientists have revealed that Hawaiian monk seals produce far more underwater vocalizations than previously believed. Their newly discovered 25-call repertoire includes complex combinations and a rare foraging-related call. These findings highlight an intricate acoustic world unfolding beneath the waves. The research opens the door to better protection strategies as human-made ocean noise continues to rise.

4. A crisis deepens as African penguins compete with fishing fleets for food

   During years of scarce fish, African penguins crowd into the same areas as commercial fishing vessels, heightening competition for dwindling prey. A new metric called “overlap intensity” shows how many penguins are affected and is already shaping improved conservation policies.

5. A tiny ancient virus reveals secrets that could help fight superbugs

   Scientists mapped the Bas63 bacteriophage in unprecedented detail, uncovering how its tail machinery infects bacteria. The structure reveals rare whisker-collar features and distant evolutionary ties reaching back billions of years. These insights could guide new phage therapies and innovations in medicine, agriculture, and industry.