Science Daily

• A new treasure map reveals where Earth's lost prehistoric life may be hiding

  A sweeping analysis of 540 million years of marine fossils has revealed surprising gaps in our understanding of Earth's ancient life. Scientists discovered that some of the greatest opportunities for finding previously unknown species lie in relatively recent geological periods, rather than the distant past. By mapping unexplored fossil-rich regions around the world, researchers have created a powerful tool to guide future excavations.

• Superheated magma could fuel towering lava fountains

  Why do some volcanoes erupt with spectacular lava fountains while others release lava more quietly? Scientists have discovered that a hidden effect of extreme heat inside magma may help explain the difference. Experiments revealed that superheated magma can delay crystal formation for more than eight hours, compared with just 20 minutes in magma that has not been superheated.

• The Sun unleashed a monster storm. Earth may have made it worse

  The massive solar storm that illuminated skies worldwide in May 2024 has uncovered an unexpected twist: Earth's own atmosphere may have helped make the storm so powerful. Satellite measurements revealed that roughly 85% of the charged particles fueling the disturbance originated from Earth's upper atmosphere rather than the solar wind. Scientists also detected an extraordinary 40% weakening of Earth's magnetic field high above the planet.

• Crows can make decisions twice as fast as humans, scientists discover

  Crows may be even smarter than we thought, and their brains are astonishingly fast. Researchers at the University of Tübingen discovered that crows can make visual decisions twice as quickly as humans and monkeys, taking just 235 milliseconds on average to identify the direction of moving dots while maintaining remarkable accuracy.

• Where are all the males? Ancient human fossils reveal a startling mystery

  A remarkable discovery in a South African cave suggests that an extinct human relative may have created an all-female burial site more than 240,000 years ago. Scientists analyzed ancient proteins preserved in Homo naledi teeth and found no male-specific markers among at least 20 individuals, potentially solving a mystery that has puzzled researchers for over a decade.