Science Daily

• 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.

• NASA reveals Earth's ozone hole has grown to a size not seen in a decade

  The Antarctic ozone hole expanded to its seventh-largest size on record in 2026, driven by unusual weather conditions that pushed it close to its historic maximum. Scientists say international restrictions on ozone-destroying chemicals prevented even greater damage, and Earth's protective ozone layer is still recovering.

• Scientists discover a giant 66-pound rodent that lived 34 million years ago

  Scientists have uncovered fossils of a giant rodent that lived in Thailand 34 million years ago, revealing that enormous rodents evolved much earlier than previously thought. Named Yakamys sirindhornae, the ancient animal may have weighed around 66 pounds, roughly twice as much as other known rodents of its time.

• The mystery of how hair knows where to grow may finally be solved

  Scientists have discovered that the intricate patterns of hair follicles on mammals may arise from a remarkably simple process involving cells following chemical signals. The findings challenge a long-standing theory and reveal how nature can create complex biological patterns without a detailed blueprint.

• 237-million-year-old fossils reveal a bizarre armored sea amphibian

  A bizarre, heavily armored amphibian roamed the oceans 237 million years ago, despite the fact that modern amphibians cannot survive entirely in saltwater. Discovered in China, the giant salamander-sized creature may be the first known amphibian to have adapted to a fully marine existence.