Science Daily

1. Giant hidden heat blob slowly travels beneath the U.S.

   An immense pocket of hot rock deep beneath the Appalachians may be a wandering relic of the breakup between Greenland and North America 80 million years ago. Researchers suggest this slow-moving “mantle wave” drifted over 1,800 km to reach its current position, gradually reshaping the continent from below and even helping prop up the Appalachian Mountains long after tectonic activity at the surface ceased.

2. Tiny Yellowstone quakes ignite a surge of hidden life underground

   Researchers studying Yellowstone’s depths discovered that small earthquakes can recharge underground microbial life. The quakes exposed new rock and fluids, creating bursts of chemical energy that microbes can use. Both the water chemistry and the microbial communities shifted dramatically in response. This dynamic may help explain how life survives in deep, dark environments.

3. This glowing particle in a laser trap may reveal how lightning begins

   Using a precisely aligned pair of laser beams, scientists can now hold a single aerosol particle in place and monitor how it charges up. The particle’s glow signals each step in its changing electrical state, revealing how electrons are kicked away and how the particle sometimes releases sudden bursts of charge. These behaviors mirror what may be happening inside storm clouds. The technique could help explain how lightning gets its initial spark.

4. This tiny plant survived the vacuum of space and still grows

   Moss spores survived an extended stay on the outside of the ISS and remained capable of germinating once back on Earth. Their resilience to vacuum, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation surprised the researchers who expected them to perish. The spores' natural protective coat likely played a key role in shielding them. The study hints at the potential for simple plants to support agriculture beyond our planet.

5. Tiny bee with devil horns discovered in Western Australia

   A horned native bee dubbed Megachile lucifer has been discovered in Western Australia’s Goldfields. Identified while surveying a rare wildflower, the species stood out with its unusual “devilish” facial horns. DNA testing confirmed it was previously unknown. The find exposes major gaps in bee surveying, especially in areas under pressure from mining.