Physicist delineates limits on the precision of quantum thermal machines

Humanoid robots reliably manipulate different objects with 87% success using new framework

Specific brain activity patterns predict greater control over drinking behavior, study finds

Entanglement-enhanced optical lattice clock achieves unprecedented precision

New insight into why LLMs are not great at cracking passwords

Secret behind Temple of Venus’s resilient construction uncovered

Astronomers capture an exceptional gamma-ray flare from a blazar

Dating a North American rock art tradition that lasted 175 generations

Unprecedented levels of forever chemicals found in dolphins and whales

Meteorite samples are time capsules from the early solar system

Watching metal crystals grow inside liquid metal: Imaging technique could boost hydrogen production

Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA

Targeted ultrasound can shape the brain’s reward-seeking mechanisms

RNA in action: Filming ribozyme self-assembly

Drones: An ally in the sky to help save elephants

Unprecedented levels of forever chemicals found in dolphins and whales

Marine mammals, including deep-diving whales and dolphins, exhibit high levels of PFAS contamination regardless of habitat, indicating that even remote or deep-sea environments do not protect against these persistent pollutants. PFAS accumulation poses risks to immune, endocrine, and reproductive health, raising concerns for marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Major droughts linked to ancient Indus Valley Civilization’s collapse

Prolonged droughts, each exceeding 85 years and affecting up to 91% of the Indus Valley Civilization region, coincided with decreased rainfall and a 0.5°C temperature rise. These environmental changes led to shifts in settlement patterns toward river areas and contributed to the civilization’s gradual decline rather than a sudden collapse.

Satellites spot surprising tsunami patterns: Massive Kamchatka quake challenges old models

High-resolution data from the SWOT satellite revealed that the 2025 Kamchatka tsunami exhibited complex, dispersive wave patterns, challenging the traditional view that large tsunamis are non-dispersive. Analysis combining satellite and DART buoy data indicated the earthquake rupture extended 400 km, longer than previous estimates, highlighting the need to refine tsunami models and integrate diverse data sources.

Plastic pollution is worsened by warming climate and must be stemmed, researchers warn

Climate change accelerates plastic breakdown into microplastics, increasing their mobility, persistence, and ecological harm. Rising plastic production and climate effects intensify these impacts, threatening nutrient cycles, soil health, and species, especially apex predators. Urgent systemic action is needed to limit microplastic pollution and transition to a circular plastics economy.

Researchers develop novel bathymetric framework for high-accuracy shallow-water mapping

A novel bathymetric mapping framework integrates ICESat-2 LiDAR, optical, and SAR data to achieve high-accuracy, wide-coverage shallow-water depth mapping, including in turbid regions. The PAWLP method enables robust wave-based depth estimation, while multi-source data fusion and temporal sample-transfer strategies enhance spatial consistency and reliability for coastal applications.

‘Weather Commons’ as collaborative weather management

A new framework called “Weather Commons” is proposed as a democratic, community-centered approach to weather management, contrasting with top-down, technocratic methods. This concept promotes collective stewardship of weather-related resources, aiming to balance technological interventions with societal engagement and critical reflection on humanity’s evolving relationship with weather.

‘Truly severe’ floods overwhelm Southeast Asia

Severe flooding across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia has resulted in dozens of deaths, widespread displacement, and significant infrastructure damage. Heavy monsoon rains, intensified by climate change and exacerbated by factors such as urbanization and deforestation, have overwhelmed local authorities and left many areas inaccessible, with ongoing risks as further rainfall is expected.