The Guardian Science

AI eyes in the sky: new satellites and artificial intelligence are transforming wildfire detection

Hi-tech cameras orbiting Earth and on the ground, along with AI, help firefighters extinguish blazes before they spreadThe fires in Spokane, Washington, this summer are the latest reminder that when a wildfire is detected can be just as important as where it starts. A blaze found within minutes can often be contained before it spreads. Wait too long, and a small spark can become a major disaster.A new effort to shorten that timeline began in July when a SpaceX rocket carried the first three Fire

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists turn DNA into a memory device that uses 100x less power

Researchers combined synthetic DNA with a semiconductor to create an ultra-low-power memory device capable of storing and processing information in the same place. The bio-hybrid technology could eventually help make AI systems and next-generation computers far more energy efficient.

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists tracked kids for 8 years — the screen time result was unexpected

An eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on screens tended to show better cognitive processing as teenagers, challenging common assumptions about screen use. Researchers say the key may be balancing physical activity with screen activities that encourage learning, creativity, and active thinking.

science  Aug 17, 2026

The Guardian Science

Can you solve it? A new goat for puzzledom’s GOAT

Take this puzzle by the hornsToday’s puzzle is a new twist on The Monty Hall problem, arguably the greatest maths puzzle of all time.(According to Gemini, who trawled the internet for me, it is the most discussed and debated recreational maths puzzle of all time.) Continue reading...

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

Animals have been eating nature’s original bioplastic for millions of years

Nature invented biodegradable plastic long before humans did—and animals may have been feeding on it for hundreds of millions of years. Researchers discovered that dozens of animal species possess enzymes capable of breaking down microbial bioplastics called PHAs, a talent once thought to belong only to microorganisms.

science  Aug 17, 2026

The Guardian Science

Starwatch: Vega the bright star will light the way to the constellation of Lyra

Lyra, the lyre, represents the harp played by the Greek poet OrpheusWe turn our attention this week to one of the sky’s smallest constellations. High overhead from the UK after darkness falls, Lyra, the lyre, is easy to find thanks to the brilliant white star of Vega.The chart shows the view facing south and looking up towards the zenith from London at 22:30 BST on 17 August. Continue reading...

science  Aug 17, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 17 – A Golden Corona Eclipse

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 17 – A… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. A Golden […]

science  Aug 17, 2026

NASA News

Chasing Fire Clouds in Utah

NASA aircraft are sampling smoke lofted high into the atmosphere by one of the most formidable cloud types in the sky—towering, smoke-infused pyrocumulonimbus.

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

Tiny graphene wrinkles create surprisingly powerful electrical effects

Scientists have discovered that tiny, sharply curved wrinkles in graphene can dramatically alter its electrical behavior, creating surprisingly strong charge separation. The finding suggests future electronics could be tuned by reshaping materials at the atomic scale instead of changing what they’re made of.

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

A little-known protein may be fueling Alzheimer’s — and scientists found a way to block it

An experimental Alzheimer’s compound prevented damaging protein clumps from forming in the brains of mice, helping nerve cells survive longer and reducing amyloid buildup. The treatment also appeared to improve heart health and slow some signs of aging, raising hopes for an entirely new way to combat dementia.

science  Aug 17, 2026

Science Daily

This 10-cent heart drug cuts hospitalizations by 25%

A centuries-old heart drug costing less than ten cents a day could help keep heart-failure patients out of the hospital. New research suggests low-dose digoxin can reduce heart-failure hospitalizations by about 25%, potentially paving the way for its return as a major treatment.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

A little movement in midlife could pay off for your brain years later

Exercise and healthy blood sugar levels in midlife may help slow cognitive decline decades later. Physical activity appeared especially beneficial for Mexican American adults, suggesting that some brain-protective factors may differ across populations.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

The common mistake that could make aging joints hurt more

Aging gradually wears down the cartilage and fluid that protect our joints, but avoiding movement may actually make matters worse. Exercise helps nourish cartilage, strengthens the muscles that protect joints, and can reduce osteoarthritis pain. Low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, tai chi, yoga, and walking on varied terrain may also improve balance and mobility. Even a few minutes of the right kind of movement can make a difference.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

Physicists discover a hidden gluon structure inside protons that could rewrite textbooks

Physicists may have uncovered a hidden feature inside protons that helps preserve one of matter’s most fundamental properties. RHIC collision data suggest baryon number is carried not simply by three quarks, but by a Y-shaped junction of the gluons connecting them. The finding challenges a decades-old textbook picture and could deepen our understanding of why protons—and ultimately matter itself—remain stable.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists reveal why walking gets so much harder with age

As we age, the body appears to sacrifice walking efficiency in exchange for stability. Older adults stiffen the ankle more with each step, which may help prevent falls but also forces the muscles to work harder while producing less forward motion. This leads to shorter strides, slower walking, and faster fatigue. Exercises targeting balance, coordination, and lower-leg strength could help preserve mobility.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

A new Ice Age species was hiding in la brea tar pits fossils for decades

Scientists have discovered a new extinct amphibian species hiding in the fossil collections of Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits. Named Spea labreae, the Ice Age spadefoot toad is an exceptionally rare find—only one other extinct Pleistocene amphibian has ever been identified in North America. Its bones had been sitting in collections since the 1950s before a researcher noticed features that set it apart from known species.

science  Aug 16, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 16 – Milky Way over Yellowstone

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 16 – Milky… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Milky Way […]

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

A black hole shredded a “super sun” — but something strange may have survived

Astronomers have witnessed a black hole violently shredding a massive star, creating one of the most energetic stellar explosions ever observed. The event, nicknamed “the Whippet,” briefly released about 400 billion times the Sun’s energy and sent a shock wave racing outward at one-fifth the speed of light. Months later, scientists spotted unexpectedly fast-moving helium, suggesting that some structure may have survived the destruction.

science  Aug 16, 2026

Science Daily

COVID-19 awakens dormant viruses — and one is linked to long COVID

COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses hiding in the body, including Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, and several herpes viruses. One poorly understood viral family was strongly associated with long COVID and lasting disability, offering a potentially important clue to why some patients struggle to recover.

science  Aug 16, 2026

The Guardian Science

Science or fiction? Shadowy ‘paper mills’ let you pay to be a published author – of fraudulent research

Paper mill activity has exploded in recent years, polluting the scientific ecosystem with falsified data and compromising medical researchDr Reese Richardson’s phone constantly buzzes with notifications. The scientific research integrity specialist has been tracking shadowy organisations known as “paper mills”, which turn a profit by offering fraudulent academic authorship of scientific papers, IP registrations and other scholarly outputs. For a fee, paper mills offer to list people as authors o

science  Aug 15, 2026