Science Daily

Two deadly flowers could inspire powerful new medicines

Scientists have figured out how two famously poisonous plants create chemicals with surprising medical potential. After tracking thousands of genes in wolfsbane and larkspur, they identified six enzymes needed to build a complex compound called atisinium. The team recreated the process inside tobacco plants, offering a sustainable way to produce and test these rare molecules in larger amounts.

science  Aug 3, 2026

The Guardian Science

Starwatch: Mercury to reach farthest point from the sun

Morning sky offers rare opportunity for a glimpse at solar system’s innermost worldThis week offers one of the better opportunities of the year to catch a glimpse of the solar system’s innermost world. Trapped in its small orbit, Mercury never strays far from the sun, meaning it is usually lost to the light of dawn or dusk. On Sunday, however, the planet reached its greatest western elongation, meaning it appeared at its greatest apparent distance from the sun in the morning sky.The next few mor

science  Aug 3, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists twist crystal layers and reshape matter from within

Researchers have found a way to build much larger “twisted” oxide materials while precisely controlling how their atomic layers line up. Because these materials can be made over large areas and transferred onto different surfaces, the technique could help turn twistronics from a laboratory curiosity into a practical platform for next-generation electronics.

science  Aug 3, 2026

Science Daily

Giant waves are sweeping Mars’ atmosphere into space

The solar wind may be stripping away Mars’ atmosphere by creating giant rolling waves along its outer edge. Data from MAVEN and Tianwen-1 show that these waves form plasma clouds that carry atmospheric particles into space. The process is concentrated on one side of Mars and may have played a major role in drying out the once potentially habitable planet.

science  Aug 3, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 3 – Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs the Lacerta Nebula

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 3 –… 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. Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs […]

science  Aug 3, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 3 – Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs the Lacerta Nebula

APODScienceAPODAPOD: 2026 August 3 –…Today’s APODArchiveSubmissionsIndexSearchCalendarRSSEducationAboutDiscuss  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. Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs the Lacerta Nebula Explanation: What’s happening to this meteor? This bright meteor streak appeared and disappeared […]

science  Aug 3, 2026

Science Daily

AI reveals a massive algae boom across the world’s oceans

An AI analysis of 1.2 million satellite images shows that floating algae blooms are spreading across the global ocean. The rapid growth of massive seaweed mats could reshape marine habitats while bringing foul-smelling decay, ecological damage, and economic losses to coastlines.

science  Aug 3, 2026

Science Daily

Some coastal cities are sinking faster than the ocean is rising

Coastal communities are facing a hidden threat that is making rising seas far more dangerous: the land beneath them is sinking. New research shows that people in densely populated coastal regions experience an average relative sea-level rise of about 6 millimeters per year, nearly three times the global coastal average. Groundwater pumping, oil and gas extraction, heavy urban development, sediment compaction, and natural geological processes are all contributing to the problem.

science  Aug 3, 2026

Science Daily

Dark matter’s secret force does the opposite of what scientists expected

Dark matter particles may exert a hidden force on one another, but its effects are stranger than expected. An extra attraction helps the particles cluster, yet it also makes dark matter effectively lighter as the Universe expands. That weakens its gravitational impact and usually slows the growth of cosmic structure rather than accelerating it.

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

Without this protein, damaged muscle turns to fat and scar tissue

A protein once thought to mainly protect chromosome ends may also be essential for keeping muscle stem cells ready to repair injuries. Researchers found that TRF2 helps these cells maintain their identity and coordinate the cycle of rest, repair, and renewal.

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

Mathematicians prove perfectly fair elections are impossible

Mathematicians have shown that no electoral system can perfectly balance local representation, proportional national results, and a fixed-size parliament once enough parties compete. A newly proposed voting method could soften these unavoidable trade-offs and produce outcomes that are much closer to fair.

science  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian Science

‘I have an understanding housemate’: the student who makes videos of fungus on faeces

Alfred Drummond-Herdman’s extraordinary timelapses have been viewed by millions – and led him to identify new speciesAlfred Drummond-Herdman is possibly the only person in the UK who is sent animal faeces in the post out of goodwill. His bedroom in Edinburgh is full of the stuff: clothes have been removed from his wardrobe and cupboards, replaced with terrariums and plastic containers housing sections of cowpats, grouse droppings and rabbit pellets.“I have a very understanding housemate,” he say

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

This once-a-week workout may help cut belly fat, study shows

A surprisingly small dose of exercise may deliver major health benefits for adults carrying excess fat around the waist. In a four-month trial involving 315 adults with central obesity, researchers found that completing 75 minutes of brisk interval walking in a single weekly session reduced body fat, trimmed waistlines, and improved cardiovascular fitness about as effectively as splitting the same exercise across three days.

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

Eating less protein could slow aging, major review finds

A sweeping review of more than 350 studies suggests that the protein boom may be overselling what many people actually need. Eating less protein appears to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation and cellular damage, and activate pathways linked to healthier aging and longer life.

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

Cancer may be breaking its own DNA to keep growing

Cancer cells rely on powerful genetic switches to keep growth genes running at full speed, but that intense activity can damage their own DNA. The resulting breaks are repeatedly repaired, sometimes with small mistakes that allow new mutations to accumulate. Researchers believe this self-inflicted damage may help tumors evolve while also creating a potential target for new treatments.

science  Aug 2, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 2 – A Fire Rainbow over West Virginia

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 2 – A Fire… 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 […]

science  Aug 2, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 2 – A Fire Rainbow over West Virginia

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 2 – A Fire… 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 […]

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

Mysterious Milky Way object accelerates protons beyond one quadrillion electron volts

Scientists have identified LHAASO J1912+1014u as a cosmic accelerator that can push protons beyond one quadrillion electron volts. The finding may help reveal where the Milky Way’s most energetic cosmic rays come from and how they influence the galaxy.

science  Aug 2, 2026

Science Daily

NASA’s Curiosity rover finds a mysterious honeycomb landscape on Mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover has entered a Martian valley covered by an astonishing “sea” of tiny polygon-shaped fractures. The honeycomb patterns, each only a few inches wide, stretch across the landscape and even wrap around a nearby 20-foot-tall butte.

science  Aug 1, 2026

Science Daily

Tiny black holes may be secretly exploding stars across the Milky Way

Primordial black holes may occasionally pass through white dwarf stars and trigger enormous Type Ia supernova explosions. Researchers found that these events could explain chemical patterns seen in supernova remnants, nearby explosions, and stars across the Milky Way.

science  Aug 1, 2026