Science news summaries — Page 7
Essential facts and source links for recent science stories.
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Over 100 AI experts offer competing views on existential risk
Over 100 AI experts offer differing views on whether advanced AI could threaten humanity. A 2023 survey of 2,778 publishing AI researchers found roughly 40–50% put the chance of extinction or similarly permanent human disempowerment at 10% or more, depending on wording. -
New research points to possible chambers behind Tutankhamun’s tomb
Geophysical surveys suggest Tutankhamun’s tomb may form part of a hidden complex, raising the possibility that Nefertiti’s lost tomb lies behind it. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities is due to decide later in September whether to approve exploration. -
Genome-and-fossil study points to bats originating in Europe about 65 million years ago
A study of genomes from 103 bat species and 44 bat fossils points to Europe as bats' birthplace about 65 million years ago, after the dinosaur extinction, before they spread worldwide. It also places echolocation near the start of bat evolution. -
A Grand Teton whitebark pine sets an age record at about 1,289 years
Jared Friedman found a whitebark pine in Grand Teton National Park that was about 1,289 years old when mountain pine beetles killed it in 2021. It is the oldest recorded whitebark pine, 22 years older than the previous record; Friedman counted 1,275 rings and modeled 14 more. -
States invited to compete for U.S. Space Academy site by Oct. 26
NASA is inviting states to compete to host the new U.S. Space Academy, with proposals due by 6 p.m. EDT Oct. 26. Each state may submit one bid, addressing site readiness, environmental and regulatory factors, and proximity and supporting ecosystems. -
Study finds 1,059 diseases associated with aging in 16 body systems
Researchers used blood proteins from 53,014 UK Biobank participants to estimate aging in 16 organs and systems. They found 5,436 significant links to 1,059 diseases, including 655 that developed later and 404 already present; the findings do not prove causation. -
Iran war disruptions put global fossil-fuel emissions on track to fall in 2026
The Iran war's disruption to oil and gas production and transport has reduced global fuel use; a Washington Post analysis of IEA data says 2026 fossil-fuel emissions are on track to fall from 2025, despite rising coal use, while oil demand is forecast to drop 2.5%. -
Satellite study finds sharks, turtles and whales select ocean habitats
Satellite tracking of 82 blue sharks, leatherback turtles and fin whales in the Northwest Atlantic found all three selected certain ocean habitat types, or “Seascapes,” including productive waters. Fin-whale results were less certain. -
Eight researchers to share up to $20 million from Schmidt Sciences
Schmidt Sciences will provide up to $20 million over five years to eight 2026 Schmidt Polymaths, giving each as much as $2.5 million to pursue research beyond their established fields, including work on immunity, climate-resilient crops, AI and cosmology. -
Study links Alzheimer’s to impaired bone marrow monocyte development
Researchers found impaired monocyte development in mouse models of Alzheimer’s, with a similar pattern in patients. In mice, targeted therapy restoring bone marrow monocyte production improved disease pathology and increased monocyte-derived macrophages’ movement into the brain. -
FDA testing finds elevated patulin; Wakefern recalls Wholesome Pantry applesauce
Wakefern recalled select jars of Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce after FDA testing found patulin above safety limits. The company says not to eat it; customers can return it for a refund or replacement. No illnesses or injuries were reported as of Sept. 22. -
Jersey releases list of 111 fields treated with biosolids in 2024 and 2025
Jersey has published the 111 fields where biosolids fertiliser was spread in 2024 and 2025. Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf said scientific tests found no PFAS contamination in them; the list was released in line with an information commissioner's decision. -
Reform UK seeks to end North Northamptonshire’s climate emergency declaration
Reform UK councillor Leon Gibbs has proposed ending North Northamptonshire Council’s 2021 climate-emergency declaration, arguing it makes little sense alongside a carbon-neutral target now set for 2050. Full council is due to consider the motion later. -
Bulgaria’s battery fleet aids power exports amid regional drought
About 100 battery-storage sites have helped Bulgaria balance solar surpluses as exceptionally low Danube levels disrupt nuclear and hydro generation in Eastern Europe. July and August net exports reached about 830 GWh per month, more than twice the May–June average. -
Study reports Mount Elgon elephants mix medicinal plants with milk for young
Researchers report that Mount Elgon's cave elephants in Kenya use medicinal plants for their young: mothers were seen chewing roots and leaves and mixing them with breast milk. The team believes the herds use at least 35 plant species. -
Two weeks of pumping improve oxygen in Kirby Muxloe Castle’s moat
Environment Agency officers found very low oxygen in the moat at Kirby Muxloe Castle in Leicestershire on 30 August after reports of distressed fish. The agency and Kirby Muxloe 87 fishing club pumped oxygen for about two weeks; levels improved and pumping ended last week. -
25 pilot whales guided from Thames to sea; two die during rescue
Rescuers guided 25 of 27 pilot whales from the Thames back to sea near Gravesend on Sept. 19 in a six-hour operation using eight boats; two whales died during the wider, days-long effort. Officials said the river is too shallow and lacks food for them. -
A Yellowstone super-eruption scenario traces ashfall and global climate impacts
In a hypothetical worst case, a Yellowstone super-eruption could spread ash across North America, disrupting power, transport, water and food supplies; sulfur dioxide aerosols could temporarily cool the climate. The scenario is not a forecast of an imminent eruption. -
Researchers drill Turkey's Durupınar formation, still unproven as an Ark site
Researchers have begun core drilling at Turkey’s boat-shaped Durupınar Formation, which an expedition is investigating as a possible Noah’s Ark site. The team reports underground anomalies, but evidence has not established that the formation is man-made or the biblical vessel. -
PFOA readings suggest higher health risks for 70% of Lancashire volunteers
49 Thornton-Cleveleys residents volunteered for PFOA blood tests; 70% had readings that could indicate increased health risks under US and German guidelines. The UK has no recommendation on acceptable PFAS levels in people; elevated readings do not mean illness is certain. -
CBP calls Detroit airport find the first recorded U.S. port encounter with giant scale insects
CBP officers found giant scale insects on pine bark in a passenger’s luggage at Detroit Metro Airport; CBP called it the agency’s first recorded encounter with the species at a U.S. port of entry. The traveler from Cameroon was allowed to continue after officers seized the bark. -
At final UN climate meeting, Guterres urges detailed fossil-fuel exit plans
At his final New York climate meeting as UN chief, Antonio Guterres urged countries to raise emissions-cutting targets and publish plans to quit fossil fuels, saying renewables are the cheapest, fastest and most secure source of new electricity almost everywhere. -
After seven years, researchers confirm a new egg-eating snake species in Ethiopia
Researchers identified Dasypeltis albigularis, a new snake species from Ethiopia’s Harenna Forest that feeds exclusively on bird eggs. It swallows eggs whole, then cracks their shells with modified throat vertebrae; the species is harmless to humans. -
Western Narrows earns first passing grade in 2026 Long Island Sound report
Save the Sound’s 2026 report card says water quality improved or stayed stable in all five open-water regions of Long Island Sound. The Western Narrows received a D, its first passing grade since grading began in 2008; the other regions earned A-range or B grades. -
Wall beneath Paris hospital may support Île de la Cité as Lutetia’s original site
A roughly 20-meter wall beneath Paris’s Hôtel-Dieu hospital on Île de la Cité may be part of Lutetia’s ramparts, supporting the island—not Nanterre—as the ancient city’s original site. The culture ministry says its function and date still need verification. -
Two olive ridley turtles make California’s first documented West Coast nests
Two different olive ridley sea turtles laid eggs at Seal Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County within a week, marking the first documented nesting on the US West Coast. Scientists say it is too soon to know whether the sightings signal a northward shift. -
Dalian team reports oil-refining membrane method used 91% less energy in tests
Interesting Engineering reports a Chinese team's membrane method used 91% less energy than standard distillation in tests. It separated a 15-component light naphtha mixture into three product groups, with 85%–90% recovery; performance at industrial scale remains unproven. -
Polybot’s tomato robot advances from first pick to full greenhouse rows
Polybot’s autonomous truss-tomato harvester progressed from its first independent pick in May 2025 to harvesting full greenhouse rows by December, the article reports. The Tübingen startup trains it on human demonstrations rather than hand-coding each step.
