Scientific Discoveries

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Could a whale swallow a person whole?
Science News

Could a whale swallow a person whole?

In the movie Whalefall, a sperm whale accidentally swallows a scuba diver. It’s technically possible, but unlikely to play out in real life.

📅 2026-09-10 13:00:00    •    Science News
Mercury may have shrunk much more than we thought, new study hints
Science News

Mercury may have shrunk much more than we thought, new study hints

Mercury, which is about one-third the size of Earth, may have shrunk more in its evolution than scientists originally thought.A new study suggests that the tiny planet may have contracted 10% to 30% more than previous models suggested — meaning the planet’s total diameter shrunk almost 12 miles (19 km) since Mercury was formed. (Mercury’s diameter today is roughly 3,032 miles (4,880 km). Previous missions overlooked the extent of the shrinkage because impact-crater debris on Mercury's surface hid the evidence, according to a study published Thursday (Sept. 10) in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. That size difference is important when researchers consider the planet's history, said G...

📅 2026-09-10 13:00:00    •    Live Science
DNA solves the mystery of a body found in the Arctic in 1859
Science News

DNA solves the mystery of a body found in the Arctic in 1859

Scientists have used DNA from living descendants to identify four more members of the doomed Franklin expedition, including Harry Peglar, whose identity had remained uncertain for 166 years. The findings offer new clues about the sailors who survived for years in the Arctic before joining the expedition’s ultimately fatal escape attempt.

📅 2026-09-10 12:46:43    •    ScienceDaily
Scientists create brilliant white material without a drop of white pigment
Science News

Scientists create brilliant white material without a drop of white pigment

Researchers have created a foam-based material that produces intense whiteness and water repellency without titanium dioxide pigments or PFAS chemicals. Inspired by natural structures in snow, clouds, flowers, and lotus leaves, the material uses tiny pores to scatter light while its rough surface repels water. The technology could offer a more sustainable way to make white, water-resistant everyday materials.

📅 2026-09-10 12:22:11    •    ScienceDaily
Powerful new AI model will map the moon's surface in more detail than ever, NASA and IBM scientists say
Science News

Powerful new AI model will map the moon's surface in more detail than ever, NASA and IBM scientists say

IBM and NASA have partnered to create a new artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of processing decades of lunar data so scientists can more accurately map the moon's surface one day. Decades of robotic lunar missions have left scientists with a massive, disjointed trove of data. Traditionally, this data has been parsed by limited transformer models such as SwinV2-B, created in 2022 as a general-purpose model to understand images and improve accuracy on photo recognition and related vision tasks. Spacecraft orbiting the moon captured this data using a mismatched array of sensors, without an accessible way to analyze or utilize it.Specifically, images from high-resolution optical cameras...

📅 2026-09-10 12:00:00    •    Live Science
Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM review: Wide, bright and built for the dark
Science News

Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM review: Wide, bright and built for the dark

The Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM is an intriguing lens for photographers who want a wide field of view without sacrificing aperture. Its f/1.4 maximum aperture makes it particularly appealing for astrophotography, while the 20mm focal length offers plenty of room for landscapes, architecture and other wide-view scenes.We took the lens out to the dark skies of Wales to photograph the night sky and the Perseids, giving it a real-world test in some of the best conditions we could find. With a premium L-series build and a price tag to match, there's a lot to consider before adding this lens to your kit. We wanted to find out how it actually performs in the real world, and whether it's worth the inve...

📅 2026-09-10 11:00:00    •    Live Science
Archaeologists find a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb before it’s too late
Science News

Archaeologists find a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb before it’s too late

While clearing debris to protect ancient Egyptian tombs from flash floods, researchers near Luxor stumbled upon an unknown 3,000-year-old tomb. Its remarkably preserved paintings depict an official named Paser, his wife, religious scenes, and offerings of food and flowers. The discovery comes as climate-driven flooding poses a growing threat to these fragile remains.

📅 2026-09-10 10:35:52    •    ScienceDaily
A Harvest Moon with 5 planets on the side: September is the best month for stargazing, ‪and this year is extra special
Science News

A Harvest Moon with 5 planets on the side: September is the best month for stargazing, ‪and this year is extra special

There may be no better month to get outside and look at the stars than September, when warm evenings meet rapidly lengthening nights, the Milky Way remains visible overhead, and the changing seasons can increase your chances of seeing the northern lights.For stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, summer presents an obvious problem: Darkness arrives late. By September, however, sunset is getting noticeably earlier each evening, providing far more time under dark skies with mild weather in most locations. Days can still feel summery, while nights tend to remain pleasant enough to spend hours outside with a pair of stargazing binoculars or a good backyard telescope. The only challenge is findin...

📅 2026-09-10 10:00:00    •    Live Science