Science

In a groundbreaking discovery that challenges our cinematic perceptions of dinosaurs, a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has unveiled a new species of dinosaur, Pulaosaurus qinglong, which likely communicated in chirps rather than the roars we often associate with these ancient creatures. This remarkable finding comes from a well-preserved fossil discovered in northeastern China, providing a rare glimpse into the vocalization capabilities of dinosaurs.

Pulaosaurus qinglong, a two-legged herbivore measuring approximately 72 centimeters (2.4 feet) in length, is named after Pulao, a mythical dragon from Chinese folklore known for its loud cries. This connection is fitting, as the fossilized remains include not only most of the skeleton but also parts of the larynx, an area typically lost to fossilization. The presence of these structures offers a unique opportunity to speculate on the sounds this dinosaur might have produced.

In an exciting development for the field of exoplanet research, an international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of a new exoplanet named TOI-2431 b, which orbits a star located just 117 light-years away. The findings, published on July 11, 2025, on the pre-print server arXiv, highlight the capabilities of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in identifying potential new worlds beyond our solar system.

TESS, launched in April 2018, has been instrumental in monitoring approximately 200,000 bright stars in our cosmic neighborhood. The satellite detects exoplanets by observing temporary dips in brightness that occur when a planet transits in front of its host star. To date, TESS has identified over 7,600 candidate exoplanets, with 638 of these confirmed, and TOI-2431 b adds to this growing list.

In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers have unearthed a sperm whale tooth at the Valencina de la Concepción-Castilleja de Guzmán site, located in the southwest of Seville, Spain. This remarkable find, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE, is the first of its kind ever discovered on the Iberian Peninsula, shedding new light on the intricate relationship between ancient communities and the marine world. The tooth was found during an excavation in 2018, which was part of a project to build a new municipal library on a section of the Copper Age mega-site known as Nueva Biblioteca.

Recent research from physicists at The University of Arizona has unveiled a fascinating possibility: some asteroids may possess an extraordinary mass density that hints at the existence of heavy elements beyond the current periodic table. This groundbreaking study focuses on Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs), particularly spotlighting asteroid 33 Polyhymnia, which exhibits a mass density surpassing that of Osmium, the densest naturally occurring stable element.

The researchers were intrigued by the potential of CUDOs, which could contain elements with atomic numbers (Z) exceeding the known limits of the periodic table. Their study indicates that the mass density of asteroid 33 Polyhymnia is significantly greater than that of any familiar atomic matter, classifying it as a CUDO with an unknown composition. The implications of this discovery could reshape our understanding of the materials found in our Solar System.

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have observed the largest black hole merger ever recorded, named GW231123. This extraordinary event was detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which uses advanced technology to capture the faint ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, produced when two black holes collide.

The merger involved two black holes, each boasting a mass greater than 100 times that of our Sun. This significant finding not only marks a new milestone in the study of black holes but also poses intriguing questions about their formation and evolution.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have recovered ancient proteins from a fossilized rhinoceros tooth that dates back 24 million years. This remarkable find, unearthed in the Canadian Arctic, marks a significant advancement in the study of ancient life on Earth, as these proteins are ten times older than the oldest known DNA. The research, published on July 9, 2025, in the journal Nature, showcases the immense potential of paleoproteomics, a field that could revolutionize our understanding of prehistoric life.

In a significant move aimed at aligning its engineering capabilities with the evolving aerospace landscape, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s Engineering and Technology Directorate (ETD) has announced a series of organizational realignments. This restructuring comes in response to the demands of a changing market, the agency’s strategic objectives, and the recently outlined vision in the President’s Budget Request for NASA.

The reorganization, which was approved by NASA Headquarters after a temporary halt due to a federal hiring freeze, seeks to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the directorate. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to prepare for future challenges while optimizing the current workforce.

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science Advances reveals that Neanderthals, our ancient relatives, operated sophisticated “fat factories” as far back as 125,000 years ago. This research, conducted by a team from Leiden University, sheds new light on the survival strategies of Neanderthals and their understanding of resource management during an interglacial period that resembled today’s climate.

The Neumark-Nord archaeological site near Leipzig, Germany, has been a focal point of research for decades. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that Neanderthals intentionally chose a lakeside location to establish their fat factories. This strategic choice allowed them to process the bones of at least 172 mammals, including deer, horses, and aurochs—an extinct species of bovine. The inhabitants of this settlement employed advanced techniques for extracting bone marrow, which involved breaking open large bones and grinding them into fragments. They even heated these fragments in water to yield calorie-rich bone grease.

In a groundbreaking study published on July 3, 2025, in the journal Science, researchers have unveiled compelling evidence that the adult human brain is capable of forming new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis. This discovery could put to rest a long-standing debate about the brain’s ability to regenerate itself and has significant implications for our understanding of learning, memory, and emotional health.

The research, led by Marta Paterlini from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, demonstrates that neurogenesis occurs primarily in the hippocampus, a critical region of the brain associated with learning and memory. “In short, our work puts to rest the long-standing debate about whether adult human brains can grow new neurons,” Paterlini stated.

For years, the astronomical community has been buzzing with theories surrounding the existence of a ninth planet in our Solar System, often referred to as Planet 9. Some astronomers argue that the peculiar clustering and orbital tilt of certain trans-Neptunian objects suggest that they are being influenced by the gravitational pull of an as-yet-undiscovered planet. This hypothetical Planet 9 is believed to be similar in size to Neptune, orbiting the Sun in a highly elliptical path at a staggering distance of around 300 astronomical units (AU) from our star.