Breakthrough could pave the way for next-generation GPS in drones, smartphones and self-driving cars, scientists say. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. A new comb-like computer chip could be the key to equipping drones, smartphones and autonomous vehicles with military-grade positioning technology that was previously confined to space agencies and research labs. Scientists have developed a "microcomb chip" — a 5 millimeter (0.2 inches) wide computer chip equipped with tiny teeth like those on a comb — that could make optical atomic clocks, the most precise timekeeping pieces on the planet, small and practical enough for real-world use. This could mean GPS-equipped systems a thousand times more accurate than the best we have today, improving everything from smartphone and drone navigation to seismic monitoring and geological surveys, the researchers said in a statement. They published their findings Feb. 19 in the journal Nature Photonics. "Today's atomic clocks enable GPS systems with a positional accuracy of a few meters [where 1 meter is 3.3 feet]. With an optical atomic clock, you may achieve a precision of just a few centimeters [where 1 centimeter is 0.4 inches]," study co-author Minghao Qi, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University, said in the statement. Related: How long is a second? "This improves the autonomy of vehicles, and all electronic systems based on positioning. An optical atomic clock can also detect minimal changes in latitude on the Earth's surface and can be used for monitoring, for example, volcanic activity." There are approximately 400 high-precision atomic clocks worldwide, which use the principles of quantum mechanics to keep time. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. This typically involves using microwaves to stimulate atoms to shift between energy states. These shifts, called oscillations, happen naturally at an extremely high rate, acting like an ultra-precise ticking clock that keeps timekeeping accurate to within a billionth of a second. That is why atomic clocks form the backbone of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) — which is used to set global time zones — and GPS (global positioning system) satellites, which rely on atomic timekeeping to provide positioning data to cars, smartphones and other devices. Despite this incredible accuracy, traditional atomic clocks are far less accurate than optical atomic clocks. Where standard atomic clocks use microwave frequencies to excite atoms, optical atomic clocks use laser light, enabling them to measure atomic vibrations at a much finer scale — making them thousands of times more precise. Until now, optical atomic clocks have been confined to extremely limited scientific and research environments, such as NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This is because they are extremely complex, putting them well out of reach of your standard Casio fan. Microcomb chips could change this by bridging the gap between high-frequency optical signals (which optical atomic clocks use) and the radio frequencies used in the navigation and communication systems that modern electronics rely on. "Like the teeth of a comb, a microcomb consists of a spectrum of evenly distributed light frequencies. Optical atomic clocks can be built by locking a microcomb tooth to a ultra-narrow-linewidth laser, which in turn locks to an atomic transition with extremely high frequency stability," the researchers explained in the statement. —New navigation system uses cellphone signals to fly a plane in case GPS fails —Cosmic-ray 'GPS' system that tracks underground movement could change the way we respond to disasters —Lost in space? Here's a new method to find your way back home They likened the new system to a set of gears, where a tiny, fast-spinning gear (the optical frequency) drives a larger, slower one (the radio frequency). Just as gears transfer motion while reducing speed, the microcomb acts as a converter that changes the ultra-fast oscillations of atoms into a stable time signal that electronics can process. "Moreover, the minimal size of the microcomb makes it possible to shrink the atomic clock system significantly while maintaining its extraordinary precision," study co-author Victor Torres Company, professor of photonics at Chalmers, said in the statement. "We hope that future advances in materials and manufacturing techniques can further streamline the technology, bringing us closer to a world where ultra-precise timekeeping is a standard feature in our mobile phones and computers." Owen Hughes is a freelance writer and editor specializing in data and digital technologies. Previously a senior editor at ZDNET, Owen has been writing about tech for more than a decade, during which time he has covered everything from AI, cybersecurity and supercomputers to programming languages and public sector IT. Owen is particularly interested in the intersection of technology, life and work ­– in his previous roles at ZDNET and TechRepublic, he wrote extensively about business leadership, digital transformation and the evolving dynamics of remote work. Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Google's 'moonshot factory' creates new internet with fingernail-sized chip that fires data around the world using light beams Key to faster 6G speeds lies in letting new AI architecture take control, scientists say Ancient Egyptian soldiers and Greek mercenaries were at 'Armageddon' when biblical king was killed, study suggests Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an Egyptian army where an Israelite king was killed. The discoveries at Megiddo, which inspired "Armageddon," reinforce biblical stories about King Josiah of Judah. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. New archaeological evidence from the ancient city of Megiddo — the location of the final battle "Armageddon" in the Book of Revelation — supports the biblical story of an Israelite king and Egyptian pharaoh clashing there more than 2,600 years ago. According to the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament (which are slightly different collections of ancient Hebrew writings), the Kingdom of Judah's King Josiah confronted the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II at Megiddo in 609 B.C. Now, an analysis of ancient pottery fragments indicates that Megiddo was indeed occupied by the Egyptians at that time, Israel Finkelstein, an archaeologist at the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University, told Live Science. Finkelstein is the lead author of a study describing the finds, which was published Jan. 28 in The Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament. He said in an email that large numbers of Egyptian pottery fragments had been discovered alongside Greek pottery fragments in a layer dating to the late seventh century — a time when Egypt often employed Greek mercenaries alongside Egyptian troops. The researchers determined the origins of the fragments by examining the type of clay and their style. The fragments support the biblical accounts that Egyptian forces were at Megiddo during Josiah's reign. However, the findings aren't direct evidence that Josiah was at the battle. If he was there, as the Bible says, it's unclear if Josiah died from wounds he'd suffered during a battle against the Egyptians at Megiddo, or if he was executed there as a vassal of the pharaoh. Josiah's death was later said to foretell the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. to the Neo-Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II, whose forces destroyed the First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple. Related: 1,800-year-old 'Iron Legion' Roman base discovered near 'Armageddon' is largest in Israel Archaeologist Assaf Kleiman of Ben-Gurion University, a study co-author, told Live Science in an email that the confrontation between the two rulers was described differently in two different places in the Bible. "The Josiah-Necho event at Megiddo in 609 BCE is described in the Bible twice: as an execution in a short chronistic verse in Kings and as a decisive battle in Chronicles," he said. The Book of Kings was written close to the time of the reported events, but the Book of Chronicles was composed centuries later, so the account in the Book of Kings was more reliable, he said. The finds indicate that Egyptian troops were stationed there with a contingent of Greek mercenaries when the biblical King Josiah of Judea was killed in 609 B.C. Experts say it is not clear whether King Josiah went to Megiddo to do battle as an enemy or as the leader of a vassal state who was executed by Pharaoh Necho. The ruins of Megiddo are now in a national park about 18 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Haifa. Megiddo was a strategically important city at a crossroads on trade and military routes, and it was occupied at different times by Canaanites, Israelites, Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians. Many great battles occurred at Megiddo, and its name inspired the word "Armageddon"—the location of a final battle prophesied in the New Testament's Book of Revelation, which now refers generally to the idea of the end of the world. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. Excavations at Megiddo have unearthed more than 20 archaeological layers since the 1920s. The layer with Egyptian and Greek pottery fragments described in the latest study is among several layers that date from after 732 B.C., when records indicate Megiddo was conquered by the Neo-Assyrians under their king Tiglath-Pileser III. According to the Bible, the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Neo-Assyrians about 10 years later, followed by the expulsion of the "10 tribes" or "lost tribes" of Israel. The many fragments of Greek pottery found at Megiddo suggest a contingent of Greek mercenaries were stationed there alongside Egyptian troops. The many Egyptian pottery fragments found in the same place indicate Megiddo was then under the military control of a force of Egyptian troops. There is debate among academics whether the encounter between Josiah and Necho at Megiddo in 609 B.C. was actually a battle, or if Necho had merely executed his vassal Josiah there—in other words, whether the southern Israelite kingdom of Judah was subordinate to Egypt at that time. The Bible does not record this, but history and archaeology indicate Egypt took over the region after 630 B.C. as Neo-Assyrian power declined. Historian Jacob Wright, a professor of Hebrew Bible at Emory University who was not involved in the study, told Live Science that Josiah had probably traveled from Jerusalem to Megiddo to pay homage to Necho but was executed there for an unknown reason. —Blood-red walls of Roman amphitheater unearthed near 'Armageddon' in Israel —2,800-year-old structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic practices and sacrifice, archaeologists say —2,700-year-old archaeological site in Jordan may be a biblical place visited by King David Wright and Reinhard Kratz, a historian at the University of Göttingen in Germany who was also not involved in the study, both noted that the relevant verse in the Book of Kings says only that Josiah traveled to Megiddo and was "put to death" there — and that nothing was written about a battle until more than 100 years later in the Book of Chronicles. The authors of the new study, too, are cautious about the circumstances of Josiah's death. Finkelstein noted that Josiah was considered an exceptionally pious king, and that the idea of "Armageddon" had only begun after his death. This suggests Josiah's death had led to prophecies that the final battle between the forces of God and the forces of evil would take place where he died, Finkelstein said. Editor's note: This article was updated at 9:28 a.m. ET to correctly attribute a quote explaining that the Josiah-Necho event at Megiddo is described twice in the Bible. That quote was said by archaeologist Assaf Kleiman of Ben-Gurion University, not by Israel Finkelstein, an archaeologist at the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University. Tom Metcalfe is a freelance journalist and regular Live Science contributor who is based in London in the United Kingdom. Tom writes mainly about science, space, archaeology, the Earth and the oceans. He has also written for the BBC, NBC News, National Geographic, Scientific American, Air & Space, and many others. Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Stonehenge isn't the oldest monument of its kind in England, study reveals 'Not enough survives to read the king's name': Tomb discovered of unknown ancient Egyptian pharaoh Scientists edge closer to creating super accurate, chip-sized atomic clock that can fit into your smartphone Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Most people exposed to the parasites behind babesiosis don't get sick, but for others, the infection can be deadly. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Disease name: Babesiosis Affected populations: Babesiosis is a rare and potentially fatal parasitic disease that destroys red blood cells, the cells that supply tissues with oxygen from the lungs. The disease, which is spread by ticks, occurs worldwide, including in the United States and Europe. Fewer than 3,000 cases of babesiosis are reported annually in the U.S., and they most commonly occur between May and September in the upper Midwest and Northeast, including in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York. Cases tend to rise in the spring and summer as this is when people are most likely to be in contact with the ticks that spread the disease. Causes: Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that belong to the genus Babesia. These parasites usually infect cattle and are spread between animals by ticks that eat the blood of different hosts. Related: Tick-borne parasite is spreading in the Northeast, CDC says Once inside the body, Babesia parasites invade and destroy red blood cells. This severely limits the ability of these cells to supply tissues with oxygen. While more than 100 species of Babesia parasites have been identified, overall, only a few species are known to infect humans. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. In the U.S., most babesiosis infections are caused by a parasite species called Babesia microti and are spread by blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), also known as deer ticks. These ticks are typically found in wooded, brushy or grassy areas. In rarer instances, Babesia parasites can be spread from one person to another via contaminated blood transfusions, and they can also spread from mother to fetus across the placenta. Symptoms: Most people exposed to Babesia parasites don't have any symptoms of babesiosis; this is especially true for young, healthy people. However, in individuals who have weakened immune systems or who are over the age of 50, the parasites can trigger severe disease. People who have had their spleen removed are also more vulnerable to serious infections than the average person, because the spleen normally helps remove infected red blood cells from the body. Typical symptoms of babesiosis include fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches and pains, as well as swelling of the liver and spleen and having a low level of red blood cells in the body. Symptoms usually emerge within one to four weeks of a person being infected with Babesia parasites, and they can last for several days after onset. Serious cases of babesiosis can cause multiorgan failure and death, as tissues are starved of oxygen. Estimates for death rates from babesiosis vary considerably between studies. However, surveillance data gathered in 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a 0.57% death rate among patients in the U.S. Death rates may be closer to 20% in patients who belong to high-risk groups, even when they receive treatment. Treatments: Patients who don't have symptoms of babesiosis usually don't require treatment, as the immune system will typically clear the parasites away within one to two weeks. —POLG diseases: Rare genetic conditions that starve cells of energy and afflicted the late Prince of Luxembourg —The rare genetic disorder that causes severe itchiness and liver failure —The deadly 'black fungus' infection that decimates flesh In symptomatic patients, the main treatment for babesiosis is a combination of antiparasitic drugs and antibiotics. The latter drugs are primarily used to treat bacterial infections, rather than parasitic infections, but certain kinds of antibiotics, such as clindamycin, can also be effective against parasites. Patients who are very sick may also require a blood transfusion to replace their damaged and infected red blood cells. The best way to prevent babesiosis is to avoid areas where ticks live, according to the CDC. If you are in those areas, there are precautions you can take to avoid tick bites. This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice. Emily is a health news writer based in London, United Kingdom. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Durham University and a master's degree in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience from Oxford University. She has worked in science communication, medical writing and as a local news reporter while undertaking NCTJ journalism training with News Associates. In 2018, she was named one of MHP Communications' 30 journalists to watch under 30. (emily.cooke@futurenet.com) Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 'We have to fight for a better end': Author John Green on how threats to USAID derail the worldwide effort to end tuberculosis Diagnostic dilemma: Growing weed with bat poop left 2 men with deadly infections 'Heat is the final boss. Heat is a different beast': The planetary peril no one will be able to avoid Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

"What will be new about heat deaths is the extent to which the lived environment will become physically uninhabitable for everyone, old and young, middle-aged, healthy and ill." When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. In this extract from "The Pocket Guide to Planetary Peril" (WH Allen, 2025), author Jakob Thomä, a professor at the University of London's SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance, examines an existential threat facing us all: heat. As the impacts of climate change take hold, Thomä argues that heat will become the risk no one can avoid. We live in places that will be flooded by rising sea levels. We have food production systems dependent on specific climates. And we have built economic structures, trade relationships and social dynamics contingent on certain temperatures. What's more, we are not alone in this world, and the rapidly changing climate is a threat to the flora and fauna with whom we share this planet. Some of us think this is a problem — although admittedly not all of us. The key questions then are: How fragile are systems to a changing climate? What are the costs of the impacts or shocks to the system (such as relocating people from places underwater, or victims of extreme weather events that are made more likely by climate change)? What are the costs of adapting to these impacts? How do we negotiate the equity and distributional impacts of these effects? And crucially, what are the costs of preventing these impacts to begin with? That is the climate discourse in a nutshell. Except for heat. Heat is a different story because we cannot live above a certain heat level. Of course, the heat story is driven by climate change, so at first glance it may seem I am making an artificial distinction here. Global warming is heat and heat is global warming. But the reason is that it creates an almost unmanageable risk, one incapable of being mitigated by adaptation, at least within the current technological paradigm. This is different to almost any other effect from climate change. We can maintain habitats below sea level, the Netherlands being a perfect example, through dams and adaptation. Perhaps we would not be able to do this everywhere, and perhaps we would decide that we couldn't be bothered — economically speaking — to do this, but we at least have the means. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. We can change food production patterns, our economic activity cycles, we can irrigate, we can create water, we can do all these things. Some have prohibitive price tags and come with dramatic non-financial costs to health, cultural capital and societal welfare. But they can be done. Related: 200,000 Americans could die of temperature-related causes each year if global warming hits 3C Heat is the final boss. Heat is a different beast. Heat deaths in and of themselves may not appear as a particularly new or novel phenomenon. They happen everywhere, as the frail, the ill and the old are unable to regulate their body temperatures during hot summers. And heat deaths can also happen to the young. One of the first "proven" victims of climate change is a 6-year-old boy from Toyota, Japan, who collapsed in a park on a morning field trip, and was dead by the afternoon. When I think of the heartbreak of our indifference, I think of him. These kinds of deaths will increase in frequency through climate change but, of course, as any self-respecting climate sceptic or denialist will tell you, we can also expect fewer deaths from cold temperatures. Indeed, there is some reason to believe that from a pure temperature perspective, temperature-related mortality has in fact decreased in the past decades, not just because of improved adaptation, but also because of warmer winters. —2024 was the hottest year on record, and the 1st to breach the 1.5 C global warming limit, data reveals —'An existential threat affecting billions': Three-quarters of Earth's land became permanently drier in last 3 decades —'Dengue is coming': Climate-fueled rise in cases will affect the US, scientists warn Over time, that pendulum — as we near 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius (2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) global warming above pre-industrial levels — will swing in the other direction, with up to 10 million annual climate deaths by the end of the century, according to some estimates (not counting the indirect deaths from climate poverty, conflict and so on). What will be new about heat deaths is the extent to which the lived environment will become physically uninhabitable for everyone, old and young, middle-aged, healthy and ill. Extracted from "The Pocket Guide to Planetary Peril" by Jakob Thomä (WH Allen, £16.99) The Pocket Guide to Planetary Peril: An A to Z (Kindle Edition) — $14.99 on Amazon The end of life, the universe and humanity as we know it – in a handy A to Z format. From the Atomic bomb to the Zombie apocalypse (via Black holes, Killer diseases and Space invaders), learn the truth about twenty-six fascinating doomsday scenarios. Featuring scientific facts, entertaining anecdotes and expert advice, this is a jaw-dropping book about what should REALLY be keeping you up at night. Jakob Thomä is a leading global expert on sustainability risks to financial markets. He is the co-Founder and incubator of several sustainability initiatives and companies (2° Investing Initiative, Theia Finance Labs, PACTA, tilt, MyFairMoney). Jakob is Professor in Practice at SOAS, University of London, where he teaches a course on Green Finance, a columnist at Responsible Investor, and the author of multiple books on sustainability and existential risks. Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 'We don't have a climate crisis — we are the crisis': Environmentalist Paul Hawken on why honoring life is the best thing we can do against climate change 1st glacier declared dead from climate change seen in before and after images — Earth from space We think it's the best DLSR ever made and the Nikon D850 is now at its best-ever price — discounted by a massive $1,000 Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

The brilliant Nikon D850 features in our best cameras for wildlife and astrophotography buyers guides for good reason and with 33% off at Amazon it's a camera deal worth grabbing fast. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. At Amazon right now, you can grab the Nikon D850 camera with a massive $1,000 discount off the Amazon RRP of $2,996.95. The $1,996.95 price tag is the first time we've seen the D850 under $2,000 and beats the previous Black Friday lowest price of $2,196.95. Editor's note: Walmart has a cheaper price at $1,859, although strictly not a deal as there is no previous RRP, it's still live and better than Amazon. The D850 was called the best DSLR ever made by our resident camera expert James Artaius. The D850 features in our best camera for wildlife photography guide and our best astrophotography cameras as the best DLSR option. James was keen to highlight the do-it-all capabilities of the Nikon DSLR, saying is an absolute dream for virtually every shooting situation and is a superbly versatile camera. Over at our sister site Space, the D850 is the camera expert's choice as the best overall in their best camera buyers guide. Save $1,000 on the Nikon D850, we think it's the best DLSR camera on the market. This superbly versatile camera delivers pro-level results with ease, and is a camera that should be with you for years. You'll need to provide your own lens as this deal is for the body only, but with a massive 33% discount off the Amazon RRP, you'll have some cash left over to buy an equally nice Nikon camera lens . Price check: Walmart $1,859 | Best Buy $1,999.95 We have a never-ending list of accolades to give the Nikon D850 but one of the highlights that distinguishes it from its DLSR rivals is its high resolution for capturing stunningly detailed imagery. The back-illuminated design of the sensor is able to acquire greater detail and clarity when working in low-light conditions — perfect for astrophotography. Elsewhere the D850 has an expandable sensitivity range from ISO 32 to 102400 and a 9fps continuous shooting rate for up to 51 consecutive frames combined with the autofocusing detection range that reaches down as low as -4EV making it a game-changing feature for DSLR ownership if you shoot fast-paced action — like wildlife photography. This DLSR camera deal is US-only, if you're not in the US, below are the best deals on the D850 in your location. Key features: 45.7MP full-frame CMOS sensor, 9fps burst rate, 8K UHD video, ISO range from 32-25,600 (extendable to 32-102,400) and superb auto-focus. Product launched: September 2017. Price history: This is the cheapest we've seen, and beats last year's Black Friday/Cyber Monday price of $2,196.95. Price comparison: The Nikon D850 is even cheaper at Walmart and a third-party seller at Walmart for $1,859 and at Best Buy for $1,999.95. Reviews consensus: The D850 features in our best camera for wildlife photography buyers guide and buyers guide for astrophotography. It gets top marks across our sister sites thanks to its versatile performance. It's an incredibly powerful tool for almost every kind of photography and video. At this current price, the D850 is terrific value for such a highly-rated camera. Live Science: ★★★★½ | TechRadar: ★★★★★| Space: ★★★★½ Featured in guides: Best camera for wildlife photography and best camera for Astrophotography. ✅ Buy it if: You want mind-blowingly detailed images, 8K UHD video footage and a superbly versatile offering that makes the D850 one of the best DLSR cameras ever made. ❌ Don't buy it if: You want a lighter camera, then the Nikon Z8 or Canon R5 are two of the best mirrorless cameras around. Check out our other guides to the best air purifiers, air purifiers for allergies, the best telescopes, microscopes for students, binoculars, rowing machines, electric toothbrushes and more. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. Paul is a deals writer for Live Science and writes across the stable of Sports and Knowledge brands at Future. He has previously worked in cycling media and authored numerous articles on Bike Perfect, Cycling News and Cycling Weekly. Paul is an award-winning photographer having won Mountain Photographer of the Year with Trail Magazine and has a passionate interest in all things photography. A keen hiker and mountaineer he has written and published his own book – Mountaineering in the Scottish Highlands and founded Proper Adventure magazine. Paul will be found most weekends with his camera in hand either at cycling events or on a mountain summit. Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Apple Watch Series 10 hits its lowest-ever price — this Apple deal is just too good to miss Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binocular review 'The universe has thrown us a curveball': Largest-ever map of space reveals we might have gotten dark energy totally wrong Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Advertisement Weather Girl, a play in London's Soho Theatre about a weather forecaster who finally snaps as the climate apocalypse looms, is frantic and funny By Bethan Ackerley 20 March 2025 Julia McDermott in Weather GirlPAMELA RAITH Julia McDermott in Weather Girl PAMELA RAITH Weather Girl, at London's Soho Theatre until 5 April, is a frantic and funny one-woman show about the looming climate apocalypse. Written by Brian Watkins, it stars Julia McDermott as Stacey, a local weather forecaster in Fresno, California. Sandwiched between segments on dog shows and testicular tanning, her reports on the droughts and wildfires in her state are always delivered with a winning smile – until, one day, she snaps. Weather Girl is an attack on wilful ignorance – of climate change, naturally, but also of the plight of women like Stacey,… Advertisement Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers. To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers Existing subscribers Advertisement Explore the latest news, articles and features Comment Subscriber-only News Free News Subscriber-only News Free Trending New Scientist articles Advertisement Download the app

Only $2.99 a month Crustaceans exposed to guano moved in zigzags and ate less algae In lab experiments, Antarctic krill that smelled trouble — in the form of penguin poop — were quick to make a break for it. Gerald Corsi/iStock/Getty Images Plus By Maria Temming 11 hours ago The foul stench of penguin poop sets Antarctic krill on edge. In lab experiments, the mere scent of penguin droppings — or guano — sent krill scrambling for escape, researchers report March 20 in Frontiers in Marine Science. The stink also seemed to suppress krill's appetites. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) form a cornerstone of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. “They're the main food source for all of the big, charismatic fauna,” says Nicole Hellessey, an Antarctic marine scientist at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. Whales, penguins and seals all eat — or eat things that eat — krill. Understanding the critters' movements could help identify key areas for marine conservation. Krill use their antennae to sniff out food, mates and even pollution. But scientists weren't sure if they could detect predators by scent. To find out, Hellessey and her colleagues netted krill off the Antarctic Peninsula and transported them to nearby Palmer Station. In the lab, the team let krill loose in a flume filled with flowing seawater, adding either algae for the krill to eat, a bit of Adélie penguin poop or both. Cameras tracked the krill's 3-D movement. Working with the krill was fun, says oceanographer David Fields of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine. “They truly are these cute, charismatic animals.” Working with penguin poop was another story. “Penguin crap is the most vile thing you can imagine,” Fields says. Just opening guano storage bags “would clear the entire lab space.” Krill showed a similar reaction to the smell. In algae-only water, they quickly swam toward the food then lingered near the buffet. But in water with algae and guano, the krill zigzagged, Hellessey says. “They'd sort of dart in, eat and dart out.” Krill swam in frantic zigzags in water containing only penguin poop, too. A second set of experiments placed krill in seawater buckets with either algae or algae plus guano. Over 22 hours, krill in the algae-only buckets ate about 67 percent of the food. Krill in buckets with penguin poop ate only about 25 percent. The scientists aren't sure what aromas in penguin feces the krill are reacting to. But since Adélie penguins' diets are over 99 percent krill, “a lot of that guano would have crushed-up krill sort of scents,” Hellessey suspects. Some chemical cue might make the krill go, “‘Oh my god, my buddy's hurt, I shouldn't go over there.'” Questions or comments on this article? E-mail us at feedback@sciencenews.org | Reprints FAQ N. Hellessey, M. Weissburg and D.M. Fields. Penguin guano suppresses the grazing rate and modifies swimming behaviour in Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba). Frontiers in Marine Science. Published online March 20, 2025. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2025.1508287. Previously the staff writer for physical sciences at Science News, Maria Temming is the assistant managing editor at Science News Explores. She has bachelor's degrees in physics and English, and a master's in science writing. We are at a critical time and supporting climate journalism is more important than ever. Science News and our parent organization, the Society for Science, need your help to strengthen environmental literacy and ensure that our response to climate change is informed by science. Please subscribe to Science News and add $16 to expand science literacy and understanding. Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. Today, our mission remains the same: to empower people to evaluate the news and the world around them. It is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education (EIN 53-0196483). © Society for Science & the Public 2000–2025. All rights reserved. Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions. Not a subscriber? Become one now.