Archaeology

Ancient Parrot DNA Points to Pre-Inca Animal Trade

A pair of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Costa Rica. Image credit: Julio-César Chávez / CC BY 4.0.

Ancient DNA from brightly colored feathers found in Peru shows that at least four distinct species of Amazonian parrots — the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), the red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus) and mealy amazon (Amazona farinosa) — were transported alive over the Andes centuries before the Inca Empire, evidence of sophisticated long-distance...

Biology

Study: Raccoons Don’t Just Solve Puzzles for Food, They Do It for Fun

Multiaccess puzzle box with easy (a), medium (b) and hard (c) solutions. Image credit: Griebling et al., doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2026.123491.

In a new study led by University of British Columbia Ph.D. student Hannah Griebling, raccoons (Procyon lotor) continued manipulating complex puzzle boxes long after retrieving the only marshmallow reward, suggesting the animals seek information for its own sake — a behavior that may underpin their urban success. Multiaccess puzzle box with easy (a), medium (b) and hard (c) solutions. Image...

Physics

Astrophysicists Propose New Method to Measure Hubble Constant

Schematic of the expansion of the Universe from the Big Bang to the present day. Image credit: NASA / EFBrazil.

Astrophysicists from the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago have developed an innovative method to measure the Hubble constant — the rate at which the Universe is expanding — using the subtle background hum of gravitational waves. As gravitational-wave detectors become more sensitive in the coming years, this approach could reshape our understanding of cosmic history...

Genetics

New Research Links Daily Multivitamins to Slower Biological Aging

Li et al. evaluated the two-year effect of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg epicatechin) on five DNA methylation measures of biological aging among 958 participants (482 women and 476 men) in the COSMOS study. Image credit: Ri Butov.

In a randomized clinical trial of older adults, researchers found that taking multivitamins for two years modestly slowed epigenetic markers of aging — equivalent to roughly four months less biological aging compared with a placebo. Li et al. evaluated the two-year effect of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg epicatechin)...

Geology

New Research Uncovers Hidden Complexity beneath Martian Surface

This perspective view from ESA’s Mars Express shows three of Mars’ famously colossal volcanoes (from left to right): Arsia, Pavonis and Ascraeus Mons. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

New orbital data reveal that the most recently active volcanic systems on Mars weren’t simple one-off blasts into space; instead, long-lived magmatic plumbing beneath Pavonis Mons, one of the Red Planet’s largest volcanoes, reshaped lava flows over time, with distinct eruptive phases and evolving chemical signatures, offering fresh insights into the planet’s inner dynamics and how rocky planets...

Other Sciences

New Research Links Daily Multivitamins to Slower Biological Aging

Li et al. evaluated the two-year effect of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg epicatechin) on five DNA methylation measures of biological aging among 958 participants (482 women and 476 men) in the COSMOS study. Image credit: Ri Butov.

In a randomized clinical trial of older adults, researchers found that taking multivitamins for two years modestly slowed epigenetic markers of aging — equivalent to roughly four months less biological aging compared with a placebo. Li et al. evaluated the two-year effect of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg epicatechin)...