New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Arctic Ocean may be ice-free within 20 years

Anthony Wood February 28, 2019

The Arctic Ocean could experience an ice-free summer at some time in the next 20 years, according to a newly-published study. The thawing is due to a combination of a natural warming phase, coupled with the effects of human-induced climate change.

The Arctic could have an ice-free summer by the middle of the century

Environment Audio available

Huge ancient ice wall across the Bering Strait may have triggered Ice Age

Michael Irving December 20, 2018

Most climate change events can be linked to specific causes, but the cause of the last major shift, which occurred about a million years ago, has remained a mystery. By taking samples from the ocean floor of the Bering Sea, a new study may have uncovered the mechanism behind this outlier event.

A new study suggests the last ice age was caused by an ice wall across the ...

Environment

Microplastics discovered in the guts of sea turtles all over the world

Nick Lavars December 12, 2018

There remains a lot we don't know about the whereabouts of the all the plastic waste that washes into the ocean each year, but scientists are continuing to discover bits and pieces in increasingly concerning places, a list that now includes turtles.

A new study has found microplastics in the guts of 102 sea turtles

Space Audio available

Warm Neptune exoplanet atmosphere inflates to resemble a balloon

Anthony Wood December 7, 2018

An international team of astronomers has discovered that helium atoms are causing the atmosphere of a "warm-Neptune" exoplanet to expand like a party balloon before escaping into the cold expanse of space.

Artist's impression of an exoplanet with a helium-rich atmosphere

Medical

Novel compounds turn old cells young again in promising new anti-aging research

Rich Haridy August 7, 2018

A new study from researchers at the University of Exeter has shown how three specifically designed compounds can target the mitochondria in older human cells, effectively rejuvenating those cells and making them act young again to reverse key signs of aging.

A close-up of the process of cellular senescence in human cells, a key mechanism underlying aging

Environment

Are fish losing their sense of smell due to more-acidic oceans?

Ben Coxworth July 24, 2018

A couple of years ago we heard about a study conducted at Britain's University of Exeter, which indicated that increasingly acidic oceans were harming fishes' sense of smell. New research now reinforces that finding, and it could mean that trouble is in store for the marine ecosystem.

Although European sea bass were used in the study, the scientists state that the findings are ...

Environment

LEDs cut seabird death toll from fishing by 85 percent

Ben Coxworth July 11, 2018

According to the University of Exeter, an estimated 400,000 diving seabirds die annually by getting caught in gill nets intended to catch fish. A new study indicates that the majority of those deaths could be avoided, however, if the nets were to be equipped with inexpensive green LEDs.

Medical

Needle-free: 10-year study confirms rare diabetes can be treated with tablets

Nick Lavars June 5, 2018

For a long time, insulin injections have simply been a fact of life for people – including babies – suffering from neonatal diabetes. But a new 10-year study has now shown tablets to be just as effective, with recipients hailing the new approach as a "miracle treatment."

Needles could now be a thing of the past for sufferers of neonatal diabetes

Space

Astronomers spot the first cloud-free exoplanet

Nick Lavars May 8, 2018

An important arm of exoplanet research involves the study of the atmospheres that surround these distant worlds. The molecules they hold can reveal valuable insights into what kind conditions can be found there – along with ones that cannot.

Artist's impression of the exoplanet WASP-96b

Space

Helium discovered in exoplanet atmosphere for the first time

Anthony Wood May 2, 2018

An international team of astronomers has made the first-ever detection of helium in the atmosphere of an extrasolar world. The new technique used to make the discovery could pave the way for scientists hoping to reveal the atmospheres of distant Earth-sized exoplanets.

Artist's impression of a 'Super-Neptune' exoplanet