The Guardian Science

The enigmatic summer phenomenon shining from the edge of space

With no recorded sightings before 1885, noctilucent clouds have been linked to volcanoes, pollution or climate changeAs summer arrives in the northern hemisphere, so do the noctilucent clouds – hopefully. These high-altitude formations are as enigmatic as they are beautiful. Their name derives from Latin, meaning “night shining”.They appear during the summer months and glow with an electric-blue intensity against the darkening western sky. Look for them about half an hour after sunset. Continue

science  Jun 1, 2026

NASA News

Gravity Waves From Super Typhoon Sinlaku

Satellites observed striking upper-atmosphere phenomena generated by an intensifying tropical cyclone.

science  Jun 1, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists found the hidden switch fueling alzheimer’s brain inflammation

Scientists at Scripps Research have uncovered a molecular “switch” that appears to fuel the damaging brain inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s disease. They found that a protein called STING becomes chemically altered in a way that keeps the brain’s immune system stuck in overdrive, harming the connections between nerve cells.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Why cancer spreads more in middle age than in old age

Melanoma may not become steadily more dangerous with age as scientists once assumed. In a surprising discovery, researchers found that cancer spread was lowest in young mice, surged in middle-aged mice, and then dropped again in very old mice. The key appears to be a special type of immune cell that helps keep cancer dormant and prevents it from spreading.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds

Great apes appear to build friendships much like humans do. By studying grooming behavior, researchers discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form close inner circles along with wider networks of weaker social connections. Chimpanzees focus on a few trusted partners and become more selective with age, while bonobos maintain a more egalitarian social style.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

New solar desalination breakthrough makes fresh water without toxic brine

Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine. Special laser-textured metal panels use sunlight to evaporate water while automatically moving salt deposits away from the working surface, preventing clogging. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

A quantum metasurface breakthrough could finally close the terahertz gap

Researchers have developed a compact quantum detector that makes terahertz radiation much easier to detect. A specially designed metasurface funnels incoming energy into tiny active regions, greatly strengthening the electrical signal produced. The approach boosted efficiency by roughly 20 times compared to earlier designs and could pave the way for more practical THz devices in healthcare, communications, and scientific research.

science  May 31, 2026

The Guardian Science

If an alien landed and asked you: ‘What is music?’ what would you play for them?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsIf an alien landed and asked you: “What is this thing you call music?” what would you play for them? And why? Heather, KentPost your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published next Sunday.Due to a production error, a new Notes & Queries question was not published on

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

The ocean's health may depend on a tiny microbe inside fish

A surprising new discovery suggests that tiny microbes living inside fish may be helping shape the chemistry of the world’s oceans. Scientists found evidence that bacteria in the guts of marine fish work alongside their hosts to produce calcium carbonate, a mineral that plays an important role in ocean health and carbon storage. For years, researchers believed fish handled this process on their own, but the new findings point to a hidden partnership between fish and microbes.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

The secret to pigeons’ incredible navigation was hiding in their liver

Scientists have uncovered a surprising navigation system in pigeons: iron-filled immune cells in the liver that may act like tiny magnetic sensors. Birds deprived of these cells struggled to find their way home under overcast skies, indicating they rely on Earth’s magnetic field for guidance. The discovery could solve a decades-old mystery about animal navigation and reveal an unexpected connection between immunity and sensing the environment.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Intermittent fasting triggers surprising changes in the brain

Losing weight may involve rewiring the gut and the brain at the same time. In a study of obese adults, an intermittent fasting-style diet led to significant weight loss, healthier metabolic markers, and notable shifts in gut bacteria. Brain scans also revealed changes in regions tied to appetite, cravings, and self-control. The results suggest the gut microbiome and brain may work together to influence weight-loss success.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Omega-3 fish oil shows promise against type 2 diabetes

A new study suggests fish oil may help reduce insulin resistance even in people who aren't obese. In diabetic rats, omega-3 supplementation improved blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and inflammation by shifting immune cells into a more anti-inflammatory mode.

science  May 31, 2026

The Guardian Science

Meteor explodes over Massachusetts, setting off loud booms

Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apartA meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed over the region with a blast equivalent to 300 tons of TNT.The fireball broke up over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire just after 2pm (1806 GMT), the US space agency’s deputy news chief Jennifer Dooren told AFP in a statement.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

New 3D silicon chip breakthrough could extend Moore’s Law for years

As traditional chip miniaturization slows, researchers have found a way to pack more computing power into the same space by stacking silicon circuits in multiple layers. The new process uses ultra-thin silicon membranes and low-temperature manufacturing techniques to overcome a major obstacle that has long blocked the production of true 3D chips.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Repairing DNA damage: Scientists discover a surprising new benefit of melatonin

A new study suggests melatonin supplements may help night shift workers boost their body's DNA repair processes, potentially offsetting some of the damage linked to working overnight. The findings are early but raise the possibility of a simple strategy to help reduce long-term health risks associated with night shift work.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Ancient DNA reveals how women helped transform prehistoric Europe

New DNA evidence shows that Europe’s hunter-gatherers and early farmers interacted far more closely than previously thought, with women likely playing a crucial role in spreading farming across northwestern Europe. Centuries later, the arrival of Bell Beaker migrants triggered another sweeping population transformation that extended all the way to Britain.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology

By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

This tomato-soy juice reduced inflammation in just four weeks

A specially formulated tomato-soy juice packed with natural plant compounds may help calm inflammation linked to obesity, according to a new clinical study. Healthy adults with obesity who drank the juice daily for four weeks saw significant reductions in several key inflammatory proteins in their blood, while a control tomato juice did not produce the same effect.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Caffeine reversed memory problems caused by sleep deprivation

Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals. In laboratory studies, caffeine restored communication between neurons in this pathway and reversed the memory deficits caused by lost sleep. The effect was remarkably targeted, helping the impaired circuit recover without overstimulating normal brain function.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Stanford quantum computing breakthrough uses twisted light to work without extreme cooling

A new room-temperature quantum device uses twisted light to entangle photons and electrons, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles in quantum technology. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, cheaper quantum systems with applications ranging from secure communications to future AI and computing platforms.

science  May 30, 2026