Researchers have discovered a 42-centimeter snake fossil in Brazil that provides new insights into the origin of snakes. The fossil, named Tametara mirim, had an endocranial anatomy and inner ear consistent with an underground lifestyle, suggesting that snakes already existed 80 million years ago in an ecologically diverse population.
Researchers re-examine the fossil record, proposing that animals may have originated between 800 and 700 million years ago, predating some of Earth's most extreme ice ages. This new timeline transforms our understanding of animal evolution and challenges existing assumptions about the origins of life on Earth.
A 345-million-year-old fossil of Westlothiana lizziae, once considered the world's oldest reptile, has been rewritten. The study reveals primitive gills and fish-like teeth, suggesting the animal was aquatic or amphibious, not terrestrial. This challenges the long-held idea that reptiles originated on land.
Researchers describe Jeanerpeton mazonensis, a 309-million-year-old proto-amphibian discovered in Illinois, providing insights into ancient amphibian evolution. The fossil specimen features preserved scales, eye impressions, and gastralia, supporting its classification as a distinct species.
A recent study, led by Arizona State University, has revised scientists' understanding of bat origins, relationships, and evolutionary traits. The team combined genomic and fossil evidence to show that bats and mammalian flight most likely originated in Europe around 65 million years ago.
Scientists have developed a tool to help researchers focus their efforts on areas with promising new discoveries, providing a 'treasure map' for the search for past life. By analyzing fossil data and geological trends, the researchers identified regions with a high potential for new finds, particularly in the Cenozoic Era.
Nagoya Institute of Technology researchers develop ionic liquid membrane-based separation of nitrogen compounds from hydrocarbons in liquid fuels. The study demonstrates affinity-driven membrane-based separation, which selectively enriches pyridine and reduces hydrogen consumption.
The conflict in Iran is driving people away from fossil fuels, with the world less economically reliant on them. Effective solutions include deep investments in clean energy, public transportation, and urban planning, as well as emergency measures like cash transfers and targeted assistance for low-income households.
Researchers have developed an electrically powered plasma heating method to produce cement without burning fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 100 times. The new method lowers waste heat and introduces nanoscale defects that improve the strength of cement.
Scientists discovered a 100-million-year-old beetle fossil that reveals early evolution of firefly sensory and signaling systems. The fossil preserves elaborate antennae and light-emitting organs, suggesting that lampyroid beetles relied heavily on pheromonal cues for mate searching.
A new study documents fossil footprints of eight adult Paranthropus boisei individuals, indicating human-like body sizes and complex social structures. The discovery provides a rare snapshot of 'fossil behavior' from an ancient hominin group in northern Kenya.
A new study assesses China's ability to reach its energy-related carbon emission peak and related climate targets by 2030, accounting for uncertainties in total energy consumption and non-fossil energy development. The analysis finds that stronger policy support for wind and solar raises the probability of peaking emissions on time, wh...
Scientists have discovered a 518-million-year-old fossil named Urokodia, which shows the earliest evidence of spiders' fangs. The fossils revealed two pincer-like limbs emerging behind the eyes, marking the beginning of chelicerae. This discovery sheds light on the origin of spider bites and book gills in the Chelicerate family.
Researchers estimate that up to 90% of data center carbon dioxide emissions could be stored in underground saline aquifers, mitigating the reversal of declining carbon dioxide emissions. Deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies at scale requires partnerships between data center owners, utilities, and CCS providers.
A 113-million-year-old pterosaur fossil has been found with exceptionally well-preserved chemical traces hinting at its diet. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into the preservation process of fossils, challenging long-held ideas about how ancient organisms were preserved.
A new Canada Research Chair is being used to accelerate the energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for remote communities. Professor Jasmin Raymond's research program focuses on geothermal energy, green hydrogen storage, and natural hydrogen exploration to meet energy needs while minimizing environmental impacts.
A research team discovered six modern fish groups, including jack, moonfish, and pipefish, dated to 62.2 million years ago, helping to fill a 10 million year gap in the fossil record. The findings suggest that certain fish groups likely went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period, while others were established early on.
A new fossil species, Plumadraco, has been found with the longest tail feathers ever recorded on a fossil bird. The analysis suggests that the bird's tail feathers were used for attracting mates, and the color of the feathers was probably dark brown or black.
A full fossil fuel phase-out by mid-century relies on rapid direct electrification alongside large-scale deployment of hydrogen-based energy carriers. This would require an 80% increase in electricity generation compared to conventional 1.5°C pathways.
The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.
A new study reveals that even the most remote corners of the ocean are contaminated with zinc from human sources, surpassing natural zinc levels. Zinc from fossil fuel combustion and industrial emissions dominates the upper layer of the South Pacific, posing a potential threat to marine life and nutrient balances.
Researchers develop solar-powered technology to convert plastic waste into valuable fuels, including hydrogen and syngas, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and addressing pollution challenges.
Researchers found a 100-million-year-old forest ecosystem's diversity in Kachin region amber. The fossil, a true water bug with striking chelae, is the fourth known case of these structures evolving independently.
Twelve climate researchers present a policy brief calling for the phasing out of fossil fuels, citing international law and economic feasibility. The policy package offers six integrated solutions to facilitate a controlled transition, addressing key obstacles such as production, taxation, and labor protection.
A new atlas reveals significant overlaps between Arctic oil and gas development and Indigenous Peoples' Lands, ecologically sensitive areas, and key Arctic species. The study highlights potential ecological disruption and social tension in heavily-exploited regions.
New Oxford analysis finds that up to 90% of industrial energy demand could be electrified with existing technologies, but policy failures and technology risks hold back deployment. Electrification offers a pathway to stable and resilient energy costs, reducing exposure to geopolitical disruption and price volatility.
Researchers have discovered a new species of basal medusozoan, Paleocanna tentaculum, in fossil specimens found in Saint-Joachim, Quebec. The ancient creature, closely related to modern jellyfish, is a rare find due to the limited preservation of soft-bodied organisms.
A new study finds that when droughts strike, Europe's hydropower and renewables aren't enough to meet energy demand, forcing countries to rely on fossil fuels and increasing CO2 emissions by 180 TWh. The study also reveals that power production from fossil fuels in the EU increased by 7% of total generation in 2022.
A 300-million-year-old fossil previously thought to be the world's oldest octopus has been revealed to be a nautiloid relative, with modern synchrotron imaging techniques uncovering tiny teeth that prove its true nature. The discovery pushes back the known history of octopuses by around 150 million years.
A newly discovered fossil site in southwest China reveals that many key animal groups evolved before the start of the Cambrian Period. The study found fossils of ancestors of modern starfish, sea cucumbers, and chordates, pushing back the timeline of complex animal life by at least 4 million years.
A newly discovered fossil ape from Egypt, Masripithecus moghraensis, sheds light on the origins of modern apes. The species, which lived around 17-18 million years ago, provides a crucial intermediate link between African and Eurasian fossil records, revealing that apes were already diversifying in the region.
A newly discovered fossil ape from northern Egypt has significantly rewritten the understanding of early hominoid evolution. The Masripithecus species, dating back to around 17-18 million years ago, represents the closest known hominoid relation to the lineage that ultimately gave rise to all living apes, including humans.
A KIT study shows that Europe has enough renewable resources to replace fossil fuels in road transport. The research highlights the potential of using diverse raw materials like straw, wood scraps, and organic waste to produce climate-friendly fuels.
A new catalyst developed by Washington State University researchers efficiently converts abundant renewable ethanol into valuable molecules needed for production of plastics, fuels, and everyday products. The advance could someday make it easier to use renewables rather than petrochemicals to make common products.
A new species of baby dinosaur, Doolysaurus huhmini, has been discovered on Aphae Island in Korea, estimated to be around two years old. The fossil was analyzed using X-ray technology and revealed growth markers, gastroliths, and a possible fuzzy coat, providing insights into the dinosaur's diet and anatomy.
Scientists discovered a 4-meter-long Polycotylus fossil with a huge tooth embedded in its neck vertebrae, suggesting a violent attack by an enormous bony fish called Xiphactinus. The fossil's internal structure was analyzed using CT scanning, revealing a three-dimensional model of the tooth and its attacker.
A comprehensive techno-economic assessment of low-carbon fuel production technologies reveals that no single technology will dominate globally. Costs vary significantly between regions, depending on local resources and financing conditions. The analysis provides guidance on where investment may be most effective in making these technol...
Low-smoke fuels produce a two- to three-fold increase in ultrafine particles, even as total mass of particulate emissions is reduced. UFPs penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and induce severe pulmonary inflammation, promoting higher lung and alveolar deposition.
New research reveals that burning 'low smoke' manufactured fuels releases tiny ultrafine particles, potentially harming human health. The study highlights the urgent need to revise air quality standards and reduce residential solid fuel burning as part of efforts to decarbonize the economy.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a new method for producing everyday goods without relying on fossil fuels. By harnessing hydrogen produced by microorganisms from waste bread, they have created a low-energy process that can be carbon-negative, removing more greenhouse gases than it produces.
A new monitor tracks the energy transition in Hungary, finding that roughly half of companies increased their share of low-carbon electricity, while others continued to rely on fossil fuels. The study suggests that size, revenue spent on fossil fuels, and initial investments influence a company's willingness to switch to electrification.
Researchers argue that acknowledging and planning for limits in fossil fuel systems is essential for a safe and just energy transition. Failing to do so may trigger service collapses, safety hazards, economic shocks, and environmental harm.
Researchers identify vulnerabilities in three major sectors: physical, financial, and managerial 'cliffs' that could trigger localized energy crises and price shocks. Policymakers are urged to adopt managed decline strategies to avoid disruption of services and stabilize the mid-transition period to zero carbon energy.
The Huayuan biota provides a rare snapshot of ancient ecosystems following the Sinsk Event mass extinction, featuring diverse animal species, complex food webs, and fully functional biological carbon pump mechanisms. The discovery sheds light on transoceanic dispersal events and refugia for faunal migration during this critical post-ex...
The pilot plant enables production of demand-oriented quantities of fossil and renewable fuels, documenting their climate impact transparently. Regenerative reFuels can be used in various transport modes, reducing CO2 emissions.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology shows that locally produced green hydrogen is the best option for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty road transport. This method enables all countries to become self-sufficient in energy and fuel, even in times of crisis.
A new review highlights how converting biomass into gaseous fuels like hydrogen, methane, and syngas can play a critical role in the global transition to low-carbon energy systems. Biomass-based gaseous fuels can be used for electricity generation, industrial heat, transportation, and as building blocks for chemicals and synthetic fuels.
Global renewable energy growth accelerates, covering all new electricity demand in the first half of 2025, with solar and wind leading the way. China's manufacturing dominance makes small-scale rooftop solar systems widely accessible, providing reliable energy security for millions across Europe, South Asia, and the Global South.
A new study has found that frogs have preserved their skin and eye structure over millions of years, with melanosomes showing similar shapes in fossil and modern specimens. This suggests that some species are maintaining ancestral traits instead of evolving new ones.
A new fossil face from Gona, Ethiopia, has provided insights into the first hominin species to disperse from Africa. The 1.5-million-year-old fossil, called DAN5, shows a mix of typical Homo erectus characters in its braincase but more ancestral features in its face and teeth.
A new study reveals that Southeast Asia is a significant source of climate-warming gases, with deforestation and fossil fuel use leading the way. The region's natural carbon sinks are being overwhelmed, making it challenging for countries to reach climate neutrality without urgent regional action.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona finds that fossil fuel companies' promoted low-carbon projects are ineffective in reducing emissions and prolonging the lifespan of fossil fuel infrastructures. These projects reinforce the industry's power and aggravate environmental injustice, while delaying a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels.
A 300-million-year-old horseshoe crab fossil reveals evidence of ancient microbial infestation, pushing back the timeline of such events by over 300 million years. The discovery sheds light on the early interactions between animals and microbes in Late Carboniferous ecosystems.
A tiny fossil bird named Chromeornis funkyi has been discovered with a massive cluster of stones in its throat, suggesting it likely choked to death. The unusual find provides new insights into the evolution of dinosaurs and birds, revealing that this species may have died due to regurgitation of swallowed rocks.
A new study reveals that the burning of fossil fuels is accelerating winter rainfall changes in Northern and central Europe, including the UK, by more than two decades. This finding significantly upsets climate model projections, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation planning and infrastructure investment.
Experts urge countries to mobilize massive investments in renewable energy and redefine international frameworks to revoke fossil fuel licenses. The team warns of high levels of oil pollution affecting indigenous communities in the Amazon and proposes revoking licenses for repeat offenses.
A Boston University study finds nearly 14% of the US population lives within a mile of fossil fuel infrastructure, posing potential health risks. The research highlights inequities in exposure, with predominantly non-white groups and urbanites disproportionately affected.
The 2025 Global Carbon Budget projects a record high of 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO2 emissions, with decarbonisation efforts not enough to offset growing energy demand. Climate change is weakening the land and ocean carbon sinks, reducing the remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
A new copper-based catalyst converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide at lower temperatures than current methods, reducing process costs and improving efficiency. The catalyst achieves high activity even under low-temperature conditions, making it suitable for real industrial settings.
A new report warns that the planet is on a dangerous path and that rapid action can avert the worst outcomes of climate change. The report highlights the need for effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, including reducing fossil fuel consumption and promoting renewable energy sources.