Science & Earth

Scientists and park rangers released 158 juvenile hybrid giant tortoises on Floreana Island, the first tortoises there in more than 180 years; the animals carry roughly 40–80% of the extinct Floreana species' genetics and will be tracked with GPS as part of a larger reintroduction program.

Heavy rain and landslides in Minas Gerais have left 55 people dead and prompted ongoing rescue operations, with authorities warning of more rain and strong winds.

Spring 2026 includes a chance of a new Great Comet appearing in early April and the Sun crosses the celestial equator on March 20, which can coincide with increased geomagnetic activity.

Researchers re-examined Apollo lunar samples and report that titanium-rich rocks preserve evidence of brief, intense magnetic spikes three to four billion years ago; future Artemis samples from the south pole are expected to provide further information.

MindRank has dosed the first patient in the Phase III MOBILE trial of MDR-001, an AI-designed oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity and type 2 diabetes. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is planned for about 750 patients across 50 clinical centers in China.

MindRank announced it has dosed the first patient in a Phase III trial of MDR-001, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist designed using the company's AI platforms. The company says the program used its PharmKG knowledge graph, Molecule Dance protein simulation, and Molecule Pro generative AI with ADMET prediction alongside wet‑lab validation.

Twenty wood bison were moved from Elk Island National Park to a Willow Lake Métis Nation ranch near Anzac as part of a $50-million, multi-year food sustainability plan.

The Okanagan Valley combines long, sunny summers with a semi‑arid climate and alkaline soils, and many moisture‑loving perennials commonly sold in nurseries struggle or fail there.

Researchers report the first observation of a quantized Hall drift of light, extending a quantum transport effect previously observed with electrons. The quantum Hall effect is known for step-like plateaus tied to fundamental constants such as the electron charge and the Planck constant.

The Toronto Zoo reported a healthy female Masai giraffe calf was born early Sunday and that the mother, Mstari, and the calf are doing well. The calf's father, Kiko, died in January and the zoo said it will share updates on the pair and on visitor arrangements.

After nearly five months, Daisy, a three-year-old boxer-rottweiler mix from Stayner, Ont., was captured on Feb. 20 and reunited with her owner after a volunteer-led search and monitoring effort through harsh winter conditions.

A female Masai giraffe calf was born at the Toronto Zoo at 1:26 a.m. and was standing within 30 minutes; the zoo says mother and calf are doing well and were left to bond.

A University of Winnipeg team is sequencing viruses that infect microalgae in Lake Winnipeg; analysis is ongoing and initial results show diverse viruses including larger "giant viruses".

Metrolinx is building a standalone chimney at 500 Howard Street in Oshawa as an environmental requirement during Simcoe Street bridge reconstruction, and the work is scheduled to finish April 3.

Six Manitoba hunters and wildlife experts are urging the public to oppose federal proposals to allow a tundra swan season and set limits for mourning doves; the amendments would allow up to 400 tundra swan permits in Manitoba and propose a daily limit of 15 mourning doves.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by ExxonMobil and Suncor challenging a Colorado court's decision that allowed Boulder’s 2018 climate lawsuit to proceed. The case seeks monetary damages for costs Boulder says are tied to climate impacts and could influence similar suits nationwide.

Two UBC studies report that forest loss and how forests are arranged increase the share of fast-moving 'young water' in watersheds, and a separate paper finds that forests can alter flood frequency and probability.

Archaeologists in Córdoba, Spain uncovered an elephant ankle bone dated to about the early 4th–late 3rd century BCE, and it was found with stone artillery projectiles that researchers say point to a military context.

An environmental review has begun for a proposed B.C. solar project after BC Hydro issued a call for power, and a new calf has been reported for the endangered southern resident killer whales.

NASA plans the first crewed moon flight in 52 years with Artemis II after a successful wet dress rehearsal; officials are targeting March 6 as the earliest launch attempt.

The article reports that just over 27% of the seafloor is mapped to modern standards and that scientists estimate about 91% of ocean life remains unidentified.

Researchers extracted whole genomes from three naturally mummified cheetahs found in caves near Arar, Saudi Arabia, and found two older specimens genetically closer to the Northwest African cheetah subspecies, indicating at least two lineages once lived on the Arabian Peninsula.

Insured losses from floods and wildfires in Canada have grown from about $300 million a year three decades ago to roughly $3 billion on average today, with 2024 reaching $9.4 billion. A 2025 review found the federal National Adaptation Strategy lacks key systems for prioritizing risk and tracking performance.

A modelling study proposes removing mature boreal trees, floating them down Arctic rivers and sinking them in deep Arctic waters while replanting fast‑growing trees; the authors estimate this could sequester about one gigaton of CO2 per year if done on roughly 1% of the boreal forest. The article notes major logistical, ecological and social uncertainties and compares the potential removal with global emissions of 37.8 gigatons in 2024.

Professors George Eleftheriades (ECE) and Yu Sun (MIE) were elected as international members of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering; Eleftheriades is known for metamaterials and antennas, and Sun for robotic nanomanipulation and cellular-level instruments.

A global analysis of 657 watersheds found that forest loss and changes in forest spatial arrangement increase the share of 'young water' (precipitation that passes through a watershed within about two to three months), which reduces longer-term storage in soils and groundwater.

Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica combines frequent wildlife sightings — including howler monkeys in Palmares Preserve — with a small enclave of luxury resorts and new guest amenities such as Papagayo Park.

JWST observations of a z = 6.3 quasar show reduced [O iii] emission in neighbouring galaxies, which the study reports as evidence that intense quasar UV radiation suppresses recent star formation across intergalactic distances.

NASA's SPHEREx observed that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS had low activity in August but by December its water and carbon dioxide output rose dramatically and spectra showed organic molecules and a cyanide line; SPHEREx will observe the object again in April.

The article reports that Canada's forestry revenues and harvesting levels have fallen and that the authors propose building modern pulp mills and biorefineries to create demand for wood residuals.