Science & Earth
→ NewsGorham's Cave chamber sealed for 40,000 years reveals artefacts linked to Neanderthals
Archaeologists opened a chamber at Gorham's Cave on the Rock of Gibraltar that had been sealed for about 40,000 years and exposed a concentration of artefacts associated with Neanderthal activity.
NASA sets earliest February 6 launch for Artemis II to return Americans to the moon
NASA announced Artemis II's earliest launch is February 6 within a January 31–February 14 window, and the crewed 10-day mission will fly four astronauts around the moon without landing.
Met Office names 59 UK areas under yellow warning before Friday
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings affecting 59 areas across England and Wales for heavy rain and possible strong winds on Thursday, January 15; ice may cause travel disruption on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Ukraine is addressing war-related environmental damage while building resilience.
Ukraine has experienced widespread environmental damage during the war, and its 2024 law mandates an emissions trading system with a pilot planned for 2026.
Wikipedia at 25: academic neglect may now pose a new risk
As Wikipedia turns 25, the article argues that many academics have long resisted contributing to the site while relying on it privately, and warns that large language models trained on Wikipedia risk displacing the volunteer-driven, transparent knowledge resource.
UK snow maps show blizzard spreading as 60mph gales are forecast
Forecasters say blizzards and snow are expected Thursday night into Friday across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northwest England, while gales up to 60mph are forecast; several weather warnings and high river levels have been reported.
Winter Olympics may be limited to fewer mountain sites as climate warms
Researchers estimate the number of mountain locations able to reliably host the Winter Olympics could fall from 93 today to about 52 by the 2050s, and the International Olympic Committee is considering a permanent pool of host sites and earlier dates to cope with warming winters.
Erosion-hit Thorpeness holds crisis meetings as fourth home is demolished
Crisis meetings are taking place in Thorpeness after rapid coastal erosion prompted the demolition of a fourth home; council officers say eight more properties have been flagged as at risk and some homeowners have been put on notice.
Thermostat: expert explains what not to do when it gets colder
An energy expert told The Mirror that raising the thermostat won’t make a home heat faster and shared reported ways to reduce heat loss and manage heating during possible colder spells.
Weather warnings downgraded after week of heavy snow in Scotland
The Met Office downgraded an amber snow warning early on Sunday for central Scotland, Grampian and the Highlands, while yellow warnings for snow and ice, and for wind and rain in parts of the country, remain in force.
Bird evolution may have been more complex and diverse than previously thought
New Jurassic fossils — including Baminornis from China and a well-preserved Archaeopteryx specimen — show varied early bird anatomy and raise questions about whether flight evolved once or multiple times.
Largest Roman villa found in Wales uncovered beneath deer park
Ground-penetrating radar has revealed the 572 square metre footprint of what researchers describe as the largest Roman villa identified in Wales beneath Margam Country Park, inside a historic deer park; excavations are planned as early as next summer to investigate possible mosaics and artefacts.
World's biggest iceberg A-23A turns blue as it nears collapse
NASA images and an ISS photograph show iceberg A-23A covered in surface meltwater and large blue melt ponds, and scientists report these features indicate the iceberg could collapse within days or weeks.
BBC Winterwatch presenters say a daily digital detox could help wellbeing
Presenters Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham and Iolo Williams highlighted the show's silent 'mindfulness moments' and urged daily screen-free time; the four-night Winterwatch series is set at Mount Stewart and begins on 20 January.
Chimpanzee Ai, known for painting and counting, dies at 49
Ai, a chimpanzee central to Kyoto University's Ai Project, died on 9 January from multiple organ failure linked to old age.
Ammonia energy tradeoffs around the world are detailed in a new MIT analysis.
MIT Energy Initiative researchers built a harmonized dataset covering costs and lifecycle emissions for six ammonia production pathways across 63 countries, and the study quantifies large tradeoffs between lower-cost, higher-emissions pathways and low-carbon, higher-cost options.
Primates' same-sex behaviour may reinforce bonds under environmental stress
A study found same-sex sexual behaviour is widespread across many primate species and may help reinforce social bonds in species facing environmental stress and social competition.
Hinkley Point C receives second reactor pressure vessel
The second reactor pressure vessel for Hinkley Point C has been delivered to the site after transport from France; the plant is due to open in 2031.
Roman villa discovered under Margam Country Park in Wales.
A Swansea University team found what is reported as the largest Roman villa yet recorded in Wales — a 572-square-metre building with surrounding fortifications — during geophysical surveys at Margam Country Park as part of a community heritage project.
Death cap mushrooms kill three and hospitalize dozens in California.
California officials report three deaths and 35 cases of wild mushroom poisoning this season linked to death cap mushrooms.
UK households urged to have a torch and at least three days of food
The Met Office has issued yellow snow and ice warnings for large parts of the UK this weekend, and officials have advised households to gather essential supplies including a torch and at least three days' worth of food.
Flood alerts remain in place across parts of the UK after Storm Goretti
Flood alerts and warnings continue in parts of Scotland, the Midlands and the south after Storm Goretti, while thousands of homes still face power outages or limited water supply.
Met Office issues yellow snow and ice warning for 51 areas for 13 hours
The Met Office issued a yellow snow and ice warning covering 51 areas from 2am to 3pm on Sunday; separate ice warnings remain in force across other parts of the UK.
UK travellers face more checks and costs for 2026 holidays
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out unevenly and will introduce biometric checks for visits to the Schengen area, and travel-related costs and border procedures are rising ahead of 2026.
Aldi dehumidifier arrives to help dry laundry and reduce mould
Aldi has started selling a Midi Dehumidifier in UK stores as part of its winter SpecialBuy range, priced at £89.99, and the appliance is reported to remove up to 12 litres of water a day with a 2-litre tank.
Great white shark attack in 1963 injured diver Rodney Fox
In December 1963 a great white shark attacked 23-year-old diver Rodney Fox at Aldinga Beach; he survived serious injuries and later became a prominent figure in shark research and conservation.
Lagos reshapes its coastline through widespread sand dredging
Officials say they have closed unpermitted dredging sites and strengthened monitoring; dredging continues and is reshaping the Lagos lagoon while fishermen report shrinking catches.
Australian PM visits bushfire-ravaged towns as 300 structures are reported destroyed
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Victorian towns hit by bushfires, while authorities reported about 300 structures destroyed and roughly 350,000 hectares burned; a state of disaster remains in place.
Avalanche in Washington State kills two snowmobilers
Officials say an avalanche near Longs Pass in Kittitas County on Friday buried four snowmobilers; two men died and two were rescued.
Queensland weather: state braces for heavy rain and floods after ex‑Tropical Cyclone Koji
Ex‑Tropical Cyclone Koji was downgraded to a tropical low after crossing Queensland's far north, and authorities warn heavy rain and flood risk will continue over the next 24–48 hours.
