Science

Rainfall floods canceled mega-airport site in Mexico

The site of Mexico's canceled New Mexico City International Airport has been transformed into the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, but recent rainfall has buried parts of the unfinished structure. Opened two years ago, the park spans 55 square miles and ranks among the world's largest urban green spaces. Despite its environmental promise, the area faces ongoing challenges from accessibility issues and land disputes.

Kobe University researchers identify protein mechanism behind gourds’ pollutant uptake

October 30, 2025 Heather Vogel Fact checked

Kobe University scientists report that variants of a major latex-like protein, secreted into plant sap, help explain why pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits draw hydrophobic pollutants into their edible parts—an insight that could guide safer crops and soil-cleanup strategies.

Magnetic gel aids efficient kidney stone removal in pig tests

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a magnetic gel that coats kidney stone fragments, allowing for their removal in bulk using a magnetic wire. Tested successfully in pigs, the technique aims to reduce tissue damage and the need for repeated surgeries compared to standard methods. Experts praise it as a promising alternative to current procedures.

Stem cell therapy lowers heart failure risk after heart attack

A large clinical trial has shown that infusing mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood shortly after a first heart attack reduces the risk of developing heart failure by nearly 60 percent over three years. The treatment, administered within three to seven days, also improved heart pumping function compared to standard care. Researchers from Shiraz University in Iran led the study, providing strong evidence for stem cells' regenerative potential.

Scientists make germanium superconducting for the first time

October 30, 2025 Theo Klein

Researchers have achieved superconductivity in germanium, a common semiconductor, by precisely doping it with gallium atoms. This breakthrough, detailed in a new study, could enable more efficient quantum devices and cryogenic electronics. The material conducts electricity with zero resistance at 3.5 Kelvin.

Dinosaur skeleton settles debate over tiny T. rex fossils

A complete dinosaur skeleton has provided strong evidence that fossils long debated as juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex belong to a separate species called Nanotyrannus. Researchers analyzed a specimen from the 'Duelling Dinosaurs' site, confirming it as a fully grown individual distinct from T. rex. The findings challenge decades of palaeontological arguments.

US unlikely to resume nuclear testing despite Trump announcement

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing other countries' programs, but experts say no such tests are occurring elsewhere and resumption is improbable. The move would violate decades of treaties and serve only symbolic purposes amid rising global tensions. Researchers warn it could escalate risks without scientific benefits.

Big tech's emissions dispute ensnares greenhouse gas protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol has issued a request for public comment on emissions accounting, which Google and Microsoft view as a victory in their ongoing conflict with competitors. This clerical-seeming announcement addresses how tech giants calculate carbon emissions from data centers powering AI. The debate has escalated into the international arena.

Flatworm stem cells respond to distant cues, study finds

October 30, 2025 Heather Vogel Fact checked

Planarian flatworms regenerate lost body parts using stem cells steered by signals from far‑off tissues rather than nearby neighbors, research published in Cell Reports on October 15, 2025, suggests—reframing how niches regulate stem cells and hinting at future approaches to tissue repair.