Sunday, August 30, 2026

Centuries-old plaque on eight people’s teeth preserved a surprisingly detailed menu of what they ate in Osaka

Dental plaque analysis revealed diverse diets for Edo-period Osaka commoners. Researchers found proteins from 17 food types, including luxury red sea bream. This suggests developing markets made once-exclusive foods accessible to ordinary people. Salmon proteins indicated food traveled long distances via extensive shipping networks. Even cottonseed oil and terrestrial animal meat were consumed by these individuals.

from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/piDCMIf

A floating wind turbine off Spain became an underwater farm for four species



from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/BSeLAhr

How 3,000 giant tortoises are rebuilding EspaƱola after near extinction



from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/TbotukI

Northern spotted owl once became a symbol of America’s logging wars; now scientists say it is already functionally extinct

The northern spotted owl, once a revered icon of environmental activism, faces dire circumstances as it becomes functionally extinct in numerous regions. A recent study indicates a severe decline in its populations throughout their historical habitat. Factors such as habitat destruction and rampant wildfires have severely impacted the species over the years, while the encroaching barred owl emerges as a formidable threat.

from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/VRe1IQU

Chicago physicist’s 20-year-old quantum imaging theory gets experimental proof using superconductors

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Dirk Morr proposed a way to create high-resolution quantum images using superconductors two decades ago. A new experiment by researchers in Germany, supported by Morr’s theoretical model, has now produced quantum imaging similar to what he predicted, providing experimental confirmation of his earlier work.

from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/0HjMdBr

NASA tests GPS-free navigation using other satellites and space debris as landmarks

NASA has tested FALCON, a system that lets satellites navigate without GPS by using other spacecraft and orbital debris as reference points. During a three-day test, the system autonomously improved the known orbits of more than 200 space objects while also calculating the position of NASA’s Starling spacecraft.

from Science News: Fresh Discoveries, Research & Breakthroughs https://ift.tt/1xLdhec