Vacations are the perfect opportunity to step away from your routine and explore places that often get overlooked. If you're looking for inspiration for your next adventure, these six states are home to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the country.

Each offers a different way to experience nature, proving that venturing beyond the usual routes can lead to truly extraordinary places.

New York: More Than Skyscrapers

When most people think of New York, Manhattan’s skyscrapers, Times Square, or Central Park usually come to mind. But the state extends far beyond the city that shares its name. Several hours away lies one of North America's most breathtaking natural landmarks.

From the overlooks, you can take in the full scale of the falls. Out on the water, the thunderous roar and constant mist create an entirely different experience. Beyond the viewpoints, trails, green spaces, and boardwalks invite visitors to explore every corner of the park.

Hawaii: A Land of Volcanoes and Cliffs

Every island in Hawaii has its own character. Two places, however, capture the diversity of the archipelago better than any others: the towering cliffs of the Nāpali Coast and the volcanic landscapes of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

On Kauaʻi, the Nāpali Coast is defined by towering, vegetation-covered cliffs that plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean. Many of its beaches have no road access and can only be reached by boat, kayak, or hiking trails that wind through tropical valleys.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park preserves ancient lava fields, massive craters, and two of the world's most active volcanoes. Here, volcanic activity continues to reshape the landscape, showing that the islands are still evolving.

Colorado: Home to North America's Tallest Sand Dunes

Colorado is known for far more than snow-covered mountains. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects a landscape shaped by wind over thousands of years, where North America's tallest sand dunes rise. Just beyond them stand the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating an unusual contrast.

Visitors can explore the dunes on foot or by sandboarding and sandsledding, although some rise more than 750 feet. After dark, the park's exceptionally low light pollution makes it one of the best places to observe the night sky.

Alaska and Arizona: Two Completely Different Worlds

Few places illustrate the diversity of the United States better than Brooks Range in Alaska and Antelope Canyon in Arizona.

Comparing these two places is one of the best ways to appreciate just how diverse the landscapes of a single country can be.

Kentucky and the Magic of the Moonbow

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to one of the best-known waterfalls in the eastern United States, where the Cumberland River drops about 68 feet.

It is an exceptionally rare phenomenon that can only be seen regularly in a handful of places around the world, and Cumberland Falls is one of them. Every full moon draws visitors and photographers hoping to witness it.

Bad Nenndorf, located 26 kilometers west of Hanover, is best known as a spa town offering peat, mineral, and thermal baths. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, this small town in Lower Saxony was among Germany's most popular spa destinations.

However, every spa town worthy of the name has a well-maintained park: a place for relaxation, strolling, and immersing yourself in nature.

In Bad Nenndorf, the spa park is home to an attraction that consistently leaves visitors speechless: the famous Süntel Beech Avenue. With their twisted branches and winding trunks, these extraordinary trees appear almost enchanted. It is not surprising that they have long captured the imagination and inspired legends.

A beech tree unlike any other

This rare variety of European beech was planted about a century ago and continues to grow today following striking zigzag patterns. Although these trees can reach heights of up to 20 meters, their branches often spread widely across the landscape, giving the avenue its unique character.

A genetic mutation is responsible for this unusual growth pattern; however, the exact reason why it occurred remains a mystery that has not yet been conclusively solved. One thing, however, is certain: there is no other formation like it anywhere else in the world.

A magical avenue of "witch trees"

Because of their mystical appearance, these Süntel beeches are often called "witch trees" or "witch forest." In the past, some people even believed that the trees were enchanted or had been cursed by the devil.

Today, this avenue stretching for about 300 meters is a popular photography spot and one of the best-known excursion destinations in the region surrounding Hanover. The spa park is open to the public free of charge throughout the year, and guided tours are also offered regularly.

This year, the State Garden Show is being held in the spa park and will remain open until October 18. During this period, only visitors attending the exhibition will be allowed to walk through the park and admire the avenue; admission requires a ticket.

In summer, the rose garden and beautifully designed flower beds are among the main attractions of the spa park. Various historic structures and elegant pavilions further enhance the grounds, giving the entire setting a romantic atmosphere.

Autumn: a season of unique beauty

In autumn, the Süntel Beech Avenue radiates an especially magical aura, as the tree canopies transform into a palette of brilliant golden and crimson shades. The unusual growth patterns of the trees create changing perspectives that hold a special appeal for both photographers and nature lovers.

The avenue then resembles a movie set or a fairy-tale forest emerging from a dream. Today, these unique trees are protected to ensure that this extraordinary avenue is preserved for future generations.

News reference:

T-Online (05-01-2026). Mystical witch trees in the spa park are unique in the world, By t-online, MAS

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a research team from the University of Nottingham found what could be the answer to why some distant galaxies stop forming stars and become inactive in the process.

The team analyzed specific systems known as post-starburst galaxies, which rapidly ceased their activity. Understanding this phenomenon is essential for deciphering the evolution of the Universe, as these galaxies represent a critical transition phase between activity and silence.

Understanding this process was difficult because the details were hidden by distance or dust. However, with the James Webb Space Telescope, we can observe distinctive spectral features that were previously completely invisible to ground-based telescopes.

Thanks to the high-resolution images provided by its instruments, it is now possible to conduct detailed studies of the structure and morphology of these distant systems that we now observe in a dormant state.

The mystery of interrupted star formation

Star formation is the process through which gas collapses to create new stars. In active galaxies, this cycle generates constant light, but when the fuel runs out or becomes dispersed, the galaxy shuts down, which is why we say it becomes "silent."

The study revealed that there are two pathways through which these galaxies become completely silent.

• In the early Universe, violent events dominated the scene.
• In more recent times, the processes appear to be more gradual. This duality explains the diversity observed in the deep sky.

The observations show that, for the most massive galaxies, the shutdown of activity is usually dramatic and permanent, to the point that these systems transform into very compact spheroids. This morphological change suggests that the energy came from large-scale physical interactions.

By observing infrared wavelengths, the James Webb Space Telescope plays a fundamental role in identifying these structural transitions over time, as its view penetrates dust and reveals the underlying stellar distribution.

Traces of collisions in galaxies

Although these galaxies appear calm at first glance, researchers found signs of a violent past, detecting structural disturbances that suggest collisions between gas-rich galaxies, which trigger a final burst of star formation before complete collapse.

When analyzing the images, researchers found remnants of disordered light that do not fit smooth models; this is known as residual asymmetry and is a tool used to identify the traces of recent galactic mergers that appear as irregular patches.

Simulations had already suggested that violent mergers produce extremely compact cores, and now, thanks to visual evidence obtained with JWST, the study confirmed that these signs of disruption are common in massive systems.

These traces of violence tend to fade over time, as as stars age, the structure becomes smoother and the galaxy adopts a more peaceful appearance. Capturing them during this recent phase allows researchers to study the catastrophic events that silenced them.

The future of galaxy research

While massive mergers once dictated the fate of galaxies, today smoother processes dominate. This distinction helps us understand how galactic dynamics have changed over time. This research also helps explain both galaxy formation and extinction simultaneously.

Lower-mass galaxies, for example, maintain their disk structures despite becoming inactive. In these cases, the transformation appears to be driven by environmental effects or smaller mergers that preserve their original shape, highlighting the diversity of evolutionary paths followed by galaxies.

The team plans to combine these images with new detailed spectroscopic data, which will allow them to measure the internal movements of stars and gas with greater precision. The goal is to reconstruct the complete history of each system, from its birth to its silent phase.

Without a doubt, the James Webb Space Telescope will continue to be the primary tool in this search for fundamental answers, where each new image brings us closer to understanding the physical mechanisms that govern the fate of very, very distant galaxies.

What comes to mind when you think of a hurricane? Most people picture destructive winds, torrential rain and powerful waves. But behind that often devastating force lies a much less obvious driving factor.

It all begins with the sun. About 50–51% of the solar radiation reaching our planet is absorbed by Earth's surface, with the oceans taking in most of that energy because they cover such a large portion of the globe. Without this energy, tropical cyclones simply could not form.

The ocean: a battery charged by the sun

For months, especially in the tropics, the ocean absorbs vast amounts of solar energy and stores it as heat. It's not just the surface that warms. The upper layers of the ocean accumulate a large energy reserve known as ocean heat content.

The next stage begins as seawater starts to evaporate. That water vapor rises into the atmosphere and, as it cools, condenses into clouds and rain. During this process, it releases a tremendous amount of latent heat, which warms the surrounding air and causes it to rise even farther.

That rising motion lowers surface pressure, allowing more warm, moisture-rich air to flow in from the surrounding environment. As this cycle repeats itself, the system grows stronger, much like an engine continuously fueled by the warm ocean.

That's why a tropical cyclone weakens when it moves over cooler waters or churns up the ocean enough to bring colder water from below to the surface. As the ocean's stored energy is depleted, the storm's engine begins to run out of fuel.

Warm water alone isn't enough

Ocean heat alone cannot produce a hurricane. Favorable atmospheric conditions are also essential. Winds must change very little with height—a condition known as low wind shear. The atmosphere also needs adequate mid-level moisture, along with the Coriolis force, which gives the storm its characteristic spin.

So the next time you see satellite images of a hurricane, remember that its power wasn't created overnight. It is the result of weeks—or even months—of solar energy stored in the ocean, waiting for the moment it transforms into one of the most powerful phenomena on Earth.

The near-earth object 1998 SH2 made its closest pass to Earth at a safe distance of 2 million miles (3 million km) on August 28, 2025. The object was originally discovered in September of 1998 and classified as an asteroid. New data suggests a different classification, though, which is detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Evidence of tail activity has revealed the object to be an elusive dark comet.

Asteroids vs comets

The distinction between asteroids and comets comes from observed behavior. Differences in orbits, composition, and the presence of a tail are traditionally used for classification.

According to the Planetary Society, asteroids are Sun-orbiting rocky, metallic objects leftover from the birth of our Solar System. Comets originally formed in the chillier outer Solar System where ice is more stable. As their orbits bring them closer to the Sun, the ice rapidly sublimates and ejects dust to form their classic coma and tail.

As observation capabilities have expanded, astronomers continue to discover more hybrid objects that do not fit neatly into these two classic categories. These hybrid objects have gained the colloquial moniker dark comet. Some of these objects may contain ice, but limited observable coma and tail activity make them difficult to identify as comets.

These dark comets exhibit irregularities in their trajectories around the Sun, but no other evidence of a tail or coma has been observed. Initial observations of 1998 SH2 did not reveal such a tail.

Closest approach and new observations

Researchers utilizing NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) during the August 2025 near-Earth pass of 1998 SH2 noted a distinct irregularity--the object wasn’t where it should have been. Despite meticulous calculations using gravitational effects of the Sun and planets on its orbital path, researchers surmised there were additional impacts on its motion.

In response, researchers collated all relevant observational data of 1998 SH2 from around the world. They contacted astronomers from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Mauna Kea, HI, and the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Danish Telescope in La Silla, Chile.

These findings have important implications for near-Earth object-tracking and planetary defense. Fourteen dark comets have been observed since 2016, with the existence of many more hypothesized.

The Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor from NASA is under construction, and is designed as the first survey telescope for planetary defense. NEO will be tasked to seek out asteroids and comets--including dark comets--that could pose hazards to Earth.

About two and a half hours from the city of Guadalajara lies a charming small town. Located in the state of Nayarit, Santa María del Oro welcomes visitors with a glimpse of the region's natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

It was around the 12th century that one of the first Indigenous groups to dominate the area settled in the region. Over time, with the arrival of the Spanish, the route became a mandatory passage to northwestern Mexico under the direction of Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, a prominent Spanish military leader and explorer.

By 1530, the settlement had been named Santa María de Acuitapilco in honor of the region's patron saint and the Acuitapilco mine. In 1594, however, its name was changed to Santa María del Oro, reflecting the three nearby gold deposits discovered around the town.

As time passed, the region gained recognition as a scenic destination that appeals primarily to outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the activities available here are closely connected to its natural surroundings.

If you're planning to explore this part of Mexico, it's recommended to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes. Stay well hydrated, enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out, and make the most of everything the region has to offer.

The beautiful Santa María del Oro Lagoon

Just 20 minutes from the city of Tepic is the Santa María del Oro Lagoon. According to local residents, the lagoon is surrounded by myths and mysteries, making it one of the area's favorite family destinations during the vacation season.

The crater is believed to have formed thousands of years ago after a meteorite struck the area. Some locals say no one has ever found the bottom of the lagoon, leading to the belief that the impact pierced deep into the Earth's layers. The lagoon measures approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) long and 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) wide.

Its waters change color because of their mineral content and high alkalinity. In some areas the water appears deep blue, while in others it takes on greenish hues. This unique characteristic is one of the lagoon's greatest attractions.

Plenty of activities to enjoy

Besides hiking or taking stunning photographs, visitors can also swim in the lagoon, as the water remains pleasantly warm for much of the year. Other popular activities include kayaking, scuba diving and boat tours.

Nearby, visitors will also find La Silla Waterfall, a 30-meter (98-foot) cascade surrounded by lush vegetation. Its refreshing waters make it difficult to resist taking a swim, especially after a long day of hiking.

Close to the iconic town is San José de Mojarra, home to the Temple of the Lord of San José. This beautiful site is considered an important historical landmark. Filled with stories and local legends, it is well worth a dedicated visit for anyone interested in learning more about the region's history.

Places to stay and relax with family or friends

Santa María del Oro offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including birdwatching, water sports such as windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Visitors can also go camping, horseback riding, zip-lining, rappelling or simply enjoy walking through the area's beautiful natural scenery.

There are several accommodation options available, some located in Guadalajara and others, more modest but equally welcoming, within Santa María del Oro itself. Before setting out, check the local weather forecast so you can make the most of your vacation.

One example is Austria's Dachstein Glacier. The situation there is particularly alarming, as all the snow reserves from the snow-poor winter of 2025/26 had already been exhausted by 29 June.

From that point onwards – earlier than ever before – the devastating melting of the glacier's centuries-old ice mass began. Until the arrival of the next winter, it will continue to lose its precious cooling ice volume.

Even during the unusually warm years of recent decades, the melting process did not begin until several weeks later, in August.

Well-known consequences of global warming

The effects of human-induced global warming on glaciers have been well understood for decades. Nevertheless, developments over recent years have exceeded both forecasts and the expectations of many researchers.

The Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard reported extensively on the issue of glacier melt.

Meteorologist and glaciologist Klaus Reingruber has been studying the Dachstein Glacier for the past 20 years.

Reingruber said in an interview with Der Standard.

Rockfalls and dwindling water supplies

The dramatic retreat of glaciers brings many negative consequences. As the ground thaws, and because of the loss of the immense weight of the ice, the underlying terrain and even entire mountainsides are becoming increasingly unstable.

Major rockfalls, more frequent falling rocks, debris flows and flash floods are already direct and visible consequences. Established hiking routes can no longer be used or can only be maintained at enormous expense.

Glaciers are also vital for water resources. During summer they release meltwater precisely when it is needed most.

Glacier researcher Reingruber told Der Standard.

On hot days in July or August, glacier ice can melt by as much as 10 centimetres a day. If there were just two or three days of snowfall, the glacier ice would be protected and the bright snow surface would reflect the Sun's radiation. Over the course of an entire year, the difference would be considerable.

Switzerland's glaciers are also under threat

Switzerland's glaciers are larger and, in some cases, lie at elevations of more than 4,000 metres, significantly higher than those in Austria. Nevertheless, they face exactly the same challenges in both winter and summer.

Switzerland's Glacier Monitoring Network (GLAMOS) systematically documents and monitors long-term glacier changes across the Swiss Alps. GLAMOS is jointly operated by ETH Zurich and the Universities of Fribourg and Zurich, working closely with the Swiss Commission for Cryospheric Observation (SKK).

Snowfall during the winter of 2025/26 was between 50% and 75% below the long-term average. April 2026 was 2.6°C warmer than the 1991–2020 average. Then, in June, Switzerland was hit by a heatwave, resulting in the hottest 10-day period since records began.

To this day, drought conditions persist across Switzerland. Rainfall totals measured over a 90-day period stand at only 35% to 65% of the seasonal average in many locations.

GLAMOS reported that by 29 June 2026, the winter snow reserve had been completely exhausted. From that date onwards, all glacier ice across Switzerland has been melting.

According to GLAMOS, 2026 currently ranks as the second-worst year on record.

Glacier figures

The worst year since measurements began was 2022, when 6% of Switzerland's glacier ice disappeared. The second-largest loss followed in 2023, with a 4% decline. According to GLAMOS, losses totalled 2.5% in 2024 despite abundant snowfall at higher elevations. In 2025, losses rose again to 3%. Between 2022 and the end of 2025, Switzerland lost a total of 15.5% of its glacier ice.

According to GLAMOS, Switzerland still has around 1,400 glaciers containing an estimated 46.5 cubic kilometres of ice. However, more than 1,000 smaller glaciers have already disappeared.

The scale of the changes is also reflected in figures presented by glaciologist Matthias Huss of ETH Zurich in a report by Swiss broadcaster SRF.

Huss told SRF.

Given that conditions after last winter were already extremely poor, he said it was deeply worrying to consider how the situation could continue to develop this year.

Climate action and costs

Countries are trying to respond to the impacts on water resources and energy supplies through major investments. In Zermatt, for example, plans are being discussed to build a new reservoir costing around €500 million to help secure energy supplies and provide additional capacity to cope with extreme rainfall events.

Leading glacier researchers warn against viewing the melting of the world's so-called "eternal" ice in isolation, simply accepting its likely disappearance while scaling back climate protection measures.

Shrinking glaciers are only one visible symptom of climate change. They affect glaciers at every altitude.

To slow the melting of glacier ice, geotextile covers are increasingly being used in the Swiss Alps. Spread across the glacier surface, they reflect sunlight and help preserve the snow and ice beneath them.

As with many symptoms, the world should not focus solely on cooling "protective blankets" to preserve the eternal ice. It must also tackle the root cause responsible for glacier melt: fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions, whose rapid and substantial reduction is the only way to limit global warming and its impacts over the medium and long term.

In 1938 and again in 1944, two powerful hurricanes struck Long Island in New York State. On both occasions, something happened that baffled many people: when it seemed the worst had passed and the winds had eased, the water suddenly rose again several hours later. For many witnesses at the time, there seemed to be only one possible explanation — a tsunami.

However, it was not a tsunami. It was a much less familiar phenomenon, but one that can be just as destructive. Scientists call it a continental shelf seiche, a kind of ocean "rebound effect" that has become increasingly important to understand as sea levels continue to rise.

A hurricane cannot generate a tsunami

Tsunamis are caused by sudden movements of the seabed, such as underwater or coastal earthquakes — the most common cause in Chile — underwater landslides or volcanic eruptions. This displacement pushes an enormous mass of water that travels at high speed before striking the coast as a series of giant waves.

Hurricanes, by contrast, do not move the seabed. They are atmospheric systems that displace water through wind force and changes in air pressure. Strictly speaking, therefore, a hurricane cannot generate a tsunami.

However, it can produce other phenomena with similar effects, such as a meteotsunami — a large wave that closely resembles a traditional tsunami during the passage of the cyclone — and the so-called continental shelf seiche, in which flooding returns hours after the storm has already passed.

The sea behaves like a giant bath

A seiche, in particular, is a wave that forms when the water in a lake, bay or harbour begins sloshing from one side to the other after being disturbed by strong winds.

The movement is similar to the water in a bath after it has been pushed: instead of passing once and disappearing, the wave rebounds between the sides until it gradually loses energy, explained Philip Orton, a researcher at the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Together with a team of scientists, Orton analysed this phenomenon using historical records from New York Bay covering the period from 1860 to 2024. They found that continental shelf seiches occur in around one in four hurricanes (26%), with the risk increasing when hurricanes are particularly intense and move rapidly. This happened during the historic floods of 1938 and 1944, and to a lesser extent during Hurricane Isaias in 2020.

The study found that a continental shelf seiche can last between seven and eight hours, creating a flood risk even after weather conditions appear to have improved. In this part of the world in particular, the shape of the coastline amplifies the wave's energy.

A growing risk as sea levels rise

The Northern Hemisphere is currently in hurricane (or typhoon) season, which lasts until the end of November in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, making it more important than ever to understand this hidden hazard.

Global warming is making the situation even more challenging. As sea levels continue to rise worldwide, any rebound of seawater could become more destructive. Coastal areas, roads and tunnels that once flooded only during the height of a hurricane could once again end up underwater several hours later when the crest of the continental shelf seiche arrives.

It could be considered one of the oldest accessories in the world. It has been used to protect the wearer from the sun, signal social or religious affiliation, keep a hairstyle in place, or simply complete an outfit.

Just think back to the 1960s and Brigitte Bardot: bangs, a playful smile, and above all, a silk scarf worn with effortless elegance. That image alone cemented the scarf's place in the DNA of French style.

Hermès, the undisputed master of the silk square scarf since launching its first design in 1937, has only strengthened that identity. The scarf became especially iconic during Hollywood's golden age, when glamour icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly tied it around their necks or wore it over their heads while riding in convertibles.

That Hollywood allure helps explain why the accessory remains so popular today—perhaps more than ever. In recent years, the scarf has reclaimed a prominent place in the wardrobes of every generation.

Bandana or silk scarf?

While Adèle Exarchopoulos brought the bandana back into the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival, the silk scarf—traditionally associated with classic elegance—is enjoying a revival with a new purpose: an accessory capable of transforming an outfit without overwhelming it. It has become a go-to piece for summer wardrobes, ready to be styled and restyled depending on the desired look.

This year, the spotlight is on fluid, eco-friendly fabrics such as organic silk and lyocell twill. As for patterns, retro geometric prints from the 1970s share the stage with abstract designs and oversized botanical motifs.

To incorporate these pieces into your wardrobe, focus on contrast. Pair a colorful scarf with a monochromatic outfit, or use an asymmetrical fold to add structure to a minimalist urban look.

The art of tying a scarf

Worn over the head, tied at the nape of the neck, styled for a retro look while protecting your hair from the sun and wind, wrapped around the waist, threaded through the belt loops of jeans or shorts, or tied around a ponytail—the scarf offers countless styling possibilities. Hermès even provides tutorials on its website to teach customers how to tie its famous silk squares.

The trend has also spread across social media. TikTok is full of tutorials showing how to turn a scarf into a fashion statement, with a single design inspiring countless styling ideas. According to The New York Times, the silk scarf remains the ultimate symbol of French elegance. It is to the French what sneakers are to Americans: an accessory that is as much a part of the country's identity as the baguette—provided, of course, that you know how to wear it.

Three tips for protecting yourself from the sun

The first style is the classic tied scarf. It works best with a low hairstyle, such as a braid, ponytail, or bun. Once your hair is styled, place the center of the scarf at the nape of your neck. Wrap it around your head from the hairline until both ends meet at the top of your head. Finish by tying a discreet knot.

The second option is the triangle style. Fold the scarf into a triangle and place it over the top of your head, starting at the hairline. At the nape of your neck, tie a full, secure knot halfway down the length of the scarf. This technique helps protect the hair roots and mid-lengths from the sun.

Finally, it's worth noting that a scarf can be a useful complement to sunscreen. When worn around the neck or draped over the shoulders, it shields the skin from harmful UV rays, helping reduce the risk of sunburn.

Antarctica is often associated with extremely low temperatures, but that doesn't mean it is immune to episodes of intense heat. Under certain atmospheric conditions, temperatures can rise abruptly and reach surprisingly high values, even exceeding those recorded the same day in many inhabited regions of the planet.

The first days of June 2026 were marked by an exceptional heat event across the Antarctic Peninsula. In the middle of the austral winter, when temperatures usually remain below 0°C (32°F), several stations recorded unusually high readings. This raises an inevitable question: how can a heat wave of this magnitude occur during the Antarctic winter?

A record in the middle of the austral winter

The temperature anomalies observed during the first ten days of June show that this was not an isolated event affecting a single weather station.

Much of the Antarctic Peninsula recorded temperatures well above normal for this time of year, with anomalies exceeding 10°C (18°F) above the climatological average in some areas. Considering that June marks the beginning of the austral winter, this represents an extraordinary signal.

The historical record shows that while maximum temperatures vary considerably from year to year, the value recorded in 2026 stands out well above the typical range for this time of year.

It is important to note that an event like this does not mean all of Antarctica experienced temperatures near 15°C (59°F). The heat wave was concentrated mainly over the Antarctic Peninsula, a region particularly exposed to air masses arriving from the mid-latitudes, where these events tend to be more intense than in the continent's interior.

The atmospheric circulation behind the event

This extreme heat event was associated with a very specific atmospheric pattern. During the first days of June, a circulation pattern became established that favored the transport of relatively warm air from the mid-latitudes toward the Antarctic Peninsula.

In addition to this large-scale circulation, there is also the possibility that local warming was enhanced by a föhn effect. When moist air ascends the western slopes of the mountain range on the peninsula, it loses part of its moisture through precipitation.

Then, as the air descends the eastern slopes, it compresses and warms rapidly, promoting exceptionally high temperatures. This mechanism has previously been identified as an explanation for some of the most intense warm events recorded in the region.

Another hypothesis emerging from this event points to the role of sea ice. During the first days of June, the Bellingshausen Sea had a significant deficit of winter sea ice, with roughly 650,000 km² (251,000 square miles) of missing ice cover.

This reduced ice cover may have limited the cooling of air masses moving southward toward the Antarctic Peninsula, allowing them to retain higher temperatures before reaching the continent.

Although this hypothesis remains under investigation, it represents a potentially important mechanism for understanding the intensity reached by this heat wave during the austral winter.

Past estimates have suggested that as much as one-sixth of the Earth's land area could be affected by drought simultaneously, which would be catastrophic for global agriculture.

However, fresh research led by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar suggests something very different. The team have been through climate records going all the way back to 1901 and found that synchronised droughts only ever covered between 1.8% and 6.5% of the planet's land area at any one time, which is nowhere close to one-sixth.

The reason that number stays so low, according to the researchers, comes down to what's happening in the oceans.

How oceans keep droughts regional

Dr Udit Bhatia, who led the study, mapped out drought events globally as a network. When two distant regions tipped into drought within a short time window of each other they got counted as "linked". Working through thousands of those connections, the team picked out several recurring drought hubs in places like Australia, South America, southern Africa and parts of North America.

What they didn't find was those hubs all going off at the same time, and the thing preventing that appears to be shifting sea surface temperatures that constantly rearrange which parts of the world get rain and which don't.

El Niño is the biggest driver of that reshuffling, the scientists said. When the Pacific warms during an El Niño year, Australia tends to dry out badly while other regions respond in completely different ways. When La Niña takes over, the drought pattern shifts again and tends to spread out geographically rather than concentrating in one global event.

"These ocean-driven swings create a patchwork of regional responses, limiting the emergence of a single, global drought covering many continents at once," explained the study's co-author Danish Mansoor Tantary.

What this means for food

The study also looked at historical crop yields for wheat, rice, maize and soybean and found that when moderate drought hits a major agricultural region, the probability of crop failure rises sharply – above 25% in many areas and as high as 40-50% for crops like maize and soybean. If multiple farming regions went into drought simultaneously that could be dangerous for global food supplies, the researchers say. However, the ocean-driven pattern they identified means the risk of that happening is lower than worst-case models had suggested.

The team also found that about two-thirds of long-term changes over recent decades come down to shifts in rainfall, with the remaining third linked to rising temperatures increasing evaporative demand. Rainfall is still the dominant factor globally, especially in places like Australia and South America, though the influence of temperature is growing in mid-latitude regions like Europe and parts of Asia.

Prof Vimal Mishra from IITGN said the findings had direct implications for how countries plan around drought risk.

"Because droughts do not hit all regions at the same time, smart planning can use this natural diversity to buffer global food supplies," he said.

Dr Bhatia said the research carried a more hopeful message than people might expect.

"By understanding the delicate balance between oceans, rainfall, and temperatures, policymakers can focus their resources on specific drought hubs and create pipelines to stabilise the global market before crop failures in one region trigger price spikes in another," he said.

Scientists have discovered that temperature patterns in the Indian Ocean can influence prolonged winter droughts in the eastern Mediterranean months in advance by altering large-scale atmospheric circulation.

These findings reveal how distant ocean conditions can affect the climate thousands of miles away and could improve seasonal forecasting of drought risk in one of the world's most water-stressed regions.

Long-distance teleconnections between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean

While scientists around the world closely monitor the possible development of a powerful "Super El Niño" event, a new study suggests that another tropical ocean deserves equal attention. Researchers have discovered that temperature changes in the Indian Ocean can significantly influence winter weather thousands of miles away in the eastern Mediterranean, offering new opportunities to predict damaging droughts months in advance.

The study, published in Atmospheric Research, was carried out by PhD student Victor Murphy and Dr Assaf Hochman of the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, together with Dr Sigalit Berkovic of the Israel Institute for Biological Research. The researchers examined how the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a recurring pattern of warming and cooling across the tropical Indian Ocean, affects prolonged winter droughts in the Levant, one of the world's most water-stressed regions.

Persistent winter droughts can last for weeks, threatening water supplies, agriculture and ecosystems across Israel and neighbouring countries. However, predicting these events remains extremely difficult.

After analysing more than seven decades of climate observations and atmospheric data, the researchers found that positive phases of the Indian Ocean Dipole are linked to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation extending from the Indian Ocean across Eurasia to the eastern Mediterranean. These changes favour the development of stable high-pressure systems that reduce rainfall and increase the likelihood of prolonged winter droughts. The study also found that Indian Ocean conditions during December are associated with a higher probability of particularly long droughts later in the winter, highlighting the potential to improve seasonal forecasting.

"When we think about drought in the eastern Mediterranean, we rarely think about the Indian Ocean," said Dr Sigalit Berkovic. "Yet our research shows that what happens thousands of miles away can reshape the atmospheric circulation that determines whether our region experiences weeks without rain. This highlights the remarkable interconnectedness of the Earth's climate system."

"The Mediterranean climate is not controlled solely by local conditions," said Dr Assaf Hochman. "Our findings show that changes in the tropical Indian Ocean can trigger atmospheric processes that ultimately influence winter rainfall across the Levant. Understanding these long-distance climate connections gives us valuable insight into predicting extreme weather events months in advance."

These findings come at a time when international attention is focused on the possibility of an unusually intense El Niño event. While El Niño originates in the Pacific Ocean, the new research highlights that tropical climate variability extends far beyond the Pacific. The Indian Ocean also plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns in distant regions through atmospheric "teleconnections" – planet-scale links that transmit the effects of ocean temperature changes across continents.

Rather than focusing solely on El Niño, the study emphasises that multiple tropical oceans contribute to seasonal climate variability, and that incorporating Indian Ocean conditions into forecasting systems could improve predictions of drought risk and other extreme weather events across the eastern Mediterranean.

In addition to advancing climate science, the research could help governments, water authorities and farmers prepare more effectively for prolonged winter droughts, improving resilience in a region already facing growing pressure from climate change.

Source: Universidad Hebrea de Jerusalén

Comet 3I/ATLAS entered the Solar System with a composition unlike that of any known local object, leading some to speculate it could be an alien spacecraft. In reality, it was simply the third confirmed interstellar object after 1I/‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.

Its ices preserved properties that reveal the planetary system where it formed, and scientists were able to study them thanks to the comet's intense gas production as it reached perihelion. This made it an exceptional opportunity, especially for a visitor following a hyperbolic trajectory before returning to interstellar space.

The Atacama Compact Array, part of ALMA, complemented the observations using carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide spectral lines. These data allowed researchers to estimate the expansion speed of the coma and refine the models used to calculate molecular production rates.

The study's central finding was an extraordinary isotopic signature consisting of water highly enriched in deuterium and carbon with a remarkable depletion of carbon-13—two independent clues pointing to a remote, extremely cold origin that is likely far older than the Solar System.

Heavy water reveals an extremely cold origin

Webb detected HDO, a water molecule in which one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by deuterium. By comparing HDO with H₂O, the team measured a deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio of 0.98 ± 0.06% in the cometary water observed with NIRSpec.

This ratio is about 34 times higher than the average measured in Solar System comets and nearly 10 times greater than the average value observed in protostars. Within our Solar System, only Venus' atmosphere has a higher ratio, due to its long atmospheric evolution.

The enrichment indicates that much of the ice formed at temperatures below 30 Kelvin, equivalent to about −243°C (−405°F). Under these conditions, chemical reactions favor the incorporation of deuterium into water before the formation of small planetesimals.

Models also show that intense radiation and higher-than-normal cosmic ray ionization can accelerate this process. The composition of 3I/ATLAS further suggests that its water underwent very little thermal reprocessing within the protoplanetary disk where it eventually accumulated as primordial ice.

Carbon points to an origin in the early Milky Way

Measurements of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide revealed carbon-12/carbon-13 ratios ranging from 141 to 191 and from 123 to 172, respectively. These are far higher than the values measured in the Sun, Earth, and known comets, which typically cluster around a ratio of about 90.

Carbon-13 gradually builds up in the interstellar medium as successive generations of stars process material and return it to space. Therefore, a high abundance of carbon-12 may indicate that the material formed before the galaxy reached its current level of chemical enrichment.

By comparing the measurements with models of galactic chemical evolution, the authors propose that 3I/ATLAS may have formed between 11 and 12 billion years ago. The estimate depends on its birthplace, the local stellar history, and the abundance of isotopes in the galaxy.

Even so, it must have retained dense, cold, shielded regions where ice could form, survive, and eventually become incorporated into a small planetary body.

A chemical time capsule for galactic archaeology

Interstellar objects can serve as direct samples of other planetary systems. Unlike the light emitted by distant stars or protoplanetary disks, these bodies carry solid, frozen material that can be analyzed as they temporarily pass through our cosmic neighborhood.

It also developed a coma dominated by carbon monoxide after perihelion, with CO and CO₂ abundances exceeding those of water. The evolution of its emissions confirms that cometary activity changes as different internal ice reservoirs become exposed to direct solar heating.

Its importance lies not in the search for life, but in reconstructing temperatures, radiation levels, metallicity, and stellar evolution through isotopes. This combination provides an independent way to study the distant history of the Milky Way.

Although the proposed age still carries uncertainties, the combination of deuterium and carbon clearly distinguishes 3I/ATLAS from Solar System comets. Future interstellar visitors will help determine whether this chemistry is unique or represents an as-yet unidentified population of small planetesimals.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense in many parts of the world, prompting cities and engineers to search for new ways of reducing urban temperatures.

In Yucheng, China, an unconventional solution is attracting international attention: buildings equipped with misting systems that create a form of "artificial rain" to cool the surrounding environment.

Technology to combat urban heat

The technology has been installed at the Shichang Guobinfu residential complex, where large misting systems mounted on rooftops release millions of microscopic water droplets.

These droplets evaporate rapidly before reaching the ground, absorbing heat from the surrounding air and nearby surfaces through a process known as evaporative cooling.

Although the images give the impression of real rain falling down the sides of the buildings, the aim is not to soak the streets or the buildings themselves, but to lower temperatures in outdoor areas.According to those behind the project, the system could significantly reduce the temperature of surfaces exposed to direct sunlight, making courtyards, gardens and communal spaces much more comfortable during periods of extreme heat

Science supports the principle

The technology itself is not new. Evaporative cooling has been used for decades in a variety of settings, from agricultural greenhouses to outdoor cafés and public parks.

As water evaporates, it absorbs thermal energy from its surroundings, causing temperatures to fall.

The results vary because it is not always the air temperature that decreases the most. In many cases, it is surface temperatures and the perceived temperature that show the greatest improvement.

It's not without drawbacks

Despite its potential, the solution also raises several important concerns. One of the biggest is water consumption, particularly at a time when many regions are facing prolonged periods of drought.

At the Yucheng project, each activation of the system can consume dozens of tonnes of water, in addition to the energy required to power the high-pressure equipment.

There are also ongoing costs associated with maintenance, water treatment and replacing the hundreds of spray nozzles used by the system.

Experts also point out that this technology performs best in dry environments. In areas with high relative humidity, evaporation becomes less efficient, reducing its cooling capacity and potentially making conditions feel even more oppressive.

A response to increasingly hot cities

The growth of cities contributes to the so-called urban heat island effect, whereby concrete, asphalt and buildings absorb heat during the day and release it slowly overnight. As a result, city centres can record temperatures several degrees higher than the surrounding rural areas.

Solutions such as green roofs, living walls, reflective building materials, increasing tree cover and misting systems are beginning to form part of climate change adaptation strategies.

The aim is not to replace air conditioning inside buildings, but to reduce temperatures in public spaces and improve comfort for residents.

Could this infrastructure work in the UK?

In theory, some parts of the UK could benefit from this type of technology, particularly during increasingly frequent summer heatwaves. It is likely to be most effective in the hotter and drier parts of southern and eastern England, where lower humidity allows evaporative cooling to work more efficiently.

However, because the UK's climate is generally more humid than that of many southern European countries, evaporative cooling would often be less effective, particularly during muggy conditions when water evaporates more slowly.

Any large-scale deployment would also depend on several factors, including installation costs, water availability, energy efficiency and local planning regulations.

Although the UK does not face the same level of water scarcity as some warmer countries, growing pressure on water supplies in parts of England means any system of this kind would still need to use water responsibly and demonstrate clear environmental benefits before being widely adopted.

As extreme heat becomes more common across the UK, innovations such as these could play an important role in helping towns and cities adapt to a warming climate.

Everything slows down in winter, and the garden is no exception. There is less sunlight, plants conserve energy, and the soil holds moisture for much longer.

That's when a common mistake happens: many people keep watering as often as they did in summer, and this is one of the leading causes of plant death during winter. Rosemary is among the plants most commonly affected by excess moisture.

This aromatic herb, a staple in many kitchens, tolerates dry conditions remarkably well. What it can't handle is cold weather combined with soggy soil. To avoid this common winter problem, there's a simple and effective household trick. All you need is a wooden skewer.

Many people judge soil moisture by looking at the surface of the pot. The top layer often dries quickly because it's exposed to the air. This creates a false impression. Beneath the surface, around the roots, the growing medium may still be saturated with dense, harmful moisture. The wooden skewer removes the guesswork and tells you exactly what's happening below.

The trick works just like testing whether a cake is fully baked. Insert a wooden skewer into the potting soil. Push it about two inches (5 cm) deep, close to the edge of the pot so you don't damage the main root.

Leave it there for a few minutes, then pull it out and check the result. If the skewer comes out clean and dry, your plant needs water. If it comes out with dark soil sticking to it or feels damp to the touch, put the watering can away. The soil is still holding plenty of moisture.

Why rosemary hates soggy soil

This Mediterranean herb naturally grows in dry, rocky soils. Its roots evolved to search for moisture deep underground. They are not adapted to constant contact with water. When the soil remains waterlogged, the roots become deprived of oxygen and lose their ability to absorb nutrients.

Overwatering causes clear warning signs. First, the leaves lose their vibrant green color and begin turning yellow. Then the stems soften and the plant starts to wilt. Eventually, deadly fungal diseases develop at the base of the shrub. Rosemary can survive being forgotten for a while, but it rarely survives sitting in water throughout the winter.

The wooden skewer trick also works for many other plants that are equally sensitive to excess moisture. Herbs such as thyme, lavender, and sage have similar watering needs. Their roots also rot easily if the soil doesn't drain properly.

The wooden skewer is also an ideal tool for succulents and cacti. These plants store water in their leaves and stems, so the growing medium should dry out completely between waterings. Using the skewer helps eliminate the guesswork and prevents rot before it starts.

Other uses for a wooden skewer

Young rosemary stems sometimes grow weak or bend under the weight of their own foliage. If you gently tie the stem to the skewer with soft twine, it becomes the perfect support stake. This helps the plant grow upright and strong.

It also works as an excellent plant marker. When sowing seeds or placing small cuttings, it's easy to forget their exact location. A skewer placed in the soil marks the spot so you don't accidentally disturb it while gardening.

Essential care for healthy rosemary

Managing moisture is essential, but rosemary also needs other conditions to thrive. It requires at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. Place it in the sunniest window in your home or in a bright, open spot on the balcony. Without enough light, its stems become leggy and the plant loses much of its signature fragrance.

The choice of pot is just as important. Always use containers with large drainage holes at the bottom. Adding a layer of gravel or expanded clay pellets before filling the pot with soil improves drainage. The growing medium should be light and contain plenty of sand so water can flow through freely.

Unfortunately, the first heat-related deaths of 2026 have already occurred in Spain. Every summer, the sharp rise in temperatures leads to an increase in medical emergencies that can have fatal consequences.

Among the most common are heat stroke and sunstroke, two terms that are often used interchangeably, although there are important differences between them. Both can affect anyone, but the risk is higher among children, older adults, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with chronic illnesses.

Knowing how to recognize the first symptoms and act quickly is essential to prevent serious complications. In some cases, delayed treatment can put a person’s life at risk.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature.

Under normal conditions, the body releases heat through sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. However, when environmental heat is extreme or physical exertion is intense, these mechanisms become ineffective and body temperature rises to dangerous levels.

This is a true medical emergency, as it can damage vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver.

What is sunstroke?

Sunstroke occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun, especially when the head and neck are exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period.

Although it can progress to heat stroke if not treated properly, sunstroke usually begins with milder symptoms related to the direct effects of sunlight on the body.

In other words, any case of sunstroke can eventually develop into heat stroke, but not all cases of heat stroke are caused by sun exposure. Heat stroke can also occur in extremely hot indoor spaces, during intense physical activity, or in poorly ventilated environments.

Symptoms of heat stroke

Symptoms can appear suddenly and worsen within minutes.

The main warning signs include:

• Body temperature above 104°F.
• Very hot, red, and dry skin, although sweating may still occur in some cases.
• Severe headache.
• Dizziness and weakness.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Rapid breathing.
• Rapid pulse.
• Confusion or difficulty speaking.
• Changes in behavior.
• Seizures.
• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

If any of these symptoms occur, it is essential to act immediately.

Symptoms of sunstroke

With sunstroke, symptoms usually develop more gradually and may include:

• Headache.
• Reddened skin.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Heavy sweating.
• Weakness.
• Intense thirst.
• Muscle cramps.

If sun exposure continues, sunstroke can become more severe and progress to heat stroke.

What to do in the event of heat stroke

Acting quickly is essential. While emergency services are on the way, several basic first-aid measures should be followed.

The first step is to move the affected person to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned place.

Next, remove excess clothing to help the body release heat.

It is recommended to cool the body with damp cloths, cold compresses, or water applied to the skin, especially around the neck, armpits, and groin, where major blood vessels are located.

If the person is conscious and can swallow without difficulty, offer cool water in small sips. However, if their level of consciousness is impaired, never attempt to give them fluids by mouth.

If the person loses consciousness, place them on their side in the recovery position while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.

How to prevent these emergencies

Prevention remains the most effective protection against extreme heat. Experts recommend staying well hydrated even before feeling thirsty, avoiding sun exposure during the hottest part of the day—approximately between noon and 5:00 p.m.—wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing, protecting the head with a cap or hat, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen.

It is also advisable to remain in cool places, reduce intense physical activity during the hottest hours, and pay special attention to the most vulnerable groups.

Another essential measure is to never leave children, older adults, or animals inside a parked vehicle, even for only a few minutes. Inside a closed car, temperatures can rise rapidly to extremely dangerous levels.

When should you seek medical care?

Any suspected case of heat stroke should be treated as a medical emergency. A very high body temperature, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, or difficulty breathing requires an immediate call to emergency services.

By contrast, mild sunstroke usually improves with rest, hydration, and cooling the body. Even so, if symptoms worsen or do not disappear within a reasonable amount of time, medical care should also be sought.

And remember: as extreme temperatures increase because of climate change, understanding these differences and knowing how to respond has become a public health issue. Early diagnosis and rapid intervention can prevent serious complications and even save lives.

The latest photographs returned by NASA's missions offer a view of Mars in greater detail than ever before. The images come from orbiting spacecraft and the Perseverance rover, which continues exploring Jezero Crater to study the composition of the terrain. Among the dunes, mountains, and vast canyons, several rock formations have caught the attention of researchers.

The most talked-about structures stand out because some rocks appear to be balanced on top of one another. Their appearance has sparked all kinds of speculation online, although scientific teams rule out explanations involving artificial activity or the presence of life. The most likely explanation still points to geological processes that unfolded over millions of years.

NASA's latest images of Mars

The photographs were taken on May 13 at several locations within Jezero Crater, a site chosen because of its geological history. Scientists believe this basin was once a lake billions of years ago, when the planet had very different conditions from today and liquid water existed on its surface.

The observed formations do not fit easily into the standard models used to interpret the Martian landscape. On Earth, similar features can form through water erosion, volcanic activity, or temperature changes, but there is still no definitive explanation for how these configurations formed on Mars.

One possibility researchers are considering is that an original rock split into multiple layers due to the long-term action of wind or water. Even so, they stress that additional data will be needed before confirming this hypothesis, as the current images do not answer all the questions.

NASA's new images reveal a planet that is constantly changing

Data returned by NASA's missions support an idea that is becoming increasingly accepted among scientists. Far from being a static world, Mars still experiences atmospheric and geological processes that slowly reshape its surface over time.

Among the most remarkable phenomena are the so-called dust devils, large columns of swirling dust created by temperature differences between the ground and the atmosphere. These whirlwinds can rise several kilometers into the air and travel long distances before dissipating.

The images allow scientists to study these dust devils in greater detail and better understand how airborne dust influences the Martian climate. This information is also extremely valuable for future crewed missions, since dust particles can affect both visibility and the performance of solar panels and scientific instruments.

Jezero Crater, a key to understanding Mars' history

Beyond the unusual rocks, the images also reveal some of the Solar System's largest geological features. Among them are Olympus Mons, which rises nearly 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) high, and Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching approximately 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles).

The goal of these observations goes far beyond capturing high-quality images. Scientists are trying to reconstruct the planet's evolution and determine whether Mars once had the conditions necessary to support habitable environments.

Studies conducted so far indicate that between 3.5 and 4 billion years ago, Mars had warmer temperatures and abundant water in the form of rivers, lakes, and even shallow seas. Although there is still no definitive evidence that life ever existed there, the sedimentary rocks in Jezero Crater may preserve organic compounds or chemical signatures left behind by ancient microorganisms.

This seemingly paradoxical pattern is a well-known fingerprint of humanity's impact on the climate, but until now the underlying physics has remained something of a mystery.

In a new study, researchers at Columbia University describe the mechanics behind the phenomenon, explaining how it is largely determined by the way carbon dioxide (CO₂) interacts with different wavelengths of light.

"It explains a phenomenon that is a fingerprint of climate change, which has been known for decades but not fully understood," said Robert Pincus, a research professor of ocean and climate physics at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, part of Columbia Climate School, and co-author of the study published in Nature Geoscience.

In the lower atmosphere, CO₂ molecules trap heat that would otherwise escape into space. At higher altitudes, however, the dynamics change. In the stratosphere – the atmospheric layer extending from around 11 km to 50 km above Earth's surface – CO₂ molecules act almost like a radiator, absorbing infrared energy from below and emitting some of it into space. As CO₂ concentrations increase, the stratosphere radiates heat more efficiently and therefore cools.

This behaviour was predicted in the 1960s by Nobel Prize-winning climatologist Syukuro Manabe's models of Earth's climate and CO₂-induced global warming. The stratosphere has cooled by around 2°C since the mid-1980s. It is estimated that this represents more than ten times the cooling that would have occurred without human-caused CO₂ emissions.

However, although the basic principles behind stratospheric cooling are well understood, the finer details have remained unclear. "The existing theory was incredibly insightful, but we still lacked a quantitative theory for CO₂-induced stratospheric cooling," said Sean Cohen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and lead author of the study.

Cohen, Pincus and Lorenzo Polvani, a Lamont geophysicist and professor in Columbia Engineering's Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, developed their theory using an iterative approach. They identified the key processes involved in stratospheric cooling, assigned mathematical values to them, compared the results of their theoretical models with comprehensive simulations and real-world observations, refined their equations and repeated the process. Over several months, they derived the equations that best matched their data.

The researchers identified one key factor: how CO₂ molecules interact with light, particularly infrared (longwave) radiation. Not all infrared wavelengths pass through the atmosphere in the same way. Some contribute far more to cooling than others, and the team found that wavelengths within a particular "sweet spot" are especially effective. As atmospheric CO₂ accumulates, that optimal range expands.

"It is these changes in efficiency that ultimately drive stratospheric cooling," Cohen said.

The researchers also quantified the role played by ozone and water vapour. Like CO₂, these gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere while contributing to stratospheric cooling by radiating heat away. However, their influence proved to be relatively small compared with that of CO₂.

The team's equations successfully reproduce three well-established observations: how stratospheric cooling varies with altitude, being weakest in the lower stratosphere and strongest near the stratopause; how each doubling of atmospheric CO₂ produces around 8°C of cooling at the stratopause, the upper boundary of the stratosphere; and how a cooler stratosphere allows less infrared energy to escape into space, strengthening CO₂'s heat-trapping effect. In other words, CO₂ improves the stratosphere's ability to radiate heat, causing it to cool. But because the stratosphere becomes colder, the Earth system ultimately loses less heat to space overall, intensifying warming in the lower atmosphere.

"This is a process we've known about for more than 50 years, and we had a fairly good qualitative understanding of how it worked. What we didn't understand were the details of what was mechanically driving the process," Cohen said.

Cohen and Pincus say the importance of this work lies less in providing yet more evidence for global warming – something that is already firmly established – and more in improving our understanding of the mechanisms behind stratospheric cooling. "This reveals what is fundamental," said Pincus, adding that it provides a foundation for future research into the process. The findings may also prove useful for scientists studying atmospheric conditions beyond Earth.

"Perhaps we can better understand what is happening in the stratospheres of other planets in our Solar System and of exoplanets," Cohen said.

Key findings of the study

• The researchers explain why rising levels of carbon dioxide cool the stratosphere while warming Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere.
• The study shows that this cooling is largely controlled by the way CO₂ interacts with different wavelengths of infrared radiation.
• As CO₂ concentrations increase, the range of infrared wavelengths involved in stratospheric cooling expands.
• The findings help explain how stratospheric cooling reinforces CO₂'s overall heat-trapping effect.

Sending astronauts to Mars or even more distant destinations means solving a challenge that is as complex as it is unavoidable: long-term exposure to space radiation. Beyond Earth, where the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere provide natural protection, humans are exposed to a hostile environment capable of damaging the nervous system, increasing cancer risk, and accelerating the deterioration of various body tissues.

For years, engineers have evaluated different strategies to reduce that risk. One of the most common approaches is surrounding the spacecraft with materials capable of absorbing part of the radiation, such as aluminum, polyethylene, or even water. However, this solution has one obvious drawback: the enormous additional weight that must be launched into space, significantly increasing the cost of any mission.

Another alternative that has attracted considerable interest is the use of superconducting magnets, capable of generating a powerful magnetic field around the spacecraft to deflect charged particles. However, these systems require a constant power supply and complex cryogenic cooling mechanisms. A failure in any of these components could leave the crew completely unprotected.

Betting on permanent magnets

To overcome these limitations, a group of researchers from Italy and Germany has proposed a middle-ground solution: using permanent magnets to generate a magnetic shield without consuming electricity.

The study, published as a preprint on arXiv, examines whether an array of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, widely used for their strong magnetic properties, could deflect some of the charged particles released during a solar storm, one of the greatest hazards for crewed space missions.

To test the idea, the researchers developed a theoretical model consisting of an array of 1,482 cubic magnets, each measuring just 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) on each side. The entire assembly covered an area of about one square meter and weighed less than 300 kilograms (660 pounds), considerably lighter than an equivalent passive radiation shield.

Promising results, but with important limitations

The simulations showed that the system successfully deflected about 20% of solar particles with energies between 0.1 and 10 MeV. While this may seem like a modest percentage, it represents a significant reduction in lower-energy radiation—the type that permanent magnets were most effective at deflecting.

In practice, the shield acts like a filter. Lower-energy particles change direction as they pass through the magnetic field, while higher-energy protons pass through almost unaffected.

This behavior makes it clear that the technology is not a complete solution, but rather a potential complement within a broader radiation protection system.

Galactic cosmic radiation remains the biggest challenge

The main drawback is that this type of shield is virtually ineffective against galactic cosmic rays, one of the most dangerous components of the space environment.

The researchers also warn of another possible side effect. When high-energy protons strike the magnets directly, they may produce secondary radiation such as neutrons or gamma rays. Under certain conditions, this phenomenon could locally increase radiation exposure instead of reducing it.

There is also another concern: permanent magnets gradually lose part of their magnetization over time. This degradation would steadily reduce the system's protective capability during long-duration missions.

Another piece of the puzzle for protecting future astronauts

Despite these limitations, the authors believe the concept deserves further investigation. Rather than replacing existing technologies, permanent magnets could become part of a hybrid system that combines physical shielding, superconducting magnetic fields, and this new type of passive protection.

The next step will involve much more sophisticated Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate how the system would perform in a realistic space environment, where particles arrive from multiple directions and across a wide range of energies.

There is still a long way to go before a spacecraft bound for Mars carries a shield like this. Even so, any technology capable of reducing astronauts' radiation exposure—even partially—could prove critical in making future crewed missions into deep space a reality.

Environmental protest. Non-governmental organizations and some elected local officials are opposing a government project. The project aims to recycle collected plastic bottles instead of reusing them.

The project was revived at the end of May by President Emmanuel Macron, after environmental groups had already warned about its impact in 2023.

So why is this distinction so important?

The government's idea is to recycle, not reuse, plastic bottles. Axèle Gibert, waste prevention coordinator at France Nature Environnement (FNE), explains the problem: “This is not a deposit system for reuse [...] but a system that will allow manufacturers to recover these bottles to produce even more plastic.”

The problem is this: the bottles are not washed for later reuse.

They will be recycled. However, several critics of the project, including authorities and public representatives, question the use of the term “deposit.” They warn that these bottles would not really work as returnable containers with a guarantee, but as part of a system that could end up encouraging the consumption of single-use plastic.

Environmental organizations say the concern is possible “greenwashing”: presenting as a sustainable solution a measure that, in practice, would not reduce the production of disposable bottles. For its critics, the risk is that the initiative ends up benefiting the industry more than the environment by allowing more plastic containers to be sold under an apparently eco-friendly image.

If the collection and recycling target is not met, France will be required to implement the deposit-and-refund system for recycling starting on January 1, 2029. According to Nicolas Garnier, the measure could cost consumers between 1 billion and 3 billion euros, opening a major dispute between the government and its critics.

Mayors, waste management unions and opposition lawmakers accuse the state of imposing the measure without real consultation. They have even threatened to suspend payment of the TGAP, the general tax on polluting activities, if the government maintains its position.

For now, the debate appears to be deadlocked. The agreement is far from ideal, and associations regret that the government is giving manufacturers the right to continue using plastic, instead of fighting it and trying to reduce its use as much as possible.

The debate also carries a warning for Chile.

In a country where the consumption of plastic packaging remains high and the REP Law seeks to improve waste management, the French debate shows that increasing recycling is not enough if plastic generation is not reduced at the source.

The experience raises a key question: do we want to move toward a system that only recovers bottles to make more disposable containers, or toward one that truly promotes reuse, reduces single-use plastic and prevents sustainability from becoming a simple green label?

The Wi-Fi signal offered on buses, trains, ferries, and airplanes is often unreliable, with fluctuating signal strength that frequently fails to provide the stability needed for a consistent internet connection.

Because these services rely on cellular networks or satellite communications, high-speed internet access is affected by highly variable signal strength and limited coverage. This results in slower data speeds and frustrating service interruptions.

To address this issue, the UK government has announced plans to improve Wi-Fi service on its hundreds of intercity trains by adopting low Earth orbit satellite communication systems, commonly known as LEO satellites.

Officials are evaluating services offered by companies such as Starlink (owned by Elon Musk) and OneWeb (part of France's Eutelsat Group). Because these satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional satellites, they provide near-global coverage and much faster communications.

LEO satellite technology is expected to become increasingly common across road, rail, maritime, and even air transportation. Companies providing these services say they will revolutionize onboard connectivity by delivering a much more stable internet experience.

How does onboard internet work today, and what will change?

Today's trains rely on 4G and 5G cellular coverage along their routes. In addition, the available bandwidth is shared among all passengers. As a result, connections often deteriorate in rural areas, tunnels, and other places with weak network coverage.

High-speed rail presents an even greater challenge. Maintaining a reliable internet connection is especially difficult when trains travel at average speeds of 155 mph (250 km/h), with some services in China reaching as much as 220 mph (354 km/h).

Low-latency networks vs. emerging LEO systems

Before turning to LEO satellites, one solution involved installing dedicated communication networks alongside railway tracks using advanced technologies capable of delivering ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity, even at high speeds. However, these systems are expensive to build and maintain.

Companies developing LEO satellite systems say they can provide nearly global coverage without requiring costly rail-side infrastructure. Following successful trials, the UK government has announced a five-year rollout of LEO satellite connectivity across its rail network.

Internet service on airplanes

Lufthansa became the first commercial airline to introduce onboard internet service in 2003. Since then, the technology has expanded rapidly. Today, around 70% of airlines worldwide offer Wi-Fi service to passengers.

Traditional in-flight internet relies on either air-to-ground communications or satellite systems. Aircraft use antennas mounted underneath the fuselage to connect with networks of ground-based towers. As a result, coverage is limited and often inadequate on transoceanic routes.

LEO systems are coming to aviation too

LEO satellite internet is already delivering ultra-fast speeds exceeding 100 Mbps on some aircraft. One remaining challenge is that signals still travel thousands of miles, creating delays that continue to affect performance.

As the technology matures, artificial intelligence improves network management, and satellite capacity continues to expand, onboard Wi-Fi will increasingly support video streaming and cloud-based services with minimal interruptions.

Performance on buses and ferries

Internet availability on buses depends on mobile network coverage and capacity, often deteriorating in tunnels, rural areas, or when buses are crowded. Access to reliable free Wi-Fi on buses has actually declined in recent years.

Meanwhile, ferries and cruise ships depend on satellite communications. Historically, they have relied on low-bandwidth systems used primarily for navigation, safety, and crew communications, supported by geostationary satellites orbiting about 22,000 miles (35,000 km) above Earth.

LEO satellite technology has significantly improved connectivity for both road and maritime transportation. As with trains and airplanes, adoption is expected to continue accelerating. The prospect of uninterrupted internet coverage is quickly becoming a reality.

The satellite map of Venezuela's northern coast shows in red the areas where the ground shifted eastwards and in blue the areas where it moved westwards. A thin white line marks the point where the fault ruptured beneath the surface.

Ground displacement during the June 2026 Venezuela earthquake

On 24 June 2026, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northern Venezuela, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock. Together, the two earthquakes caused extensive damage and significant loss of life across the region. In the days that followed, satellite maps of ground displacement revealed how the Earth's surface had moved, helping scientists understand the forces behind the severe destruction in places such as La Guaira and other coastal towns in La Guaira State.

The map above was created using data from the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite and processed by the NISAR science team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Scientists used a technique known as InSAR, which compares repeated satellite observations to detect subtle changes in the distance between the satellite and the Earth's surface. Images captured on 25 and 30 June, after the earthquakes, were compared with images taken on 13 and 18 June, before the earthquakes.

NISAR observes Earth at an angle of around 40 degrees from vertical, allowing it to capture a combination of horizontal and vertical ground movement. On this map, red areas indicate where the ground moved eastwards and upwards, while blue areas moved westwards and downwards. However, because the earthquake occurred on a strike-slip fault, most of the displacement shown on the map was horizontal (east-west).

White areas indicate little or no ground movement, including a narrow strip near the centre-left of the image close to Morón, which approximately marks where the fault ruptured at depth. The fault is part of a network of fractures running along the boundary between the Caribbean Plate to the north and the South American Plate to the south. Scientists say faults along this plate boundary, including the San Sebastián Fault System where these earthquakes most likely occurred (and possibly part of the Boconó Fault System), had been accumulating stress for a long time.

Why was the damage so severe?

The fault rupture propagated offshore towards the east before returning to land near the international airport north of Caracas, marked by the narrow white band visible between the westward and eastward displacement. Immediately south of this section of the fault, the dark blue colouring indicates that westward surface displacement was much greater than elsewhere, reaching up to 60 centimetres.

"These are the reasons why the damage in Caracas and La Guaira was so severe," said Eric Fielding, a geophysicist at JPL who produced the maps. "InSAR technology tells us a great deal about what happened during this earthquake."

Using the NISAR data, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) refined its fault slip model, or "finite fault model", to better define how the fault moved at depth, including along the eastern section of the rupture. "This is extremely helpful for those trying to understand why the damage was so severe in that area," Fielding said.

The displacement maps for this event were produced through NISAR's Urgent Response (UR) system, an accelerated process capable of delivering data within 12 to 24 hours to support disaster response efforts. The rapid processing relies on predicted orbital information, meaning the UR maps remain preliminary until they are reprocessed using precise orbital data, usually within one or two days. This marks the first time NISAR's Urgent Response system has been used to map ground displacement following a major earthquake.

NASA Earth Observatory map by Lauren Dauphin using data provided by Eric Fielding and processed by the NISAR science team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Article by Kathryn Hansen.

Source: NASA

Synthetic DNA underpins a huge amount of modern medicine and science – diagnostics, genome engineering, cancer research, and all of it relies on being able to manufacture custom DNA sequences to order.

The standard way of doing that uses a known chemical process that works at massive scale. However, it relies on hazardous organic solvents and has to be done in specialised centralised facilities, which limits who can do it and where.

Scientists have been interested in enzymatic DNA synthesis as an alternative to this for asometime. Using water, this method works more like the way living cells naturally build DNA, but previous attempts had only managed to produce about a dozen sequences at once.

However, a fresh study led by a research team at Harvard has now pushed that number to 64, each up to 39 nucleotides long, using a silicon chip and carefully controlled electrical currents.

A chip that started life studying neurons

The funny thing about this chip is that it wasn't designed for DNA at all – it was originally built by Jeffrey Abbott, a former PhD student in the lab of Donhee Ham at Harvard's School of Engineering, to record electrical activity inside large populations of brain cells. After redesigning the surface electrodes, the team realised the same precision current control could be redirected from neurons to molecules.

"At a certain point, we wondered whether that same current control could be redirected from cells to molecules, replacing the neuron-facing electrodes with ring-electrode pairs that could localise pH for DNA synthesis," Ham said. "It worked."

The chip's surface has 64 synthesis sites, each with two concentric ring electrodes surrounding anchored DNA molecules. When a site is activated, the inner electrode generates protons that lower the local pH and trigger the next building block to attach. The outer electrode mops up any protons that drift outward, keeping the reaction confined to that single spot. Repeating the process through multiple cycles builds 64 unique sequences independently.

Where chemistry becomes the bottleneck

The team also tried packing sites closer together to scale things up further, and while the chip itself managed to confine the pH precisely, the chemistry let them down. The deprotection step – which removes a blocking group between each round of building – generates intermediate molecules that can drift into neighbouring sites and cause unwanted reactions, which limits how tightly the sites can be spaced.

"The chip did what we asked it to do: it localised low pH at selected sites," said co-first author Han Sae Jung. "The limitation came from the deprotection chemistry, not from the silicon."

The researchers also used their 64 sequences to encode a 169-byte text as a proof of concept for DNA data storage, which remains a long-term goal because DNA is extraordinarily compact and durable as a storage medium.

Another co author of the study, Woo-Bin Jung, said that if the parallel synthesis could be scaled well beyond 64 sequences, enzymatic synthesis in water "could offer an environmentally friendly route toward writing DNA at very large scale".

Still, new chemistry will need to catch up with the chip before that becomes possible, he said.

Have you ever wondered how you would survive if the world suddenly came to a halt tomorrow? In a global collapse scenario—a solar storm, an extreme pandemic or a war—supply chains would disappear within days and supermarkets would be left empty.

In that situation, the difference between going hungry and surviving would depend on what we were able to grow in our own surroundings. But how much land would be needed? What should we plant?

Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand investigated the conditions a community would need to survive on food produced within its own surroundings.

For the study, they used geographical, demographic and soil data from Palmerston North, a city of 90,000 residents located 87 miles from Wellington.

One of the study’s most interesting contributions is its calculation of the actual physical space required for each resident. The mathematical model determined that under normal climate conditions, each person would need approximately 115 square meters of peri-urban farmland to meet their basic nutritional needs.

According to the researchers, applying this scale to a medium-sized city would require a surrounding agricultural belt of just over 1,100 hectares. This figure shows that self-sufficiency is geographically possible, provided local governments protect fertile soils around urban centers and prevent them from being consumed by housing developments or industrial complexes.

To reach these conclusions, the experts divided their analysis into two specific climate scenarios examined throughout the research.

Scenario 1: Trade collapse under normal climate conditions

If a catastrophe halts transportation but the climate remains stable, the study argues that the best strategy should be divided between two coordinated fronts: the urban center and the surrounding land.

In the heart of the city—peas: Urban parks, gardens and balconies should be covered with peas. According to the report, they are an excellent source of protein, naturally fix nitrogen in the soil and make efficient use of small spaces.

The scientists explain that the peas would be consumed dried, such as split peas, making them easier to store over the long term. Urban space, however, is limited. The study estimates that even if 100% of it were used, it could feed only 20% of residents.

Potatoes on the outskirts: For the remaining 80% of the population, the authors determined that the solution lies along the city’s outer edge. The surrounding agricultural belt would need to be devoted entirely to potatoes, identified by the study as the leading crop for calorie production per hectare.

Scenario 2: Nuclear winter—cold and darkness

The second hypothetical scenario assumes that the disaster blocks sunlight and causes temperatures to plunge. Under conditions of permanent winter, potatoes and peas would die from frost.

Agricultural priorities would therefore change completely.

Inside the city, cold-hardy leafy and root vegetables should be prioritized, particularly spinach and fodder beet.

In the surrounding areas, survival would depend on a precise mathematical combination calculated by the authors. About 97% of the outer farmland would need to be devoted to wheat to secure the main source of calories. The remaining 3% would be reserved for carrots, which are essential for providing the vitamin A the body needs.

The end of traditional livestock farming

The research also examines what would happen to farm animals in a situation of complete isolation. The scientists reached a firm conclusion: keeping livestock for meat or milk production would not be viable. According to the report, animals consume too many resources and convert plant energy into human calories very inefficiently.

During an emergency, the study concludes that grazing fields would need to be immediately converted into areas for direct crop production. The human diet would become strictly vegetarian because all available land would need to be used exclusively to grow food that moves directly from the field to the plate, without four-legged intermediaries.

The study notes that the theory works perfectly on paper, but putting it into practice would present enormous challenges during a real crisis. According to the researchers, transitioning to emergency agriculture would require advance planning.

Success would depend on maintaining local seed banks and preparing alternative energy sources, such as small rapeseed crops for biofuel, to keep machinery operating if petroleum becomes scarce.

Factors such as the degradation of urban soil and the difficulty of distributing water when the electrical grid is down are critical variables highlighted by the analysis.

Even so, the research shows that cities have far greater resilience potential than we might imagine. Learning to care for a few potted plants today could be the first step toward building a more self-sufficient future.

During June, the heatwave that affected much of Europe pushed temperatures to record June levels in several countries, with some locations recording the highest daily maximum temperatures ever observed in long historical records.

The episode occurred just a few weeks after another period of intense heat in May and was followed by a further spell of exceptionally high temperatures at the beginning of July.

Extreme heat kills

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), heat stress is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths and can worsen underlying health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health disorders and asthma. It can also increase the risk of accidents and the transmission of certain infectious diseases. Heatstroke is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate.

Across every region of the world, the number of people exposed to extreme heat is increasing exponentially as a result of climate change.

Europe has experienced significant heat-related mortality during previous summers, most notably in 2003 and, more recently, in 2022 and 2024.

The June 2026 heatwave, the most extreme heat event ever recorded in Europe, had severe impacts on public health, with deaths linked to the exceptionally high temperatures.

It will still take several months before the true toll of Europe's worst-ever heatwave is officially confirmed. However, researchers are already able to estimate the number of deaths based on mortality observed during previous periods of extreme heat across Europe.

Christopher Callahan, from Indiana University (Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs), wrote an article based on a study published by his research team last year, presenting an estimate of the number of deaths caused by the June 2026 heatwave in Europe.

To produce this estimate, the scientists compiled temperature and mortality data from across Europe and established a relationship between high temperatures and excess mortality rates. They then used this relationship to infer how a heatwave of this magnitude would affect mortality across a region such as Europe.

The highest estimated death toll occurred in France, with 5,210 deaths, followed by Germany (4,543), Spain (3,163) and Italy (2,709).

In Belgium, the heatwave, which lasted from 18 June to 1 July 2026, became the deadliest in the country's history, with average mortality increasing by 47.8%, resulting in an estimated 1,747 more deaths than would normally be expected at that time of year.

According to an emergency physician at a university hospital in Belgium, the situation during the peak weekend was so severe that excess mortality even exceeded that recorded during the worst weekend of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Portugal, where the heatwave was felt most intensely at the beginning of July, the National Health Authority estimates that 125 deaths occurred as a result of the extreme heat.

Reducing the impact of heatwaves

Although these figures remain preliminary, Callahan warns of the urgent need for investment in adaptation measures to prevent similar impacts in the future.

The United Nations, through its various agencies, particularly the WHO, together with the health authorities of most countries, regularly publish self-protection and adaptation advice to help reduce the effects of heatwaves whenever meteorological services forecast periods of extreme temperatures.

Because the harmful health impacts of extreme heat are predictable and, to a large extent, preventable through targeted public health policies and cross-sector interventions, it is essential that advice on self-protection and adaptation measures is widely communicated to the public.

Several years ago, the WHO published guidance for public health institutions to help identify and manage the risks associated with extreme heat. Measures to tackle climate change, combined with comprehensive preparedness and effective risk management, can save lives both now and in the future, particularly when exposure factors linked to occupation and socioeconomic conditions are taken into account.

During periods of extreme heat, alongside other recommendations such as staying well hydrated, experts suggest making free drinking water compulsory at public events, ensuring access to cool or air-conditioned spaces within cities such as museums, strengthening protections for workers exposed to extreme heat by adjusting working hours where appropriate, and ensuring that local authorities or other relevant organisations make direct contact with vulnerable people.

Scientists warn that the message is clear: heat is now the deadliest weather-related hazard we face, and the majority of these deaths could be prevented because these events can now be forecast with considerable accuracy.

Although improvements have been made in public awareness, heat warnings and the installation of air conditioning systems, effective systems have still not been fully developed across healthcare, housing, social care and transport that can turn accurate forecasts into effective protection.

Governments, public authorities and society as a whole must always bear in mind that the priority is to prevent further loss of life as the planet continues to warm and extreme heat becomes increasingly severe.