Live Science Today: 'Hexagonal' diamonds and fish scale down
Daily Roundup Monday, March 16, 2026: Your daily shot of the biggest science stories making headlines.
Space
Can you see Earth's shadow?
Earth's shadow follows the planet as it orbits the sun. You can get a sense of its enormous, awe-inspiring size by seeing this silhouette cast on objects ranging from satellites to the moon.
'A collision within a collision': Neutron star merger hiding in mini-galaxy could answer 2 big astrophysics questions
A powerful "gamma-ray burst" has been seen exploding from merging neutron stars hidden within a previously unknown mini-galaxy leftover from an ancient cosmic crash. The "collision within a collision" could help answer multiple astrophysics questions, researchers say.
Exceptionally rare sighting of planets colliding may shed light on the crash that formed the moon
Astronomers say a distant, sunlike star shows signs of a catastrophic planet-on-planet crash that may mirror the ancient impact that formed Earth's moon.
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'Interstellar messenger' 3I/ATLAS could be nearly as old as the universe itself, James Webb telescope observations reveal
The comet formed in a cold and distant part of the early Milky Way up to 12 billion years ago, potentially putting it just under 2 billion years the age of the universe.
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Planet Earth
El Niño: Facts, news, features and articles about the climate cycle that impacts weather patterns around the globe
Fact file Get the science behind what causes El Niño, how long it lasts and how often it occurs.
Sørvágsvatn: The lake that 'floats' above the ocean thanks to a unique optical illusion
Sørvágsvatn, also called Leitisvatn, is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. Viewed from a certain angle, one side appears to hover above the Atlantic Ocean.
Early warning indicator hidden within the Gulf Stream could signal the collapse of key Atlantic currents, study finds
Shifts in the Gulf Stream could help researchers predict the human-driven failure of a huge system of ocean currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
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Gemstone-filled river and striped mountain ridge form massive 'Y' in China's revitalized desert
Earth from space A 2025 satellite photo shows a giant "Y" in the middle of the Taklamakan Desert, where a verdant river and a lengthy "red-white mountain" meet. The intersecting features are also home to an eighth-century fort that was chock-full of ancient artifacts.
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Analysis
In-depth analysis on the science happening in the news right now
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Science Spotlight
Shining a light on new science transforming our world
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Opinion
Expert voices from the cutting edge of science
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Explainers
Everything you need to know about the science news that matters
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archaeology
Roman military fort discovered in Scotland far north of Hadrian's Wall
The newly found fortlet was a good lookout point for Roman soldiers stationed along the Antonine Wall in Scotland.
Startling archaeological finds, the Gulf Stream signals possible collapse, our sun's mass migration, the world's smallest QR code, and have we hit peak oil?
Science news this week March 14, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
1,900-year-old double Scythian burial in Ukraine contains toxic red mineral
A double burial in Ukraine of two women from the Late Scythian culture contains a toxic red mineral, but exactly why it was used remains a mystery.
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Animals
Bonobos are just as aggressive as chimps, but there's a key difference — the female bonobos
A new study of chimpanzee and bonobo groups at zoos reveals similar levels of aggression. However, scientists found stark sex-based differences between the species.
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'It's nature calling to humans, and humans deciding whether or not to reply': Why we need to start paying attention to our mutually beneficial relationships with other species
INTERVIEW Live Science spoke with Rob Dunn, an applied ecologist and author of the book "The Call of the Honeyguide," about "mutualism" — how different species team up for their mutual benefit — and how humans can feel more connected to nature.
Why aren't mammals as colorful as reptiles, birds or fish?
Many mammals have fur the color of brown and black. Why don't they have more exotic colors, like purple and neon pink?
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Cannibal orcas identified near Russia, two 'extinct' marsupials found, humans do cranial modification, China's oracle bones reveal climate disaster, and a barefoot volcanologist
Science news this week March 7, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Health & Human Behavior
Microplastics that accumulate in the body may 'clog up' immune cells
Microplastics that break off polystyrene food containers might prevent immune cells from fighting infections and clearing away dead cells, as well as reducing sperm counts, a mouse study hints.
Top 5 mistakes when using air purifiers during hay fever season
References If you're a hay fever sufferer, an air purifier may become your best friend this spring — but only if you use it right
'Rectal garlic insertion for immune support': Medical chatbots confidently give disastrously misguided advice, experts say
AI chatbots are seduced by misinformation that is delivered in medical jargon, leading them to give potentially dangerous advice.
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Woman born without a vagina or cervix went on to conceive a son naturally
A woman's rare condition made it unlikely for her to conceive without reproductive assistance, but in her case, she eventually bore a child without fertility treatment.
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Life's Little Mysteries
Science questions, answered
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Space photo of the week
Extraordinary images of our sublime universe
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Diagnostic dilemma
Unusual case reports from the medical literature
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Incredible places
A window onto extraordinary landscapes on Earth
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Astonishing artifacts
A glimpse into how people lived in the past
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Earth from space
Incredible images of our planet from above
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Technology
GPS is being weaponized in electronic warfare — and it's putting ships at risk
A cybersecurity researcher explores how GPS disruption can happen and its dangerous consequences.
Computing power is no longer the AI bottleneck — it's energy production
For decades, AI was held back by slow, expensive computers. Today, the problem is simpler, but harder to fix: finding enough reliable electricity to keep data centers running as AI spreads into everyday life.
Physics, Math & Chemistry
Scientists use 'negative light' to send secret messages hidden inside heat
Using a phenomenon called "negative light," scientists invisibly transferred data disguised as background thermal radiation.
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Quizzes & Games
Live Science crossword puzzle #34: Famous space telescope launched in 1990 — 5 across
Science crossword Test your knowledge on all things science with our weekly, free crossword puzzle!
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Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 early review: One of the best-value outdoor smartwatches released this year
Reviews The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is eerily similar to the Garmin Fenix 8 in terms of durability and premium outdoor-focused specs, but it is nowhere near as expensive.
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