Patrick Pester is the trending news writer at Live Science. His work has appeared on other science websites, such as BBC Science Focus and Scientific American. Patrick retrained as a journalist after spending his early career working in zoos and wildlife conservation. He was awarded the Master's Excellence Scholarship to study at Cardiff University where he completed a master's degree in international journalism. He also has a second master's degree in biodiversity, evolution and conservation in action from Middlesex University London. When he isn't writing news, Patrick investigates the sale of human remains.
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The universe may be dying much faster than we thoughtAstrophysicists have proposed a new theoretical maximum lifespan for the universe, which suggests that dead stars are decaying much faster than previously thought. The estimate of stellar remnant decay is based on Stephen Hawking's famous black hole radiation theory.
By Patrick Pester Published
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NASA satellites show Antarctica has gained ice despite rising global temperatures. How is that possible?An abrupt change in Antarctica has caused the continent to gain ice. But this increase, documented in NASA satellite data, is a temporary anomaly rather than an indication that global warming has reversed, scientists say.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Satellite study reveals the fastest sinking city in the USSatellite data revealed that Houston is the fastest-sinking city in the U.S., and that all of the other biggest cities are dropping in at least some areas. Researchers say groundwater extraction is largely to blame for the sink.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Rare genetic mutation lets some people thrive on just 4 hours of shut-eyeA newly identified mutation helps super-sleepers get by on just four to six hours of shut-eye per night, while the rest of us need around eight hours. Researchers described the SIK3-N783Y mutation in a new study after testing it on sleep-deprived inbred mice.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Climate change made April's catastrophic floods worse, report findsA report into April's deadly flooding has found that climate change made the central Mississippi River valley's extreme weather event more likely and more intense.
By Patrick Pester Published
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NASA Mars satellite uncovers markings 'like paint dripping down a wall' on Martian surfaceWave-like soil patterns on the Martian surface match those found in Earth's cold, mountain regions, which could help scientists better understand the Red Planet's climate history and search for signs of life.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Pterosaur tracks reveal flying reptiles were comfortable on land, tooResearchers studying pterosaur tracks have found that ancient flying reptiles became better adapted to life on land during the middle of the Jurassic period and even shared environments with dinosaurs.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Titanic digital reconstruction sheds light on night ship sankA new documentary explores the tragic final night of the RMS Titanic with the most detailed digital reconstruction of the ship ever created.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Planet Nine candidate detected deep in our solar systemResearchers have found a candidate for the hypothetical Planet Nine, which could be an undiscovered giant planet way out in our solar system. However, as with all ninth planet research, the new findings were met with some skepticism.
By Patrick Pester Published
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ChatGPT update pulled after chatbot complimented users too muchA recent update caused ChatGPT to turn into a sycophant, with the chatbot excessively complimenting and flattering its users with reassurances — even when they said they'd harmed animals or stopped taking their medication. OpenAI has now reversed the changes.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Ancient zircon crystals shed light on 1 billion-year-old meteorite strike in ScotlandGeologists have found that an ancient meteorite hit Scotland 200 million years later than previously thought, which has massive implications for the geological history of the region and some of the U.K.'s earliest land life.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Researchers react to T. rex 'leather' announcementCompanies claim that Tyrannosaurus rex leather could soon be entering the luxury fashion market, but dinosaur researchers say you can't make genuine T. rex skin.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Two new crocodiles discovered in the CaribbeanA crocodile DNA study has revealed two previously unknown Crocodylus species in the Caribbean. The crocodiles live on Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro, where they're threatened by human activities.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Scientists find 'breathing' magma cap inside Yellowstone supervolcanoYellowstone's supervolcano appears to have a magma cap that vents pressure and reduces the chances of a massive eruption happening anytime soon.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Zoo unveils babies of 100-year-old giant tortoise, 'Mommy'Four adorable western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise babies are now on display at Philadelphia Zoo after their 100-year-old 'Mommy' reproduced for the first time.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Giant mosasaur discovered in MississippiResearchers may have discovered Mississippi's largest ever mosasaur after pulling a Cretaceous-aged fossil out of a riverbed south of Starkville.
By Patrick Pester Published
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NASA's Lucy spacecraft snaps first close-ups of weird peanut-shaped asteroidNASA has released the Lucy spacecraft's first close-up images of asteroid Donaldjohanson, revealing a peanut-shaped rock that could shed light on how planets formed in our solar system.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Earth Day: When is it and why do we celebrate it?Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22 that celebrates Earth and raises public awareness about the environment.
By Patrick Pester Last updated
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Chimps filmed sharing alcoholic food for first timeVideos of chimpanzees sharing alcoholic fruit suggest that this behavior could have led to feasting in humans, a new study finds.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Watch bison flee as famous Yellowstone wolf pack descendsYellowstone's Junction Butte wolf pack failed in a recent attempt to kill a bison, but the pack appears to be thriving again after the death of its former alpha female, Wolf 907F.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Northern lights ignite night sky after rare double solar eruptionSolar eruptions created a northern lights display in North America and Europe overnight, with more auroras expected through Thursday.
By Patrick Pester Published
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T. rex fossil trade hurting scientific research, study claimsA Tyrannosaurus rex researcher has found that there are now more scientifically valuable T. rex specimens in private or commercial ownership than in public museums, hampering research.
By Patrick Pester Published
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Zoo elephants form protective ring around young during California earthquakeThe San Diego Zoo Safari Park's elephants raced to protect their calves with an "alert circle" when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Julian in Southern California.
By Patrick Pester Published
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La Niña finished after just a few monthsThe La Niña weather pattern ended last month as Pacific Ocean temperatures rose and the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle entered a neutral state, according to the NOAA.
By Patrick Pester Published
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