In mid-May, the 2025 International Science and Engineering Fair was held in Columbus, Ohio. It's the world's largest science contest for students who haven't gone to college yet. The grand prize went to a student from Slovakia for a new way of making a medicine.
Published in “Science”
On Monday, scientists and government leaders came together in Nice, France for the third United Nations Ocean Conference. The meeting is focused on the many challenges facing the world's oceans, and what can be done to help. The event comes as the US has suddenly taken a step back from protecting the oceans.
Scientists have long known that chimpanzees sometimes use leaves or insects as medicine. Now, researchers studying chimpanzees in Uganda have discovered that the animals will sometimes provide "first aid" to each other. This suggests that chimpanzees may be able to think about how to help others, as well as themselves.
Last year, the world lost more forests than ever before. The biggest cause of this loss was fires. Land clearing for farming and other human activities was also a major cause. The results are very worrying for the planet, which relies on forests to help fight climate change.
Scientists in Hawaii have discovered a new species of moth, and its caterpillar has an unusual lifestyle. It lives in spiders' webs, eating insects it finds there. To protect itself from the spiders, the caterpillar covers itself with body parts from dead insects. Scientists call it the "bone collector" caterpillar.
Scientists have created the first gene-editing medicine made for a single patient. The patient - a young baby who was sick because of a problem with his DNA - is now greatly improved, and is expected to go home soon.
Scientists in the Netherlands have created a soft-bodied robot that's powered by air. The robot doesn't have a computer or a "brain", but even so, it's able to walk and swim on its own.
On Earth Day - April 22 - the XPrize announced the winners of its Carbon Removal contest. A company called Mati Carbon won the $50 million prize. Their method is simple, but it could remove huge amounts of carbon dioxide and also help farmers grow more food.
Scientists working at the Cambridge University Library have discovered a lost story from the middle ages about King Arthur and Merlin. The story was hiding in plain sight - it had been used as a book cover. Now scientists have carefully "unfolded" the book cover digitally, revealing the hidden story.
Last Saturday, a half marathon was held in Beijing, China. About 12,000 runners took part. On a separate track, beside the human runners, 21 human-like robots tackled the same challenge. It was the first race of its kind. Despite the challenges, six robots finished the race.
Yesterday was the 55th celebration of Earth Day. This year's theme was "Our Power, Our Planet", with a focus on how rapidly growing renewable energy sources are promising hope in the fight against the climate crisis.