Citizen Science Maps Global Microplastic Hotspots—and the Plastics Behind Them

A University of Portsmouth analysis of 1,089 shoreline surveys from the Big Microplastic Survey (2018–2024) reveals stark regional differences in the types and concentrations of plastics contaminating coasts worldwide.

The study—spanning 39 countries and nearly 59,000 items—highlights how volunteer-collected data can expose patterns traditional campaigns might miss, informing policy and cleanup priorities as negotiations continue on a UN treaty to end plastic pollution.

Smart Data Use Could Transform Global Flood Insurance Systems

As floods intensify worldwide, researchers at the University of Arizona have found that the choice of data in flood insurance programs can make the difference between timely, fair payouts and costly delays.

Their study, published in Earth’s Future, shows that combining multiple data sources—including artificial intelligence–powered satellite models—offers insurers and governments a clearer picture of disaster risks, potentially lowering costs and improving resilience for millions in flood-prone regions.

New Climate-Based Metric Sharpens the Search for Habitable Exoplanets

With more than 6,000 exoplanets discovered so far, scientists are racing to determine which of them could support life.

From Sea to Self: Stanford Researchers Trace Microplastics Through Oceans, Wildlife, and Human Health

Microplastics—tiny fragments of plastic smaller than a sesame seed—have become one of the most pervasive pollutants on Earth.

Machine Learning Delivers High-Resolution Earthquake Risk Maps for Tokyo’s Vulnerable Soils

Tokyo, one of the world’s most densely populated megacities, sits atop a seismically active zone where the risk of devastating earthquakes is constant.

Among the most destructive effects is soil liquefaction—a process where intense shaking causes water-saturated soil to lose its strength and behave like liquid. Traditional hazard maps, often based on limited data and low-resolution grids, struggle to capture Tokyo’s complex subsurface conditions. A new study led by Professor Shinya Inazumi of Shibaura Institute of Technology introduces a machine learning–driven framework that dramatically improves the precision of liquefaction hazard maps, offering critical insights for earthquake preparedness and urban resilience.

Muon Technology Opens New Path for 3D Mapping of Underground Archaeological Sites

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has demonstrated the feasibility of using cosmic-ray muon detectors to map hidden underground spaces at archaeological sites.

The innovative method, tested at the City of David in Jerusalem, reveals voids such as tunnels, cisterns, and chambers by analyzing how muons penetrate soil and rock. Published in the Journal of Applied Physics, the study marks a breakthrough in non-invasive subsurface imaging, combining physics, archaeology, and future AI applications.

Ariel, Uranus’ Brightest Moon, May Have Once Hidden an Ocean Over 100 Miles Deep

New research published in Icarus suggests that Ariel, one of Uranus’ major moons, may once have harbored a vast subsurface ocean over 100 miles (170 kilometers) deep.

This icy world, known for its fractured terrain and contrasting young and ancient geological features, is increasingly emerging as a potential “ocean world.” By modeling tidal stresses and orbital eccentricity, scientists have reconstructed how Ariel’s dramatic surface features may have formed — and what they reveal about its hidden past.

Colorado’s Wolves Expand Westward as New Map Tracks Their Movements

A new map from Colorado Parks and Wildlife shows wolves wandering farther west toward the Utah border during September, although most of their activity remains centered in the state’s mountainous regions.

The data, collected between August 26 and September 23, reflects shifting patterns in wolf behavior as Colorado continues its voter-mandated reintroduction program.

NISAR’s First Radar Images Capture Maine’s Coast and North Dakota’s Farmlands in Striking Detail

NASA has released the first radar images from its newly launched Earth-mapping satellite, NISAR.

The pictures showcase the rugged Maine coastline and farmlands of North Dakota, revealing features in extraordinary detail. A $1.3 billion joint mission with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), NISAR is designed to survey nearly all of Earth’s land and ice repeatedly, offering transformative insights for climate science, disaster forecasting, and environmental monitoring.

Hawai‘i Unveils First Crop Maps to Strengthen Food Security and Disaster Response

Ten key theses in English