Margherita Bassi, Author at Gizmodo

A Monumental Storm Dropped 16 Billion Tons of Snow on Greenland, Slowing Melt of Ice Sheet

Climate scientists thought stronger atmospheric rivers would accelerate Greenland's ice loss—but it might actually be slowing it down.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 7, 2025

EartherConservation

Plastic Triggered a New Geological Epoch—and the Evidence May Be in Bird Nests

Researchers reconstructed the history of an unusual 30-year-old bird nest based on the expiration dates printed on plastic waste in the structure.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 6, 2025

EartherEarth Science

The Sun Might Be Influencing Earthquakes, Scientists Say

Computer models that factor in the Sun's impact on Earth's surface temperatures are providing more accurate simulations of past earthquakes.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 5, 2025

ScienceHealth

Sleep Patterns in Comatose Patients May Predict Their Chances of Waking Up

New research suggests certain sleep patterns can help predict whether comatose patients will regain consciousness.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 4, 2025

ScienceHuman History

Rare Handwritten Copy of Famous Shakespeare Sonnet Found in Oxford Library

The recently discovered copy of Sonnet 116 "reads as a political love song" during England's Civil Wars, according to the professor who found it.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 3, 2025

ScienceSpace & Spaceflight

Billions of Years Ago, Mars Featured Beaches Fit for a Vacation, Astronomers Say

Researchers identified underground sedimentary layers on Mars similar to coastal formations on Earth.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 2, 2025

SciencePhysics & Chemistry

Your Daily Tea Routine Is Protecting You From Heavy Metals, Study Finds

The longer tea steeps, the more contaminants it filters out of the water—but the tea bag matters.

By Margherita Bassi Published March 1, 2025

ScienceHuman History

Severed Heads in Iron Age Iberia Weren’t Just War Trophies, New Research Suggests

Did the decapitated heads belong to venerated community members or defeated enemies?

By Margherita Bassi Published March 1, 2025

SciencePhysics & Chemistry

Scientists Develop a Device That Lets You Taste Video Games

e-Taste sits on your lower teeth and delivers flavors directly into your mouth in response to remote stimuli.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 28, 2025

ScienceHuman History

These Prehistoric Drag Marks Might Be the Earliest Evidence of Human Transport

Apparent 23,000-year-old tracks may have been left by Paleoindians pulling wooden vehicles carrying resources—and possibly even children.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 28, 2025

ScienceHealth

This Plant-Based Compound Could Be a Powerful New Weapon Against Deadly Brain Cancer

Lab mice with glioblastoma lived longer with a new combination treatment than with radiation alone—and some even achieved long-term tumor control.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 28, 2025

ScienceBiology

Something Bad Happened to Neanderthals 110,000 Years Ago—and It May Have Sealed Their Fate

A recent study compared features of Neanderthals' inner ears across space and time to extrapolate what happened to them tens of thousands of years ago.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 28, 2025

ScienceHuman History

Early Humans Returned to the Rainforests Far Earlier Than Previously Thought

A new study challenges the notion that anatomically modern humans began inhabiting rainforest habitats just 70,000 years ago.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 26, 2025

ScienceHuman History

Early Seafarers Ruled the Oceans With Sophisticated Boats 40,000 Years Ago, Study Suggests

With no direct archaeological evidence of prehistoric boats, researchers instead analyzed tools and the remains of fish, leading to a surprising conclusion.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 26, 2025

ScienceBiology

New Study Backs Theory That Wolves Traded the Wild for Table Scraps—and Became Dogs

A popular theory suggests wolves domesticated themselves for human food scraps—and new simulations suggests it's paw-sible.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 25, 2025

SciencePhysics & Chemistry

New Technique Turns Ordinary Rocks Into Carbon-Capturing Machines

The method speeds up CO2 absorption—potentially helping the fight against climate change.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 23, 2025

ScienceSpace & Spaceflight

First 3D Map of an Exoplanet’s Atmosphere Reveals Bizarre Weather

Meet Tylos: a gas giant 900 light years away and with a climate never seen before on any planet known to scientists.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 23, 2025

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ScienceHealth

Do You Always Remember Your Dreams? Researchers May Know Why

Factors such as age, sleeping patterns, and a tendency to daydream might impact your ability to remember dreams in the morning, according to research.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 22, 2025

Science

India’s ‘Human Calculator Kid’ Shatters 6 World Records in a Single Day

One of Aaryan Shukla's world records is for mentally adding 100 four-digit numbers in 30.9 seconds.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 21, 2025

ScienceHuman History

Metal Detectorist Discovers Potential 2,000-Year-Old Divination Spoon

The artifact hints to ancient rituals that may have taken place on the Isle of Man.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 20, 2025