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Life

How polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur

Indigenous peoples of the Arctic traditionally use polar bear fur for its ice-resistant properties, but the science behind the bears鈥� natural antifreeze hasn't been studied until now

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Health

Is recycled plastic in utensils and toys really a big health concern?

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Technology

Does DeepSeek show a way to slash the energy demands of AI?

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The world???s largest iceberg is on a collision course with the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia. These images of the A23a iceberg are taken from an RAF Atlas A400M aircraft as it flew a routine Operation COLDSTARE mission over the South Atlantic. The flight, conducted by 1312 Flight from Mount Pleasant in the Falklands, captured striking aerial images of the iceberg, which has been drifting north from Antarctica and is now approximately 173 miles (280km) from South Georgia. Experts fear it could ground and shatter upon impact, endangering the island's unique wildlife, including colonies of king penguins and millions of elephant and fur seals. South Georgia???s icy shores have faced such threats before. In 2004, the massive iceberg A38 grounded on the island???s continental shelf, blocking access to feeding grounds and leaving countless penguin chicks and seal pups to perish. The iceberg A23a, which originally calved from Antarctica???s Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, became trapped on the seafloor and ensnared in an ocean vortex for decades. It finally broke free in December 2024, embarking on what experts describe as its ???final journey??? into warmer waters north of Antarctica. Satellite imagery reveals the iceberg is steadily shrinking, its towering cliffs???once rising 1,312ft (400m), taller than London???s Shard???are melting and disintegrating. Once covering an area of 3,900 sq km, it has reduced to 3,500 sq km, roughly the size of Cornwall. Large slabs of ice are constantly breaking away, tumbling into the surrounding ocean. A23a could splinter into massive fragments at any moment. These floating cities of ice could linger for years, unpredictably drifting around South Georgia and posing ongoing risks to the island's wildlife. The potential ecological impact is significant, as South Georgia is a haven for wildlife. The island supports some of the world???s most valuable king penguin colonies and is home to millions of fur and elephant seals. By capturing images of A23a, the RAF provides critical data to scientists, sailors, and conservationists worldwide, who are closely monitoring the iceberg's movements. As the iceberg looms closer, experts remain hopeful it may bypass the island. However, preparations are underway to mitigate potential damage to this fragile ecosystem. Where: South Georgia, SEA, United Kingdom When: 22 Jan 2025 Credit: UK MOD Crown copyright/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**

Environment

A giant iceberg is headed for the island of South Georgia

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Health

Muscle patch made from stem cells could treat heart failure

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Environment

Antarctic ice sheet may be less vulnerable to collapse than expected

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Technology

Experimental XB-1 aircraft goes supersonic for the first time

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A mouse with two fathers (left) and a control mouse (right) of the same age and sex

Health

Mice born with two fathers – but don’t expect the same for people

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Physics

Twisted light may illuminate how quantum spookiness works

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Environment

Surge in ocean heat is a sign climate change is accelerating

The rate of warming in the oceans has more than quadrupled since 1985, suggesting global warming in general has undergone a marked acceleration

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Technology

Why China’s DeepSeek is threatening to disrupt the AI industry

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Environment

European cities face millions more deaths from extreme temperatures

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Society

What Trump’s first week means for climate, science, health and tech

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Space

Habitable planets could have formed at the dawn of the universe

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