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Researchers have developed an AI-powered robot that can harvest tomatoes more efficiently by deciding the best way to pick each fruit. The robot not only identifies tomatoes but also determines the easiest way to harvest them. This comes as farm labour shortages are pushing the agriculture sector towards greater use of automation, especially in harvesting. Tomatoes are difficult for machines to handle because they grow in clusters. A robot must carefully pick ripe ones without damaging unripe fruits nearby, which requires accuracy and smart decision-making. To address this, Assistant Professor Takuya Fujinaga of Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Engineering created a system that helps robots judge how easy a tomato is to pick before attempting to harvest it. The system uses image recognition and data analysis to select the best angle for picking. It examines factors such as the position of the tomato, its stems, and whether it is hidden behind leaves or other parts of the plant. Unlike traditional systems that only detect fruit, this method introduces “harvest-ease estimation,” which measures how likely a robot is to successfully pick a tomato. During testing, the robot achieved an 81 percent success rate. In some cases, it adjusted its approach and successfully picked tomatoes from the side after failing to pick them from the front. The study highlights that several factors affect robotic harvesting, including how tomatoes grow, the position of stems, and visual obstacles like leaves. Researchers say this technology could lead to better coordination between humans and robots in farming. Robots may handle easier tasks, while humans focus on more difficult harvesting. The findings were published in the journal ‘Smart Agricultural Technology’. Source: Science daily  

Experts are studying Ukraine’s farmland damaged by the ongoing war with Russia to see if it can be safely used for farming again. Fighting has turned wheatfields into battle zones, with bombs, shells, and burned-out tanks leaving toxic metals like lead, zinc, cadmium, cobalt, copper, and nickel in the soil. These elements can harm human health and contaminate crops. Researchers from the Royal Agricultural University in the UK and Sumy National Agrarian University in Ukraine have tested over 8,000 soil samples. They found that soil near burned military vehicles and crashed drones has the highest contamination, while bomb craters are less polluted. Dr Olena Melnyk, a leading Ukrainian soil scientist, said farmers do not need to stop farming entirely. Only the “hotspot” areas need special care. Scientists are teaching farmers how to block off these areas and clean up the soil so crops can grow safely. Ukraine, known as “Europe’s breadbasket,” was a major exporter of sunflower seeds and grains before the war. Cleaning the soil is crucial to feed Ukrainians and maintain its role in global food supply. Dr Melnyk said, “Our land can continue to grow food for our people and feed the rest of the world too.”   With inputs from BBC

Paleoanthropologists are using fossil evidence and biomechanical modelling to recreate what the earliest human languages may have sounded like, offering insights into how our ancestors communicated over millions of years. Human language is unique in its ability to convey abstract ideas, but its origins remain debated. Some researchers suggest language emerged suddenly with the evolution of symbolic thought, while others argue it developed gradually over millions of years alongside changes in the vocal tract, brain, and spinal cord. Scientists study physical evidence such as cave art, hand-crafted tools, and skull structures to infer cognitive and speech capabilities. James Cole, an archaeologist at Brighton University, notes that early tools like the hand axe indicate abstract thought, a prerequisite for language. Using skeletal imprints and biomechanical models, Amélie Vialet of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris has analysed how ancient humans’ tongues, lungs, and larynx functioned to produce sounds. Her work, in collaboration with Radio France, attempts to “bring the voices back from the dead.” Key findings include: ·         3.2 million years ago – Australopithecus afarensis (“Lucy”): Likely vocalised with a limited set of sounds driven by emotion and gestures, without complex syntax. ·         1.6 million years ago – Homo erectus (Turkana Boy): Able to produce a wider range of sounds and possibly “iconic words” mimicking objects or actions, allowing more intentional communication. ·         50,000 years ago – Neanderthals (Nana): Had the anatomical capacity for speech, including syntax and semantics, with nasal-sounding voices due to larger nasal cavities and lung capacities. ·         30,000 years ago – Early Homo sapiens (Cro-Magnon 1, “The Old Man”): Possessed modern vocal and cognitive capacities, capable of complex speech, abstract thought, and symbolic communication. Research indicates that even early humans shared some fundamental vocal sounds, such as “m” in “mother,” suggesting continuity across millions of years. Today, over 7,000 languages exist globally, though nearly half face extinction. The study of ancient human speech not only sheds light on our evolutionary past but may also help understand how language continues to evolve.   With inputs from BBC

Scientists have warned that a newly identified tree species in Australia, nicknamed the “zombie tree,” could disappear within a generation if urgent action is not taken. Researchers say the tree, Rhodamnia zombi, is still alive in some places but cannot grow or reproduce normally because of a fungal disease known as myrtle rust. Professor Rod Fensham, a botanist at the University of Queensland, said the species was first assessed in 2020 before it even had an official name. Since then, about 10 percent of the trees have died, and the remaining ones are unable to produce flowers or fruit due to the disease. Rhodamnia zombi is a small to medium-sized rainforest tree with large dark green leaves, shaggy bark and fuzzy white flowers. It grows in the Burnett region of Queensland. According to researchers, the bright yellow fungal pathogen repeatedly attacks and destroys the tree’s young shoots. As a result, infected trees cannot grow or reproduce properly and eventually die. Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia in 2010 and has since threatened many plant species. Because of this risk, Rhodamnia zombi has been placed on a special list of plants considered potentially critically endangered.Fensham said the 17 species on this “Category X” list could disappear within a generation without intervention, as none appear to have resistance to the disease. However, scientists remain hopeful. Fensham said related species in the Rhodamnia group have shown some resistance to myrtle rust, raising hopes that future generations may survive. Researchers are collecting healthy cuttings from the wild and growing seedlings at protected sites in Lismore and Townsville. If some trees develop resistance, they may eventually be replanted in forests to restore the species. The findings were published in the journal ‘Austral Ecology’. Source: Science daily

Scientists have developed a new method to explore the deep history of Australia’s landscapes, offering insights into past climate changes, geological activity, and potential mineral deposits. Researchers from Curtin University’s Timescales of Mineral Systems Group, in collaboration with the University of Göttingen and the University of Cologne, studied microscopic zircon crystals collected from ancient beach sands. Zircon is an extremely durable mineral that can survive millions of years of weathering and erosion while preserving clues about its geological past. The team focused on krypton gas trapped inside these zircon grains. This rare gas forms when cosmic rays — high-energy particles from space — strike minerals near the Earth’s surface. By measuring krypton levels, scientists could estimate how long zircon grains stayed near the surface before burial. This “cosmic clock” provides a timeline of how landscapes eroded and changed over millions of years. Lead author Dr. Maximilian Dröllner said the method allows study of landscapes far older than previously possible. “Our planet’s history shows climate and tectonic forces shape landscapes over very long timescales. This research helps us understand the effects of sea-level changes and deep Earth movements,” he said. The study found that when regions remain tectonically stable with high sea levels, erosion slows, and sediments can be reworked repeatedly for millions of years. Professor Chris Kirkland, a co-author, said the findings are important for land management and planning. Associate Professor Milo Barham highlighted the implications for Australia’s mineral resources, noting that long-term sediment storage allows durable minerals to concentrate, helping explain the country’s rich mineral sand deposits. The research, published in PNAS, offers a fresh perspective on landscape evolution and resource formation, providing scientists with a tool to better understand both past and future environmental changes. Source: Science Daily

Scientists have developed a faster way to create highly detailed 3D models of ants by combining advanced X-ray imaging, robotics and artificial intelligence, allowing researchers to digitally reconstruct hundreds of species in a fraction of the usual time. The study, published on March 5 in the journal Nature Methods, was led by researchers including Evan Economo of the University of Maryland and Thomas van de Kamp from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. For more than a decade, Economo’s laboratory has relied on micro-CT scanners to examine insect morphology, the study of their physical structures. While the technology produces extremely detailed 3D images, scanning a single specimen can take up to 10 hours. To overcome this limitation, the research team introduced a high-throughput system that integrates a synchrotron particle accelerator, X-ray imaging, robotics and AI. The approach enabled scientists to rapidly scan thousands of ant specimens and transform the data into interactive 3D models. The project, known as Antscan, produced digital reconstructions of about 800 ant species. According to the researchers, completing such a project with conventional CT scanners would have taken roughly six years of continuous work. Instead, using facilities at KIT, the team scanned about 2,000 specimens in just one week. Researchers collected ethanol-preserved ants from museums, partner institutions and specialists worldwide. The specimens were then transported to KIT, where a powerful synchrotron beam generated intense X-rays capable of rapidly imaging multiple samples. Severed fins suggest killer whales may hunt their own species, study says A robotic system handled the specimens during scanning, rotating each one and replacing it with another every 30 seconds. The process produced stacks of 2D images that were later combined into detailed 3D reconstructions. However, many of the scanned ants initially appeared in distorted positions. To correct this, computer science students helped develop AI tools that automatically adjust the posture of the insects, creating lifelike models similar to how ants appear in nature. The resulting models reveal internal structures such as muscles, nervous systems, digestive organs and stingers at micrometer-level resolution. Scientists say the digital ants can also be animated or placed in virtual reality environments for research, education or even visual media production. The Antscan database has already supported new scientific research. In a separate study published in Science Advances in December 2025, researchers used the data to explore how ant colonies balance worker size and physical strength. By examining more than 500 species, the team found that colonies investing less in thick exoskeleton armor often support larger numbers of workers. The findings suggest that lower investment in protective cuticle may allow colonies to grow larger and diversify more successfully. Scientists say the detailed 3D models make it possible to precisely measure structures such as cuticle volume, something that was previously difficult to calculate. Researchers believe the growing Antscan archive could eventually serve as a digital library of biodiversity. The detailed scans may also help train machine-learning systems to automatically identify ants during field studies. The team plans to expand the database by scanning more specimens and applying similar AI-based methods to other biological datasets, potentially opening new opportunities for studying the diversity of life on Earth.  #From Science Daily

Scientists have found possible evidence suggesting that some killer whales may hunt and eat their own species in waters near Russia. The discovery comes after two severed fins of killer whales were found on a remote Russian island. According to a recent study, both fins carried clear tooth marks from other killer whales, raising concerns that some orcas may be attacking members of their own species. Dr. Olga Filatova, an associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark, said she first saw photographs of the fins sent by her long-time collaborator Sergey Fomin. She said the discovery was unexpected. “When he found the first one, it was very surprising,” Filatova told BBC Science Focus, adding that scientists never expected to witness such behaviour in their lifetime. Genetic tests showed the fins belonged to resident killer whales, a population that mainly eats fish and lives in close family groups spanning several generations. Researchers believe the likely attackers were transient killer whales, another group that lives in the same waters but hunts marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and even other whales. Scientifically, the incident could be considered cannibalism because all killer whales belong to a single species, ‘Orcinus orca’. However, Filatova noted that resident and transient killer whales rarely mix, do not interbreed and may not even recognise each other as the same type of animal. Researchers believe the attacks may have occurred during large gatherings when many resident whale families meet for breeding. During these events, young whales can become separated from their family groups, making them easier targets for mammal-hunting orcas. Both fins belonged to young whales. Scientists also noted that predators often remove fins when hunting to reach the flesh underneath. While the findings are based on only two fins, researchers say the evidence could help explain why resident killer whales maintain such strong family bonds, possibly as protection against predators from other killer whale groups.

The Shenzhou-21 crew members aboard China's Tiangong space station have made significant strides in terms of space medical experiments and physical science research over the past week, while also maintaining the station's habitable environment, according to the China Manned Space Agency. In the field of space medicine, the crew consisting of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang focused on understanding the psychological and physiological effects of long-duration spaceflight. They used laptops to complete tests on "trust and coordination mechanisms" and "human-machine trust," which are crucial for designing future spacecraft interfaces and ensuring efficient teamwork between astronauts and automated systems, China Media Group reported on Sunday night. A key advancement involved the use of the space Raman spectrometer, a device that identifies molecular compositions by shining a laser on a sample. The astronauts used this tool to analyze metabolic components in urine samples. The data collected will be used to refine medical standards for monitoring astronaut health in orbit. To explore how the brain perceives the physical world without gravity, they also conducted "microgravity intuitive physics behavior" experiments. Leveraging electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment, which records electrical activity along the scalp, the crew gathered data for "meta-cognitive monitoring" and "group brain cognitive-emotion analysis" studies, helping scientists on Earth understand how the absence of gravity alters brain function and group dynamics, the report noted. In the microgravity physical science domain, the team maintained experiment racks, replacing sampling covers in the combustion science rack and swapping samples in the fluid physics rack. To safeguard their own health, the astronauts underwent medical checks including intraocular pressure tests, fundus exams and cardiopulmonary assessments. Notably, they also utilized a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) four-diagnosis device, an instrument that mimics the traditional TCM methods of inspection, listening, inquiry and pulse-taking, seeking to provide a comprehensive health assessment in microgravity, the video report revealed. The Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 31, 2025. The Shenzhou-21 crew completed their mission's first series of extravehicular activities on Dec. 9.

One of the world’s oldest icebergs, known as A23a, is in its final weeks after an extraordinary 40-year journey that has fascinated scientists. Once the largest iceberg on Earth, A23a covered more than twice the area of Greater London. Over the past year, it has melted, fractured, and broken apart, leaving only fragments that are now slowly disappearing in warmer waters far from Antarctica. Scientists have closely monitored A23a to understand how Antarctic ice may respond to climate change. “It’s been an extraordinary journey, but it is on its last legs now,” said Prof. Mike Meredith of the British Antarctic Survey. A23a broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, the same year as the Chernobyl disaster and Whitney Houston’s first Grammy. Initially about 4,000 sq km (1,540 sq miles), it stayed anchored in the Weddell Sea for over three decades before moving again in 2020. Today, it is considered the oldest iceberg tracked by satellites. Despite its longevity, A23a began shrinking rapidly in 2025. By mid-year, it lost its title as the world’s largest iceberg. Mechanical forces in the South Atlantic, combined with warming waters, caused large chunks to break off, forming new icebergs named A23g, A23h, and A23i. By late December, meltwater collected on its surface, accelerating its breakup. Scientists described this process as “hydrofracturing,” where water seeps into cracks, widening them and triggering calving events. Although iceberg melting is natural, A23a’s disintegration provides clues about the stability of Antarctic ice shelves, which play a key role in controlling sea-level rise. Icebergs act as “travelling natural laboratories,” helping scientists predict how ice shelves may respond to warming conditions. In its final stretch, A23a has traveled over 700 km (435 miles) northeast in the South Atlantic, exposed to surface waters nearing 10°C. Satellite images show further fragmentation, suggesting the iceberg may soon completely vanish. By March 5, its area had shrunk to roughly 180 sq km (70 sq miles). Source: BBC

Scientists have found a way to examine Charles Darwin’s original specimens from his HMS Beagle voyage (1831–1836) without opening the nearly 200-year-old jars that preserve them. The study focused on 46 historic specimens at London’s Natural History Museum, including mammals, reptiles, fish, jellyfish, and shrimp collected by Darwin and other early naturalists. Researchers found that preservation methods varied by organism and time period. While mammals and reptiles were often treated with formalin before storage in ethanol, invertebrates were kept in a mix of fluids, including formalin, buffered solutions, or glycerol-based liquids. Using a portable laser spectroscopy technique called Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS), scientists were able to identify the preservation fluids in about 80% of the specimens, and partially in another 15%. SORS directs laser light through the jar walls, detecting chemical signatures without exposing the specimens. The method also helped identify whether containers were made of glass or plastic, offering insight into historical storage practices. Dr. Sara Mosca of STFC’s Central Laser Facility said the technique allows museums to monitor and protect valuable specimens without risking contamination or damage. Wren Montgomery, a research technician at the Natural History Museum, added that this approach helps preserve collections for future research, reflecting the Museum’s commitment to advancing natural history studies. Globally, museums hold over 100 million specimens preserved in liquids. Knowing the chemical makeup of preservation fluids is vital to prevent degradation and safeguard specimens. The new method offers curators a safer, non-invasive tool to track collection health and ensure long-term preservation. The research, a collaboration between the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Natural History Museum, and Agilent Technologies, was published in *ACS Omega* and highlighted as the ACS Editors’ Choice on January 13, 2026. #From Science Daily