A new study published in the scientific journal Oikos reveals for the first time the critical role polar bears play as carrion providers for Arctic species. Researchers from University of Manitoba and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, alongside researchers from Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the University of Alberta, have estimated that polar bears leave behind approximately 7.6 million kilograms of their prey annually, creating a massive and vital food source for a wide network of arctic scavenger species. 

Researchers are redefining the nutritional value of prey. Studying the dynamics of sea lion predators and their prey, the researchers found that not all prey are the same — even those of similar size and weight of the same species — offering new perspectives for understanding ocean food resources.

Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size, are now found in our air, food, water, and even inside the human body, according to new research led by scientists from China and the United States. The study, published in Carbon Research, urges scientists and policymakers to take immediate steps to understand and address potential health risks linked to widespread plastic pollution.

In a surprising twist to one of biology’s most fundamental processes, a new study published on October 17, 2025, in the open-access journal Carbon Research has revealed that plant roots can actively absorb CO₂ from the soil—and this hidden process is powerfully influenced by light, fertilizer, and atmospheric conditions.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have uncovered the first natural example of granular jamming, a process where loose particles lock into place under pressure, in the skeleton of a soft coral. The discovery explains a long-observed mystery in biology and could inspire new designs for medical devices, robotics and protective gear.