Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Scientists Decode the ‘Boring Billion’: The Calm Before Life’s Explosion
Scientists from the University of Sydney and the University of Adelaide have
uncovered how the breakup of an ancient supercontinent about 1.5 billion years ago reshaped Earth's surface and set the stage for the rise of complex life. The breakup of Earth’s ancient supercontinent Nuna cooled the planet, oxygenated the seas, and fostered the emergence of complex life. This new research redefines a supposedly “boring” era as one of hidden planetary change. The research provides a new way to think about how tectonics, climate and life co-evolved through deep time.
No Gym, No Pills: Just This Simple Habit Can Protect Your Heart
New research reveals that walking in longer, uninterrupted bouts of 10–15 minutes significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk by up to two-thirds compared to shorter strolls. Scientists from the University of Sydney and Universidad Europea found that even people who walk less than 8,000 steps daily can see major heart health benefits simply by changing how they walk. Those who took their steps in one or two continuous sessions had lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Even when covering the same total number of steps, longer, uninterrupted walks appear to provide greater benefits for the heart than short, scattered strolls throughout the day.
Twist, Snap, or Swirl? Scientists Finally Solve the Spaghetti Mystery
Scientists found that gluten is key to spaghetti’s strength, acting like a microscopic safety net that prevents disintegration. Advanced imaging revealed how gluten-free pasta collapses more easily unless cooked perfectly. Salt, too, plays a structural role beyond flavor. The findings could help improve gluten-free products for better cooking performance and texture. The amount of salt added to the cooking water also plays a surprisingly important part in keeping pasta firm and intact. Next, the research team plans to expand its work by examining more pasta varieties and production methods. They also aim to simulate digestion to understand how the pasta's molecular structure changes once inside the human stomach.
The Shocking Reason Bananas Might Be Ruining Your Smoothie
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that adding a banana to your smoothie may drastically reduce the absorption of flavanols — powerful compounds linked to heart and brain health. The culprit is polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme abundant in bananas that interferes with flavanol availability. In experiments, banana-based smoothies cut flavanol absorption by 84% compared to berry-based ones. These bioactive compounds are linked to improved heart and brain health and are abundant in foods like apples, pears, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and cocoa (all popular smoothie ingredients). Bananas are still a nutritious fruit, but researchers advised that if you enjoy banana smoothies, it may be best not to mix them with flavanol-heavy foods like berries, grapes, or cocoa.
