Top 20 Science International News

Here are summaries of the top 20 international science news items from today, August 28, 2025, with links to their respective sources:

1. Scientists Recreate Life’s First Step: Linking Amino Acids to RNA Researchers demonstrated how amino acids could spontaneously attach to RNA under early Earth-like conditions using thioesters, providing a long-sought clue to the origins of protein synthesis
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
2. A Tiny Chip May Have Solved One of Clean Energy’s Biggest Problems: Scientists used a nanoparticle “megalibrary” to find a catalyst that matches or exceeds iridium’s performance in hydrogen fuel production, at a fraction of the cost
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
3. Cannabis for Coping? Why It May Trigger Paranoia: New research shows that cannabis users who self-medicate face higher paranoia and consume more THC, with childhood trauma further amplifying the risks
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
4. This Simple Diet Could Help Protect Memory, Even with Alzheimer’s Genes: A Mediterranean-style diet was linked to lower dementia risk, especially in people with high-risk Alzheimer’s genes, showing diet may help offset genetic vulnerability
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
5. Butterfly Nebula Reveals Sparkling Gems, Fiery Dust, and the Ingredients of Life: James Webb has revealed that the Butterfly Nebula hides a complex mix of gemstone-like crystals, fiery dust, and unexpected carbon molecules, which may rewrite how we understand the chemistry
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
6. Why Most Whale Sharks in Indonesia Are Scarred by Humans: Whale sharks in Indonesia are suffering widespread injuries, with a majority scarred by human activity, with bagans and boats as the biggest threats
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
7. Spiders Turn Fireflies Into Glowing Traps: Researchers discovered a clever hunting trick by the sheet web spider Psechrus clavis, which allows captured fireflies to glow in the web, luring other insects
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
8. New Fossils Reveal a Hidden Branch in Human Evolution: Fossils unearthed in Ethiopia are reshaping our view of human evolution, suggesting a tangled, branching tree with multiple species coexisting
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
9. Caltech Breakthrough Makes Quantum Memory Last 30 Times Longer: A team at Caltech has developed a solution for storing quantum information for long periods by converting it into sound waves
   Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
10. These “Plastivore” Caterpillars Can Devour a Plastic Bag in Just 24 Hours: Scientists have discovered that waxworm caterpillars can break down polyethylene plastic, metabolizing plastic into
    Source: www.sciencedaily.com.
11. Ocean water is now corroding shark teeth at alarming rate, study finds: “They’re highly developed weapons built for cutting flesh, not resisting ocean acid"
    Source: www.sciencefocus.com.
12. We may have solved a major part of the puzzle of how life got started: Scientists have recreated a key step in the chemistry of life – offering new clues as to how our genetic code came to be
    Source: www.sciencefocus.com.
13. This diet could lower your chance of cognitive decline by 40%, study claims: A study on data from more than 60,000 older adults found a link between certain dietary patterns and a lower risk of cognitive decline
    Source: www.sciencefocus.com.
14. 97% of autistic adults over 60 are undiagnosed – and it’s massively impacting their health: Their autism was missed during childhood, resulting in an 'overlooked' generation of autistics
    Source: www.sciencefocus.com.
15. This deep-sea worm creates a toxic yellow pigment found in Rembrandt and Cézanne paintings: Paralvinella hessleri is the first known animal to create orpiment, which was used by artists for centuries
    Source: www.nature.com.
16. Beer lovers fall into two flavour camps — which one are you in? Research shows that beer drinkers are split depending on which types of flavour chemicals they prefer
    Source: www.nature.com.
17. "Butterfly Nebula' spreads its wings in dazzling new James Webb telescope image" In a dazzling new photo, the James Webb Space Telescope zooms in on the Butterfly Nebula — the dying gasps of one of the hottest stars in the sky, which could hold clues to Earth's origins
    Source: www.livescience.com.
18. 'A truly unprecedented discovery': 3,000-year-old multicolored mural with fish, stars and gods discovered in Peru" A multicolored mural discovered in Peru is shedding light on pre-Inca coastal artistic traditions
    Source: www.livescience.com.
19. "Formaldehyde-free hair-straightening products may still threaten health, concerning study finds" Formaldehyde-free hair-straightening products have been marketed as a safer option, but they may pose a risk to kidney health, a case series suggests
    Source: www.livescience.com.
20. "Scientists unveil most detailed photo of a solar flare ever taken" Record-breaking images from the world's largest solar telescope, the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, reveal a solar flare in unprecedented detail
    Source: www.livescience.com.