Space, Earth's Core and Dinosaurs: The Latest Scientific Discoveries

Space, Earth’s core and dinosaurs: the latest scientific discoveries

Scientists continue to revisit the past — from Mars mission data to ancient ceramic patterns. Here are the most fascinating recent discoveries, explained clearly and concisely.

🪐 Possible signs of life on Mars

Researchers are reanalyzing data from NASA’s Viking mission in 1976. They suggest the landers may have detected organic compounds in Martian soil, though at the time the findings were dismissed as Earth-based contamination.

It was later discovered that Martian soil contains perchlorates — salts that destroy organic matter when heated. This means the instruments may have detected chemical byproducts rather than an absence of life. The new interpretation could influence the objectives of future Mars missions.

🔬 Martian perchlorates: they destroy organics when heated — possibly masking Viking's 1976 detection.

🌍 Vast “oceans” of hydrogen may be hidden in Earth’s core

Simulations of extreme conditions indicate that Earth’s core may contain massive amounts of hydrogen — potentially comparable to dozens of the world’s oceans.

If confirmed, this theory would reshape our understanding of how water formed on our planet. Previously, scientists believed most of Earth’s water was delivered by comets and asteroids. New findings suggest hydrogen may have been present within Earth from its earliest stages.

💧 Paradigm shift: Earth’s water might have come from internal hydrogen, not just comets and asteroids.

🦖 AI helps identify dinosaur tracks

Researchers have developed a neural network capable of analyzing three-toed dinosaur footprints. The system distinguishes between tracks left by carnivorous theropods and herbivorous ornithopods, taking into account foot structure, speed, and ancient ground conditions.

The method achieves an accuracy rate of 80–93%. The technology is now available through a dedicated application, allowing both scientists and enthusiasts to participate in analyzing fossil tracks.

🧠 AI dinosaur track ID: 80–93% accuracy — now in a mobile app for citizen scientists.

🏺 Ancient ceramic patterns may reflect early mathematical thinking

Archaeologists studying pottery from the Halaf culture discovered repeating decorative patterns featuring 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 petals — a clear sequence of powers of two.

Such designs require an understanding of symmetry and dividing a circle into equal parts, suggesting that elements of mathematical thinking may have existed long before the development of writing.

Researchers believe ancient artisans combined aesthetics with numerical logic, creating visually harmonious and intellectually structured compositions.

⚠️ Viking data reinterpretation warns us: past conclusions may need revisiting with new knowledge.

From Mars to Earth’s core, from dinosaur tracks to prehistoric pottery — science keeps rewriting our story.

Sources: NASA, Nature Geoscience, Journal of Archaeological Science · February 2026