A free, daily newsletter for anyone who loves science, inspiration and awe ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
July 03, 2025—Tectonic plates "infect" each other with subduction. Plus, record-breaking nuclear fusion results, and the future of U.S. science research is imperiled. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | The Wendelstein 7-X fusion reactor, as seen on September 18, 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Greifswald, Germany. Stefan Sauer/DPA/AFP via Getty Images | | Scientists have discovered evidence that East Asia's "Ring of Fire" was caused by an ancient subduction zone "infecting" another. They unexpectedly found a specific signature of isotopes in ocean lava rock around the "Ring of Fire." That geochemical fingerprint had been observed before, in the ancient Tethys Ocean and what is now the Indian Ocean of a neighboring tectonic plate. Researchers speculate that when the ancient oceans merged 260 million years ago, the material from the Tethys spread eastward like an "infection" from one subduction zone to another, triggering the neighboring Pacific plate to descend.Why this is interesting: Although the mechanism of this subduction spread remains a mystery, the new finding provides a rare ancient example of subduction "infection," a previously difficult-to-prove hypothesis. University of Lisbon geologist João Duarte, who was not involved in the research, speculates that other regions of Earth, such as the Iberian Peninsula and the Caribbean are undergoing the initial stages of this process right now.
What the experts say: "In another 100 million years a new Atlantic 'Ring of Fire' may form—just as it once did in the Pacific," says Duarte. But this new finding "is not just speculation," according to him. "This study builds an argument based on the geological record." —Andrea Tamayo, newsletter intern
| | Ripley Cleghorn; Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (data) | | | | |
Every Friday (or pre-holiday Thursday) in summer we'll recommend a great science read. Tell us what you're reading or if you try any of the books we suggest! | | Hello, Cruel World! Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times  The world seems to have gotten meaner, or just harder to raise kids in. Ensuring they're ready to combat escalating climate change, growing political turmoil, and dangerous online misinformation hasn't made things any easier. Thankfully, parents can turn to science-backed strategies to help prepare their kids for a complicated future. In her new book, Hello, Cruel World! science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer, talked to experts for evidence-backed tips for helping young people cope with challenges, connect to others, and cultivate strong characters. To help children develop savvy news judgment, nearly "every media literacy expert" recommended this one approach: Ask kids open-ended questions about the media they watch, such as, "What do you like about this show?" or for the bigger kids, more complex questions like "Who might benefit from this? Who might be harmed by it?" And how should parents respond when kids actually answer these big questions? Drop everything and just listen, even when you disagree, says Wenner Moyer. —Brianne Kane | | | | |
Conservation biologist Cesária Huó photographed a colony of fruit-eating bats (Eidolon helvum) as part of her work recording bat vocalizations in Mozambique. "As we learn about the different types of vocalization, we can understand the phases of a bat's life better and perhaps be able to conserve species with fewer interventions," she says. Nature | 3 min read | | - In the face of climate change, defending our nation is becoming more challenging, writes Sherri Goodman, secretary general of the International Military Council on Climate and Security. Rising sea levels are flooding coastal military facilities. Extreme weather events are damaging infrastructure in nations that the U.S. is supposed to protect. Climate events like these pose risks to our national security, Goodman says. In 2007, she described climate change as a "threat multiplier," meaning that climate events amplify other security risks, like terrorism. The military is trying to stay ahead of a changing world by climate-proofing their bases and training troops to work in higher temperatures. "The defense sector is changing the way it uses energy—not only, or even primarily, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases—but to improve military effectiveness," she says. | 4 min read
| | Nuclear fusion technology could transform human energy consumption. Fusion, the merging of two atomic nuclei, has the potential to produce energy with near-zero carbon emissions. The fusion process would be relatively clean and primarily fueled by seawater. It sounds too good to be true because it's not yet true; every few years experts say that nuclear fusion is "30 years" away, no matter how much time has passed. If physicists do ever crack (or merge) this nuclear nut, it will be transformative. | | Today in Science will return after the long weekend. As always, send comments, questions and feedback to: newsletters@sciam.com. Happy 4th of July! —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor
With contributions by Andrea Tamayo | | | | |
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