Archaeologists uncovered the remains of six historic shipwrecks in Varberg, Sweden, during investigations associated with the construction of a railway tunnel. These vessels, dating from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, were located along the town’s original shoreline and harbour area, providing new insights into centuries of maritime activity.

Top banner image: Sebastián Losada, CC BY-SA 2.0

The operation, conducted in October 2025 under the international initiative Operation Thunder, began when inspectors in Anchorage, Alaska, uncovered a suspicious shipment of shark fins. This discovery led to a broader investigation, revealing a trafficking route that extended through Anchorage, Alaska; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Ohio. The shipments had originated in Mexico and were destined for Hong Kong. 

A growing body of research, including a recent study, points to an unexpected vulnerability: Some of the ocean’s fastest and most capable predators may be at risk of overheating as the seas warm.

Built for speed

Unlike most fish, species such as the great white shark, basking shark and Atlantic bluefin tuna are mesothermic. That means that their bodies run warmer than the surrounding water, due to specialised adaptations that trap metabolic heat.

The proposed sinking of the SS United States has generated significant debate, with campaigners asserting that the ship constitutes a unique element of maritime heritage that warrants preservation.

The vessel, formerly the fastest transatlantic liner ever constructed, has been the focus of redevelopment initiatives for several years. Recently, proposals have surfaced to deliberately sink the ship to establish an artificial reef and diving attraction.

The discovery of a 2,000-year-old shipwreck in the depths of Lake Neuchâtel offers new perspectives on inland water transport during the Roman period. The vessel, located in deep freshwater, has remained largely intact, keeping both cargo and structural elements.

Recovered artefacts include wooden components, metal fittings, and items potentially related to transport or ceremonial functions, such as parts associated with a Roman chariot. The preservation of these materials is rare and provides important evidence of regional craftsmanship and supply practices.

Easy to overlook at first glance, the mantis shrimp flickers in and out of view, its body painted in iridescent greens, blues and reds. But behind those colours lies something far stranger. It does not see the world as we do. It sees a world we cannot even imagine.

Independent eyes 

Each of the mantis shrimp’s eyes sits on a stalk, moving independently. One eye can look forward, while the other scans behind. Each eye alone can judge depth, something humans need two eyes to achieve. 

Nudibranchs—colourful sea slugs often admired by divers—may hold important clues to how nervous systems recover from damage. A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that some species can regenerate neural connections after injury, shedding light on fundamental biological processes.

Researchers studied how nudibranchs respond to damage to their nervous systems. Findings suggest that nudibranchs restore disrupted neural pathways and regain function, demonstrating plasticity in simple organisms.