Daily briefing: What scientists can learn from a solar eclipse

On August 12th, scientists will have a brief window to study the Sun's outer layer, the corona, during a total solar eclipse. This celestial event offers researchers a unique opportunity to probe questions about the corona's extreme temperature compared to the Sun's surface below it and the source of the Sun's magnetic energy. A more comprehensive understanding of the corona could potentially enhance predictions of space weather, which can impact satellites and electrical grids on Earth.

Interestingly, people from diverse cultural backgrounds—Greek, Dutch, and Chinese—share similar "tickle hotspots," such as the armpits and soles of the feet. A study investigating this phenomenon, known as gargalesis, revealed that this type of tickling, which involves strong, repetitive pressure, is distinctly unique and not merely a shared experience across cultures.

Meanwhile, a startup called QED Science has developed a free AI tool designed to assess the originality and validity of life-sciences research. The tool has been employed to identify the top 1% of preprints submitted to the preprint server bioRxiv between May 2025 and April 2026. However, this approach has raised concerns among researchers, who question the AI's capability to accurately and transparently judge the quality of scientific work.

Meanwhile, the Amazon rainforest is grappling with the consequences of the 2023-2024 El Niño event, which has exacerbated wildfires and led to predictions of a potentially record-breaking El Niño event in the near future. If this occurs, combined with the effects of climate change, the rainforest could transition from dense forest to savannah and degraded woodland, releasing vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.

In the realm of AI research, three data scientists advocate for the adoption of open-weight models that can run on personal computers. These models are more sustainable than their cloud-based counterparts, which necessitate substantial energy and water resources. Educators are encouraged to teach students about the advantages and applications of local AI models to promote more responsible and efficient research practices.

The academic community has come under scrutiny following the identification of several papers published in 2024 by publisher MDPI as victims of 'review mills.' These mills fabricate reviewer reports, potentially for the sake of increasing citation rates for their colleagues' work. Biophysicist Michael Börsch, whose paper was flagged, expressed concern over the tarnished reputation of his team's research, particularly impacting the prospects of his PhD student.

Finally, marine biologist Célia Macamo and her team in Mozambique are dedicated to preserving mangrove forests threatened by urban expansion. By assessing the carbon stored in these critical ecosystems, Macamo's work facilitates the generation of carbon credits for participating landowners. This incentivizes the protection of mangroves, thereby safeguarding vital habitats from conversion for development or aquaculture activities.