The Professor Molchanov belongs to the so-called “Akademik Shuleykin class” of small research vessels. It was specifically designed to operate in cold waters and near-ice regions, making it particularly suitable for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.After an interruption of almost three decade
This is what the new Indian research vessel is expected to look like in the future — modern technology and innovative equipment are set to establish new standards for maritime research. (Photo: NCPOR)On April 8, 2026, a major milestone was reached in the construction of a new Indian ocean research v
A new study shows that nitrogen fixation occurs across Arctic waters, including under sea ice, contributing to marine productivity. Arctic sea ice (Photo: Léa Zinsli)The Arctic Ocean has long been seen as a nutrient-poor environment, where a lack of nitrogen limits the growth of microscopic algae th
A traditional dish from Greenland that captures the flavors of the North. Tender reindeer meat is combined with fresh berries and herbs to create a unique explosion of flavors. The hearty wildness of the meat is balanced by the sweet freshness of the berries, while the herbs add an earthy note. This
In the Arctic, humans and sled dogs form a cooperative system that combines mobility, sensory awareness, and shared learning to adapt to extreme conditions. Sled dog in Svalbard (Photo: Léa Zinsli)For millennia, survival in the Arctic has depended on close cooperation between humans and dogs. Rather
The Greenland shark, with an estimated lifespan of up to 500 years, is the longest-living known vertebrate on Earth. Greenland sharks live in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and the Arctic, for example around Greenland, Iceland, and Canada. They usually inhabit great depths, often several hund
Antarctic Circumpolar Current in its early stages (Photo: AWI / Hanna Knahl, Patrick Scholz)The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the strongest ocean current on Earth, transporting more than a hundred times the total volume of water carried by all rivers combined. It circles Antarctica uninterrupted
Due to the influence of tides and mechanical breakdown, plastic in water is transformed into microplastics. These are tiny plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm (up to 5000 micrometers). (Photo: Unsplash)While the world powers compete for control of the Arctic, a new and unexpected con
In 1963, Ingrid Pedersen crossed the North Pole in a small aircraft, becoming the first woman to do so on a flight from Alaska to Norway. Ingrid Pedersen visiting Ny-Ålesund in 1970 (Photo: Tor Killie, Norsk Polarinstitutt)In July 1963, Ingrid Pedersen became the first woman to fly over the North Po
The St. Kliment Ohridski Station is a central pillar of Bulgaria’s Antarctic strategy: it strengthens the country’s international research presence while also serving as a training site for young scientists in the natural and geosciences. (Photo: BAI)Bulgaria began its Antarctic activities as early
Researchers gained rare insights into narwhals by joining an Inuit hunt, revealing new details about their behavior and biology. Narwhals in Arctic waters. (Photo: Kristin Laidre, NOAA)Narwhals are among the Arctic’s most distinctive and mysterious whales. Best known for their long spiral tusk, an e
The Jakobshavn Glacier near Ilulissat in West Greenland is one of the fastest glaciers in the world and a major source of icebergs. The region is among those experiencing particularly intense and rapid ice loss. (Photo: Rosamaria Kubny)New research findings show that the bed beneath the Greenland Ic
This was their final look toward the bright horizon as they bid farewell to their faithful companion in the sky with the words: “Until we meet again, Sun.” (Photo: Tomohiro Yahagi, JARE67)A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) transports warm, salty surface water from the tropics into the North Atlantic, where it cools, sinks, and flows back southward as cold deep water.A recent scientific study focuses on a key element of the global climate system: the Atlantic Merid
Changing moisture conditions in the Arctic may influence parasite exposure in Svalbard reindeer by affecting where infective larvae are found. Svalbard reindeer grazing on tundra vegetation (Photo: Léa Zinsli)New research suggests that changing moisture conditions in the Arctic could influence how p
Emily, Lady Shackleton, was born on May 15, 1868, in Sydenham, Kent. Emily Mary Dorman, later Lady Shackleton, was born into a large, wealthy family. She was the youngest of six children, with four brothers and one sister. Emily died on June 9, 1936, at the age of 68 in Coldwaltham, West Sussex.Of a
Scientists in Svalbard have shown that seawater can reveal which animals live in the Arctic, offering a new way to track how climate change is reshaping polar ecosystems. Researchers during fieldwork in Svalbard (Photo: Léa Zinsli)The Arctic is warming faster than the global average, and scientists
Warming temperatures in the Arctic may be releasing long-stored pollutants, with Svalbard reindeer showing rising levels of persistent chemicals. A Svalbard reindeer digging through snow to find food (Photo: Léa Zinsli)New research indicates that climate change may be altering how pollutants move th
An unusual career path: Samuel Silva went from chef to English teacher, returned to the kitchen, and eventually found his way to Antarctica. (Photo: INACH)Icy winds, endless expanses of snow, and temperatures far below freezing, Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Yet in the
Researchers have developed a genetically modified “woolly mouse.” According to Colossal Biosciences, it represents an important intermediate step toward the possible revival of the woolly mammoth.A genetically engineered mouse with strikingly dense, woolly fur is currently attracting attention in th
The Madrid Protocol functions as a long-term spatial ordering device. This environmental agreement protects Antarctic space in a hierarchical manner while simultaneously defining the conditions for its governance and management. In doing so, it reveals a blurred boundary between environmental conser
Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns. Krill fishery and dependent wildlife in the Southern Ocean (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)Antarctic krill supports not only a unique marine ecosystem but also
Matambre a la Pizza is a delicious Argentine dish that combines the best elements of grilled meat and pizza. The tender, juicy beef is topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, melted cheese, and fresh herbs. Every bite delivers an explosion of flavors, achieved through the perfect balance of savory mea
A polar bear found dead on Svalbard has tested positive for H5N5 avian influenza, the first confirmed case of bird flu in a polar bear in Europe. H5N5 avian influenza virus was detected in brain tissue from the young polar bear found in northern Svalbard (Photo: Ingebjørg H. Nymo, Norwegian Veterina
