New research reveals that heavy precipitation sourced from the Atlantic ocean, are the primary drivers of present-day lake filling in the northwestern Sahara. The study finds that only the most intense and prolonged precipitation events trigger lake-filling episodes, challenging long-standing assumptions about past climate conditions in the region. These findings suggest that projections of enhanced rainfall intensity and frequency in the Sahara could potentially reshape water availability in the desert.

A new study challenges traditional views on arachnid evolution, suggesting that the transition from water to land occurred multiple times rather than in a single event. The research also highlights the role of whole-genome duplication in shaping key traits in spiders and scorpions, such as silk production and venom synthesis. These findings offer new insights into chelicerate phylogeny and provide a foundation for future genetic and evolutionary studies.