Extreme heat in Earth's history could explain why flowers dominate the planet, according to a study.

A study published in Nature Plants by researchers from Australia and Austria reveals that two distinct periods of extreme heat over the last 120 million years significantly influenced the evolution of terrestrial flora. These climatic events are identified as key factors in the rise of flowering plants, potentially explaining their current dominance across the planet.

In an unrelated development, the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson reported a 45.9% decline in net profit for the first nine months of 2026. The company attributed this financial downturn, which resulted in a net profit of 10.74 billion Swedish crowns, primarily to costs associated with ongoing corporate restructuring.