Newsifi - Science News

Trump Administration Pushes Abstinence in Teen Pregnancy Programs

Few minutes ago

New rules don't explicitly exclude teaching about contraception and protected sex, but favor "sexual risk avoidance" and don't require as rigorous evidence of efficacy.

Bees Have a Goldilocks Lawn Mow Schedule

Few minutes ago

Lawns mowed every two weeks hosted more bees than lawns mowed every three weeks. Jason G. Goldman reports. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Emma, Carrie, Vivian: How A Family Became A Test Case For Forced Sterilizations

2 hours ago

The eugenicists were utopians, convinced that they were doing hard but necessary things. And that included making decisions about who gets to have children.

Setting Fires and Restoring an American Landscape

5 hours ago

Where development and fragmentation have disrupted natural cycles, teams run controlled burns every spring to help sustain prairies and other ecosystems that have long been shaped by fire.

The Healing Edge: 'Whole Again': A Vet Maimed by an I.E.D. Receives a Transplanted Penis

5 hours ago

A young soldier whose genitals were destroyed underwent extensive reconstructive surgery that doctors hope to offer to others who were wounded at war.

Frenchman Is First in World to Get 2 Full Face Transplants

6 hours ago

Jerôme Hamon, a bookseller who has a genetic disease, underwent a second transplant after his body rejected the first because he had taken an antibiotic for a cold.

Speaking Science to Power

6 hours ago

A statement released by 317 members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences challenges the widespread dismissal of science and scientific understanding by the current administration. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Swirling liquids work similarly to bitcoin

7 hours ago

The physics involved with stirring a liquid operate the same way as the mathematical functions that secure digital information. This parallel could help in developing even more secure ways of protecting digital information.

Did last ice age affect breastfeeding in Native Americans?

7 hours ago

Biologists have been puzzled by the evolutionary adaptation behind a common tooth trait of northern Asians and Native Americans: shovel-shaped incisors. An analysis of archeological specimens shows that nearly 100 percent of early Native Americans had shoveled…

Precarious Life of Texas Farmworkers Becomes Riskier with Warming

7 hours ago

Increasing heat, drought and mosquito-borne diseases make this work more dangerous -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Q&A: What Lies Beneath Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

8 hours ago

The mysterious, orangish storm has shrunk in diameter in recent decades, but has increased in height and depth.

Trilobites: These Ants Explode, but Their Nests Live to See Another Day

8 hours ago

Scientists described in depth a species of ants in Southeast Asia that fight attackers by rupturing their own abdomens to release a sticky fluid laced with toxins.

Reporter's Notebook: How's the Air in London? 'We Should Be Worried'

9 hours ago

Our reporter visited an artist's "pollution pods" to sample the smog and haze he recreated from some of the world's most contaminated cities.

Found: A new form of DNA in our cells

9 hours ago

In a world first, researchers have identified a new DNA structure -- called the i-motif -- inside cells. A twisted 'knot' of DNA, the i-motif has never before been directly seen inside living cells.

Paint job transforms walls into sensors, interactive surfaces

9 hours ago

Walls are what they are -- big, dull dividers. With a few applications of conductive paint and some electronics, however, walls can become smart infrastructure that sense human touch, and detect things like gestures and when appliances are used. Researchers fo…

'Environmental DNA' used to identify killer whales in Puget Sound

9 hours ago

When endangered killer whales swim through the sheltered waters of Puget Sound, they leave behind traces of 'environmental DNA' that researchers can detect as much as two hours later has found.

Face recognition for galaxies: Artificial intelligence brings new tools to astronomy

10 hours ago

A machine learning method called 'deep learning,' which has been widely used in face recognition and other image- and speech-recognition applications, has shown promise in helping astronomers analyze images of galaxies and understand how they form and evolve. …

'Mind-Reading' Headset Lets You Control a Computer with Your Thoughts … Sort Of

10 hours ago

A new "mind-reading" headset can track the minute movements of your vocal muscles whenever you read or imagine a word.

A Mysterious New Form of DNA Was Just Discovered in Human Cells

11 hours ago

When you think of DNA, odds are, you picture the famous double helix, a ladder-like structure elegantly twisted like a corkscrew. But DNA doesn't always assume this form.

Flint Activist Wins Major Environmental Prize

11 hours ago

LeeAnne Walters demanded action from local officials, confronting them with bottles of discolored water. They dismissed her for months. She meticulously documented lead levels in Flint homes.

Angola satellite inoperative, Russia to build another one

11 hours ago

LUANDA (Reuters) - Russia's space agency said on Monday that Angola's first national telecoms satellite, AngoSat-1, was inoperative and Russia would build another one for launch in 2020.

Her Daughter's Diagnosis Made Her Work as a Scientist Personal

12 hours ago

Soo-Kyung Lee had been studying the FOXG1 gene for years. Her research took on new meaning when she learned that her daughter, Yuna, had a rare defect on that gene.

Astronaut Hall of Fame Adds Space Shuttle Commander and Spacewalker

12 hours ago

Astronauts Scott Altman and Tom Jones are no strangers to seeing their names included among the stars. The two became the 96th and 97th NASA veterans to be inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

Organic solar cells reach record efficiency, benchmark for commercialization

12 hours ago

In an advance that makes a more flexible, inexpensive type of solar cell commercially viable, researchers have demonstrated organic solar cells that can achieve 15 percent efficiency.

Poachers versus Poop

12 hours ago

The key to saving elephants and other species may lie in the DNA contained in their droppings, says conservation biologist Samuel Wasser -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Uranus smells like rotten eggs

12 hours ago

Planetary scientists detected hydrogen sulfide in Uranus' upper clouds - the same compound that gives rotten eggs their terrible smell.

Young galaxies are flat, but old ones are more blobby

12 hours ago

A survey of hundreds of star systems precisely links the shape of a galaxy to the ages of its stars.

The 'End of the World' Is Today. Here's Why We're Still Here.

12 hours ago

Here's the numerical and cosmic gymnastics Meade used to come up with today's apocalypse - one that, of course, will not come to be.

NASA Doesn't Know What Poked These Holes in the Arctic's Sea Ice

12 hours ago

NASA scientists flying over the arctic earlier this month spotted strange shapes out the window, but they aren't sure what caused them.

Who Inherits the British Throne?

12 hours ago

Since days of yore, the royal line of succession to the British throne - like most monarchies - was based on primogeniture.

Uranus Smells Like Rotten Eggs

12 hours ago

The clouds in Uranus' upper atmosphere are composed largely of hydrogen sulfide, the molecule that makes rotten eggs so stinky, a new study suggests.

Climate change intensifies droughts in Europe

12 hours ago

Global warming will exacerbate soil droughts in Europe - droughts will last longer, affect greater areas, and have an impact on more people. If the earth warms by three degrees Celsius, extreme events could become the normal state in the future.

Image of the Day

12 hours ago

An infrared view of the Hubble telescope's 28th anniversary photo reveals a sea of stars that hide behind colorful clouds of gas and dust when viewed in visible-light wavelengths.

Could an Industrial Prehuman Civilization Have Existed on Earth Before Ours?

12 hours ago

A provocative new paper suggests some ways to find out -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Rotten egg gas around planet Uranus

13 hours ago

The planet Uranus has clouds made up of hydrogen sulphide, the gas that gives rotten eggs their unpleasant smell.

Infinitesimal Odds: A Scientist Finds Her Child's Rare Illness Stems From the Gene She Studies

13 hours ago

When it comes to studying the genetics of the brain, Soo-Kyung Lee is a star, yet she was stunned to discover the cause of her daughter's devastating disabilities.

Death Drives the Evolution of Life on 'One Strange Rock'

13 hours ago

Life never would have evolved on Earth without death.

Lemons: Health Benefits & Nutrition Facts

13 hours ago

Lemons are full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants, and they are especially good sources of vitamin C and folate.

Human-like walking mechanics evolved before the genus Homo

14 hours ago

A close examination of 3.6-million-year-old hominin footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania, suggests our ancestors evolved the hallmark trait of extended leg, human-like bipedalism substantially earlier than previously thought.

First genetic evidence of ongoing mating between 2 distinct species of guenon monkeys

14 hours ago

A new study of guenon monkeys in Gombe National Park is the first to provide genetic evidence of ongoing mating between two distinct species. These monkeys have successfully been producing hybrid offspring for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. Prior stud…

For 50 Years, Deep-Water Trawls Likely Caught More Fish Than Anyone Thought

15 hours ago

Using historical data and estimates from deep-sea trawls that drag nets along the ocean floor, researchers estimate that millions of tons of catch have gone unreported in the last 50 years.

Taco Bell Space Station? It's Possible, Experts Say

15 hours ago

Future private space stations may be sponsored by major corporations, which prompted a spirited discussion during a panel on the future of low Earth orbit at the 34th Space Symposium here.

No Way Out? Aliens on 'Super-Earth' Planets May Be Trapped by Gravity

16 hours ago

Any alien civilizations born on "super-Earth" planets may be ground-bound by their home worlds' powerful gravity, a new study suggests.

How a Guy in the Netherlands Spotted the Top Secret X-37B Space Plane

16 hours ago

The spy craft is on its fifth mission, but the U.S. Air Force is mum on what the X-37B is doing right now.

On This Day In Space! April 23, 1962: Ranger 4 Launches on Failed Moon Mission

16 hours ago

On April 23, 1962, NASA launched the Ranger 4 mission to the moon. See how it happened in our On This Day in Space video series here.

The 'End of the World' Is Today. Here's Why We're Still Here.

16 hours ago

Here's the numerical and cosmic gymnastics Meade used to come up with today's apocalypse - one that, of course, will not come to be.

Does Drinking Alcohol Raise the Risk of PMS?

16 hours ago

A new study finds drinking alcohol is linked with an increase risk of PMS. But experts are cautious about the findings.

Informed wisdom trumps rigid rules when it comes to medical evidence

16 hours ago

Narrative reviews of medical evidence offer benefits that the supposedly superior systematic approach can't.

Blue Origin Expects BE-4 Rocket Engine Qualification Tests to Be Done This Year

17 hours ago

The chief executive of Blue Origin says he expects the company's BE-4 engine to complete qualification testing by the end of the year as the company ramps up work on its New Glenn orbital rocket.

Space Industry Expresses Support for Bridenstine's Confirmation as NASA Chief

17 hours ago

NASA's next administrator, Jim Bridenstine, is set to be sworn into office April 23 as the space industry breathes a sigh of relief that his extended confirmation process is finally over.

See Thousands of Asteroids Swirl Around the Sun in This NASA Video

17 hours ago

The inner solar system looks downright crowded in a new video showing the fruits of an asteroid-hunting spacecraft's labor.

Anxiety Relief Without The High? New Studies On CBD, A Cannabis Extract

18 hours ago

An FDA advisory committee last week urged approval of a drug containing cannabidiol to treat a form of epilepsy. Other scientists wonder if CBD might ease anxiety or other disorders, too.

New NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine Officially Sworn In After Long Nomination Fight

18 hours ago

Vice President Mike Pence swore in Jim Bridenstine as the next NASA administrator today (April 23) during a ceremony at the space agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

A Bunch of Rich Guys Want to Watch the Earth at All Times from Space

18 hours ago

A bunch of very big corporations and rich men, including Bill Gates, are hoping to start watching the whole Earth at all times with video cameras in outer space.

What Is Earth's Average Temperature?

19 hours ago

The global average surface temperature in 2017 was estimated to be about 58 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

This Man Had a Key Lodged in His Brain. Here's How He Survived.

19 hours ago

A young man in India survived having a key lodged more than an inch into his skull.

No Joke: Uranus Smells Terrible, Study Says

19 hours ago

The upper cloud tops of Uranus are shot through with hydrogen sulfide, the gas that smells of rotten eggs.

Fierce - and Free! Win a Book of Dinosaur Facts in Our Giveaway Tuesday

20 hours ago

Here's how to win a book that details the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, including facts about Tyrannosaurus rex, which had eyes the size of grapefruits and more than 50 knife-sharp teeth.

Aliens on Super-Earth Planets Could Be Stuck There...Literally

20 hours ago

Any alien civilizations born on "super-Earth" planets may be ground-bound by their home worlds' powerful gravity, a new study suggests.

Doctors Perform World's First Full Penis-and-Scrotum Transplant

20 hours ago

Doctors at Johns Hopkins Medicine performed the world's first complete penis and scrotum transplant, the hospital announced today (April 23).

Space Calendar 2018: Launches, Sky Events & More

21 hours ago

Here's a guide to the major astronomical events of the next year, as well as space launches and milestones for spacecrafts already in travel.

Environment prize goes to Flint water activist

23 hours ago

An activist who helped expose a water crisis in a US town has been awarded a prestigious environment prize.

Climate change: Michael Bloomberg pledges $4.5m for Paris deal

23 hours ago

New York City's ex-mayor pledges $4.5m to help cover the lapsed US contribution to the Paris accord.

The Making of Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight

1 days ago

The backstory to a book that, sadly, is no longer that easy to obtain... -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Star 'DNA' Survey Could Reunite the Sun with Its Long-Lost Siblings

1 days ago

Is the sun due for a cosmic family reunion?

Why I live in a plastic bottle castle

1 days ago

The man building a four-storey castle out of recycled plastic bottles.

DARPA Announces Responsive Launch Prize Competition

1 days ago

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced a prize competition April 18 to demonstrate the ability to rapidly launch small satellites, a competition whose regulatory challenges may tower over its technical ones.

Who Cares If They're Cute? This Zoologist Accepts Animals On Their Own Terms

1 days ago

Zoologist Lucy Cooke says humans aren't doing animals any favors when we moralize their behavior. Her book The Truth About Animals is organized around "fact and not sentimentality."

Hemsby: Clifftop home destroyed erosion spanning 40 years

1 days ago

Erosion of the cliff at Hemsby, Norfolk, has left 18 homes uninhabitable over the past five years.

Here's How We Know the Big Bang Happened

1 days ago

At 13.8 billion years ago, our entire observable universe was the size of a peach and had a temperature of over a trillion degrees.

Celebrate Earth Day with NASA's Terra Tools and Posters

1 days ago

To celebrate Earth Day (April 22) this year, NASA invites everyone to share views of Earth with the world - and to tack up artists' perspectives of our home planet on their walls.

'Exploding ant' species found in South East Asia

1 days ago

The newly discovered canopy-dwelling ants are nicknamed after their bizarre defensive behaviour.

This Woman's Kidney Fell into Her Pelvis Whenever She Stood Up: Here's Why

1 days ago

Generally, you can trust your organs to stay in one place, but that wasn't the case for a young woman in Michigan.

When Teens Cyberbully Themselves

2 days ago

In this latest form of self-harming behavior, adolescents anonymously post mean or derogatory comments about themselves on social media as a way of managing feelings of sadness or self-loathing.

Watch the Sky Fall Before the World 'Ends' on Monday

2 days ago

A stunning meteor shower - and the end of the world - are both expected to show up over the weekend.

The Most Amazing Space Photos This Week!

2 days ago

Here are our picks for the most amazing space photos of the week.

Nasa engineer: Three facts about landing on Mars

2 days ago

A Nasa flight analyst explains three things you need to know about going to Mars.

Zombie Cicadas' Bodies Are Literally Falling Apart

2 days ago

Parasitic fungus manipulates bodies and bedroom behavior of hapless insects -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Dodo's violent death revealed

2 days ago

The famous Oxford Dodo died after being shot in the back of the head, according to new research. Using revolutionary forensic scanning technology and world-class expertise, researchers have discovered surprising evidence that the Oxford Dodo was shot in the ne…

The best and worst space films, according to Nasa

2 days ago

The best and worst space films, according to Nasa

Igor the Siberian tiger gets stem-cell hip treatment in Hungary

2 days ago

SZEGED, Hungary (Reuters) - Igor, a Siberian tiger in a Hungarian zoo, received stem-cell joint treatment on Wednesday which doctors hoped would help heal its hip and allow it to live happily, on less medicine.

Rare brown bear dies in Italy capture operation

2 days ago

The endangered animal died in Italy during an attempt to fit him with a collar to track movements.

Famed Doctor Hans Asperger Helped with Nazi Child Euthanasia, Notes Reveal

2 days ago

Hans Asperger, a pioneer in autism research whose name is used to describe high-functioning people with the disorder, had a previously unknown dark past that included sending children with disabilities to a Nazi regime "euthanasia" program.

How to Stop Abandoning Projects

2 days ago

Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers five ways to stop abandoning projects and finally cross the finish line. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It

2 days ago

In late April, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere will get a view of the Lyrid meteor shower, the dusty trail of a comet with a centuries-long orbit around the sun.

If Singing's Tough, Try Whistling

2 days ago

A new study claims it's easier to accurately whistle a melody than to sing it. Christopher Intagliata reports. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Paleo Profile: Martin's Sea Turtle

2 days ago

This Cretaceous chelonian is close to the origin of the hard-shelled sea turtles that still swim the oceans -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Including Some Activism with Your Earth Day Arts and Crafts

2 days ago

Remembering the scale and impact of the day's origin may inspire kids to expand their Earth Day plans -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

In 200 Years Cows May Be the Biggest Land Mammals on the Planet

3 days ago

Humans may be driving large mammals to extinction -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Malibu Moves To Ban Single-Use Plastic

3 days ago

Whether you think it's time or a waste of time, the city of Malibu decided to ban the use of plastic straws, utensils and stirrers as a means of reducing their harmful effects on the environment.

Trilobites: What a Scientist Learned From Studying the 'Synchronized Swimming of Sea Monkeys'

3 days ago

Tiny crustaceans complete a massive daily vertical migration in the world's oceans. New research suggests their commute may play an important role in the health of the planet.

How Pokemon Inspired A Citizen Science Project To Monitor Tiny Streams

3 days ago

How do we accurately forecast the amount of water that will be available any given year? It's not easy. But some Colorado scientists think they're onto a possible solution - inspired by Pokemon.

The Most Interesting Science News Articles of the Week

3 days ago

Here are the most interesting, amazing and unusual things that happened in the world of science this week. A recap of Live Science's best.

Nonfiction: A Brand-New Version of Our Origin Story

3 days ago

The Harvard geneticist David Reich details his groundbreaking research into ancient DNA in "Who We Are and How We Got Here."

Chemotherapy without Pills or Needles

3 days ago

A promising new class of lung-cancer therapies can simply be inhaled, minimizing the side effects to other, healthy organs -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

National Trust needs to be 'radical'

3 days ago

The new director-general of the National Trust says the charity needs to reach out to people in urban areas.

ExoMars: Getting ready to drive on the Red Planet

3 days ago

Engineers finish assembly of the test model for Europe's ExoMars rover mission.

Cicadas on different schedules can hybridize

3 days ago

A new genetic study suggests that cicadas that emerge every 17 years have swapped genetic material with those that emerge every 13 years.

Heat waves are roasting reefs, but some corals may be resilient

3 days ago

The latest research on coral reefs clarifies the devastation of heat waves and looks at how coral might be able to adapt to warming waters.

Path to a new era of microelectronics

3 days ago

A new microchip technology capable of optically transferring data could solve a severe bottleneck in current devices by speeding data transfer and reducing energy consumption by orders of magnitude, according to a new article.

Antarctic Glaciers Are Helping Drive Their Own Melt

3 days ago

Meltwater is fueling a feedback loop that lets warm seawater eat away at them from below -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Bottlenose dolphins recorded for the first time in Canadian Pacific waters

3 days ago

A large group of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have been spotted in Canadian Pacific waters -- the first confirmed occurrence of the species in this area.

Betting On Artificial Intelligence To Guide Earthquake Response

3 days ago

A California tech firm believes that artificial intelligence can help communities prepare for, and respond to, quakes.

Trump's NASA Nominee, Jim Bridenstine, Confirmed by Senate on Party-Line Vote

3 days ago

The Oklahoma congressman's nomination languished for more than seven months as senators raised objections to his record, and now additional concerns have been raised.

Major Earthquake On Bay Area Fault Could Kill 800 People, USGS Predicts

3 days ago

The U.S. Geological Survey simulated a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on the Hayward Fault near Oakland, Calif., and found that such a quake could kill hundreds and cause more than $100 billion in damage.

Celebrity names now mark places on Pluto's moon Charon

3 days ago

Pluto's largest moon, Charon, now has 12 new names for its topological features.

What Is CRISPR?

3 days ago

CRISPR technology is a simple yet powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function.

End the War on Weed

3 days ago

Federal marijuana laws are counterproductive and overly harsh -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Global Health: Ethicists Call for More Scrutiny of 'Human-Challenge' Trials

3 days ago

A vaccine study in which subjects are to be deliberately infected with Zika is on pause after ethicists said it had "insufficient value."

How Deep Is Your Carbon Footprint?--Celebrate Earth Day with Data

3 days ago

An infographic reveals the most effective ways to live more sustainably -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

What's It Like to Be Queer in STEM?

3 days ago

A nationwide project is surveying the experiences of LGBTQ+ scientists to find out -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

For One Fine-Dining Chef, Cutting Food Waste Saves The Planet And The Bottom Line

3 days ago

After nearly going bankrupt, chef Tim Ma cut costs by cooking creatively with every last bit of ingredients. Some dishes born of frugality have become favorites at his acclaimed D.C. restaurant.

Ask Well: Can You Miss the Signs of Heart Disease or a Heart Attack?

3 days ago

It's not always easy to tell if you have heart disease or have had a heart attack.

It's Full of Stars: New 3-D Milky Way Map Could Settle Debate over Who Discovered the First Exoplane…

3 days ago

Better data from the Gaia spacecraft also promises to shed light on mysterious brown dwarfs -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

New NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine Faces "Uphill Climb" after Contentious Confirmation

3 days ago

Partisanship and his past statements about climate change could hinder Bridenstine’s leadership of the space agency -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Romaine Lettuce Expands to 16 States

3 days ago

At least 53 people have been infected so far, and more than half have been hospitalized.

Closing the gender gap in some science fields may take over 100 years

3 days ago

In some STEM fields, the gender gap won't disappear for decades or even centuries, a new study suggests.

It's The Hubble Space Telescope's Birthday. Enjoy Amazing Images Of The Lagoon Nebula

3 days ago

This month marks the Hubble Space Telescope's 28 years in space, and as a gift to us earthlings, NASA and the European Space Agency issued photos of colorful, explosive beauty.

8 Years After Deepwater Horizon Explosion, Is Another Disaster Waiting To Happen?

3 days ago

Eight years after the deadly Deepwater Horizon explosion, a safety watchdog aims to prevent another disaster. But it faces multiple challenges, and a shift in focus under the Trump administration.

Panel Recommends FDA Approval of Epilepsy Drug Derived from Marijuana

3 days ago

Decision paves path to the U.S.'s first medication made from marijuana -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Amazing Images: The Best Science Photos of the Week

3 days ago

Here are the stories behind the most amazing images in the world of science this week. A recap of the coolest photos featured on Live Science.

F.D.A. Panel Recommends Approval of Cannabis-Based Drug for Epilepsy

3 days ago

Epidiolex was developed to treat two rare and devastating forms of the disease. It contains a chemical compound found in marijuana but not the one that makes people high.

Earth Day and the Hockey Stick: A Singular Message

3 days ago

On the 20th anniversary of the graph that galvanized climate action, it is time to speak out boldly -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Scientists discover mechanism behind motor neurone disease

3 days ago

An international team found that a protein causes brain cells to die when it is stuck in the jelly phase.

Poison project

4 days ago

Scientist Vladimir Uglev has no doubt the agent that poisoned the Skripals was made in Russia.

Matter: Bodies Remodeled for a Life at Sea

4 days ago

The Bajau, who spend most of their time on the ocean, are among the best divers in the world. Evolution is remaking them, a new study finds.

NASA planet hunter on its way to orbit

4 days ago

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) launched on the first-of-its-kind mission to find worlds beyond our solar system, including some that could support life. Researchers will use spectroscopy to determine a planet's mass, density and atmospheri…

San Francisco Earthquake Risks: Questions and Answers

4 days ago

Our correspondent in San Francisco answers readers' questions about the risks facing the Bay Area when the Big One hits.

As Opioid Prescriptions Fall, Prescriptions for Drugs to Treat Addiction Rise

4 days ago

New data suggests progress in efforts to curb the epidemic but raises questions about whether tightened prescribing may be leading some people to heroin and fentanyl.

Novel antioxidant makes old blood vessels seem young again

4 days ago

Older adults who take an antioxidant that specifically targets mitochondria see age-related changes in blood vessels reverse by the equivalent of 15 to 20 years within six weeks, a new study shows.

SpaceX rocket launched from Florida carrying NASA planet-hunting telescope

4 days ago

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - A Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on SpaceX's first high-priority science mission for NASA, a planet-hunting orbital telescope designed to detect worlds beyond our solar system that might be capable of har…

Museum researchers rediscover animal not seen in 30 years

4 days ago

Researchers have rediscovered the San Quintin kangaroo rat (Dipodomys gravipes) in Baja California. The Museum is partnering with Terra and local authorities on a conservation plan for the species, which was last seen in 1986, and was listed as endangered by t…

New microscope captures detailed 3-D movies of cells deep within living systems

4 days ago

Merging lattice light sheet microscopy with adaptive optics reveals the most detailed picture yet of subcellular dynamics in multicellular organisms.

A complete cell atlas and lineage tree of the immortal flatworm

4 days ago

From one stem cell to many differentiated body cells: Scientists have now published a comprehensive lineage tree of a whole adult animal. This was made possible by a combination of RNA and computational technologies.

Bottlenose Dolphins Spotted Off Canada's Pacific Coast For The First Time

4 days ago

This was a bizarre sight because this kind of dolphin has never before been spotted in this northern area. They like the warmer waters farther south. About 200 were swimming in the group.

Mind: Antidepressants and Withdrawal: Readers Tell Their Stories

4 days ago

Nearly 9,000 readers wrote to The Times to talk about their use of antidepressants. Here's what we learned.

Bajau people 'evolved bigger spleens' for free-diving

4 days ago

In an example of human natural selection, Asia's Bajau people have evolved bigger spleens for diving.

Atoms may hum a tune from grand cosmic symphony

4 days ago

Researchers playing with a cloud of ultracold atoms uncovered behavior that bears a striking resemblance to the universe in microcosm. Their work forges new connections between atomic physics and the sudden expansion of the early universe.

Male fruit flies enjoy ejaculation

4 days ago

Red light exposure made some genetically engineered fruit flies ejaculate, spurring a surge of a brain reward compound - and less desire for booze.

This plastic-gobbling enzyme just got an upgrade

4 days ago

Scientists tweaked a bacterial enzyme and made it more efficient in breaking down plastics found in polyester and plastic bottles.

New Study Says Ancient Humans Hunted Big Mammals To Extinction

4 days ago

As humans spread around the globe, other big mammals vanished. Researchers believe it's because they were tasty.

Closing gender gap in physics 'will take generations'

4 days ago

The gender gap in science subjects like physics is likely to persist for hundreds of years, study suggests.

Flatpack fear no more? Robot assembles IKEA chair frame

4 days ago

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Robots in Singapore have completed a task many humans dread - assembling flat-packed IKEA furniture.

Squeezing more power out of solar cells

4 days ago

Physicists have published new research that could literally squeeze more power out of solar cells by physically deforming each of the crystals in the semiconductors used by photovoltaic cells.

Oxford Dodo was shot in head, scans find

4 days ago

The world-famous specimen is the world's best-preserved example of the extinct bird.

Hans Asperger Aided Nazi Child Euthanasia, Study Says

4 days ago

The autism researcher collaborated with the Third Reich and actively assisted in the killing of disabled children, a new report says.

Homemade microscope reveals how a cancer-causing virus clings to our DNA

4 days ago

Using a homemade, high-tech microscope, scientists have revealed how a cancer-causing virus anchors itself to our DNA. That discovery could pave the way for doctors to cure incurable diseases by flushing out viruses, including HPV and Epstein-Barr, that now pe…

What's Next for TESS, NASA's New Exoplanet Hunter?

4 days ago

The spacecraft is headed to its science orbit and prepping to discover thousands of alien worlds -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Larger spleens may help 'sea nomads' stay underwater longer

4 days ago

The Bajau people of Southeast Asia have a gene variant associated with larger spleens, boosting their oxygen while breath-hold diving, researchers say.

Clear as mud: Desiccation cracks help reveal the shape of water on Mars

4 days ago

As Curiosity rover marches across Mars, the red planet's watery past comes into clearer focus.

Using the right plants can reduce indoor pollution and save energy

4 days ago

A plant physiologist concludes that a better knowledge of plant physiology, along with integration of smart-sensor-controlled air cleaning technologies, could improve indoor air quality in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

Natural selection gave a freediving people in Southeast Asia bigger spleens

4 days ago

The Bajau people of Southeast Asia, known as Sea Nomads, spend their whole lives at sea, working eight-hour diving shifts with traditional equipment and short breaks to catch fish and shellfish for their families. Researchers now report that the extraordinary …

Male contraceptive compound stops sperm without affecting hormones: Study in monkeys

4 days ago

A new study details how a compound called EP055 binds to sperm proteins to significantly slow the overall mobility of the sperm without affecting hormones, making EP055 a potential 'male pill' without side effects.

Some Mutations Tied to Autism May Be Passed Down from Fathers

4 days ago

The findings go against previous studies that suggest mutations are inherited from mothers -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Rapid rise in mass school shootings in the United States, study shows

4 days ago

More people have died or been injured in mass school shootings in the United States in the past 18 years than in the entire 20th century. In a new study, researchers have reviewed the history of mass school shootings in the U.S. and found some alarming trends.…

Vast stellar nursery of Lagoon Nebula

4 days ago

This colorful cloud of glowing interstellar gas is just a tiny part of the Lagoon Nebula, a vast stellar nursery. This nebula is a region full of intense activity, with fierce winds from hot stars, swirling chimneys of gas, and energetic star formation all emb…

Unprecedented wave of large-mammal extinctions linked to prehistoric humans

4 days ago

Homo sapiens, Neanderthals and other recent human relatives may have begun hunting large mammal species down to size -- by way of extinction -- at least 90,000 years earlier than previously thought, according to a new study. The magnitude and scale of the exti…

Stella McCartney: Fashion is swamping our planet

4 days ago

Designer Stella McCartney says fashion is a medieval industry, which produces a huge amount of waste.

"Sea Nomads" May Have Evolved to Be the World's Elite Divers

4 days ago

New genetic evidence suggests these indigenous Southeast Asians are singularly suited for underwater hunting -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Design Review: At This Museum Show, You're Encouraged to Follow Your Nose

4 days ago

"The Senses: Design Beyond Vision" at the Cooper Hewitt asks visitors to consider sound, taste and smell.

A hole in an ancient cow's skull could have been surgery practice

4 days ago

Before performing skull operations on people, ancient surgeons may have rehearsed on cows.

Solar sailing

4 days ago

How can you create public transport in the jungle without polluting it? The isolated Achuar peoples of Ecuador have created an ingenious solution.

Traffic Deaths Increase after 4:20 P.M. on 4/20

4 days ago

A look at a database of fatal traffic accidents found a 12 percent increase on the informal marijuana holiday 4/20 after 4:20 P.M. compared with nearby dates. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Plastic straw and cotton bud ban proposed

4 days ago

Plan for a ban in England is announced as Commonwealth leaders are urged to tackle plastic waste.

Dogs could be more similar to humans than we thought

4 days ago

Dog and human gut microbiomes have more similar genes and responses to diet than we previously thought, according to a new study

Damage to Great Barrier Reef From Global Warming Is Irreversible, Scientists Say

4 days ago

A huge heat wave killed 30 percent of the reef's coral in 2016, and continuously high temperatures are preventing its recovery.

How to bend and stretch a diamond

4 days ago

Brittle diamond can turn flexible and stretchable when made into ultrafine needles, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have discovered.

Rising CO2 levels might not be as good for plants as we thought

4 days ago

A 20-year experiment spots a reversal in the way two kinds of plants take up extra carbon from the atmosphere.

3-D human 'mini-brains' shed new light on genetic underpinnings of major mental illness

4 days ago

Researchers are leveraging gene-editing tools and mini-organs grown in the lab to study the effects of DISC1 mutations in cerebral organoids -- 'mini brains' -- cultured from human stem cells.

Australia Diary: Weathering the Weather

5 days ago

Growing up in Queensland means understanding the difference between hot, stinking hot and unbearably hot.

Gates backs gene technologies in fight to end malaria

5 days ago

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Gene-editing technologies that alter mosquitoes' DNA could prove critical in the fight against malaria, Bill Gates said on Wednesday, and ethical concerns should not block progress in such gene-modifying research.

Researchers design 'soft' robots that can move on their own

5 days ago

If Star Wars' R2-D2 is your idea of a robot, think again. Researchers have reported a new class of soft robot, composed of ultrathin sensing, actuating electronics and temperature-sensitive artificial muscle that can adapt to the environment and crawl, similar…

Black hole and stellar winds form giant butterfly, shut down star formation in galaxy

5 days ago

Researchers have completed an unprecedented 'dissection' of twin galaxies in the final stages of merging. The new study explores a galaxy called NGC 6240. While most galaxies in the universe hold only one supermassive black hole at their center, NGC 6240 conta…

Peptide induces chirality evolution in a single gold nanoparticle

5 days ago

Scientists have created a synthesis method to make optically active and chiral gold nanoparticles using amino acids and peptides for the first time. Many chemicals significant to life have mirror-imaged twins and such characteristics are conventionally called …

Why touch can be such a creepy sensation in VR

5 days ago

Touch sensation in VR can go from immersive to unnerving as the feeling gets more realistic, if you can't see the source.

Martian moons model indicates formation following large impact

5 days ago

Scientists posit a violent birth of the tiny Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, but on a much smaller scale than the giant impact thought to have resulted in the Earth-moon system. Their work shows that an impact between proto-Mars and a dwarf-planet-sized objec…

Robot Conquers One of the Hardest Human Tasks: Assembling Ikea Furniture

5 days ago

Researchers in Singapore explained how they created a robot that could devise and execute a plan to put together an Ikea chair.

Costa Coffee vows 'cup recycling revolution'

5 days ago

The UK's biggest coffee chain says it will recycle as many disposable cups as it sells by 2020.

Keeping livers 'alive' boosts transplant success, trial finds

5 days ago

The alternative to ice involves pumping livers with blood, nutrients and medicines while in a machine.

Synthetic cancer indicator: An artificial mole as an early warning system

5 days ago

Researchers have developed an early warning system for the four most common types of cancer. Should a tumor develop, a visible mole will appear on the skin.

New ancestor of modern sea turtles found in Alabama

5 days ago

A sea turtle discovered in Alabama is a new species from the Late Cretaceous epoch, according to a new study.

How ravens caused a LIGO data glitch

5 days ago

Ravens pecking at frosty pipes caused a glitch in gravitational wave data.

Characterizing 'keyhole' is first step to fighting obesity at cellular level

5 days ago

Scientists have characterized for the first time a complex, little-understood cellular receptor type that, when activated, shuts off hunger.

Feature: Can Dirt Save the Earth?

5 days ago

Agriculture could pull carbon out of the air and into the soil - but it would mean a whole new way of thinking about how to tend the land.

Study reveals new Antarctic process contributing to sea level rise and climate change

5 days ago

A new study has revealed a previously undocumented process where melting glacial ice sheets change the ocean in a way that further accelerates the rate of ice melt and sea level rise. The research found that glacial meltwater makes the ocean's surface layer le…

NASA's TESS spacecraft launches to begin its exoplanet search

5 days ago

After reaching its orbit in about two months, the telescope will start scanning nearby stars telltale dips in light that signal a passing planet.

Meteorite diamonds tell of a lost planet

5 days ago

Scientists have examined a slice from a meteorite that contains large diamonds formed at high pressure. The study shows that the parent body from which the meteorite came was a planetary embryo of a size between Mercury and Mars.

Meteorite diamonds 'came from lost planet'

5 days ago

The space rock that exploded in 2008 seems to have come from the early Solar System.

Pursuits: A Birder's Paradise in Zimbabwe

5 days ago

One of the greatest concentrations of birds of prey in the world can be found among the towering rock formations and thick forests of Matobo National Park.

Trilobites: Diamonds in a Meteorite May Be a Lost Planet's Fragments

5 days ago

The space rock crashed in a desert in Sudan in 2008, and the flaws in its embedded minerals are like nothing seen in today's solar system.

Global warming is transforming the Great Barrier Reef

5 days ago

A new study shows that corals on the northern Great Barrier Reef experienced a catastrophic die-off following the extended marine heatwave of 2016.

340,000 stars' 'DNA' interrogated in search for sun's lost siblings

5 days ago

Astronomers have revealed the 'DNA' of more than 340,000 stars in the Milky Way, which should help them find the siblings of the sun, now scattered across the sky. This is the first major announcement of an ambitious survey as part of a quest to uncover the fo…

This meteorite's diamonds hint that it was born in a lost planet

5 days ago

Bits of metal nestled inside diamonds suggest the space rock could have formed in a Mars-sized protoplanet in the early solar system.

100 Women: 'Record number' of Nepalese women climbing Everest this season

5 days ago

A record number of Nepalese women are climbing Mount Everest this spring season, officials tell the BBC.

Heatwaves 'cook' Great Barrier Reef corals

5 days ago

Recurring spells of ocean warming impact the diversity of coral reef communities.

Planet-hunter launches from Florida

5 days ago

The US space agency's Tess satellite lifts off on a mission to find thousands of new worlds.

New new genus and species of extinct baleen whale identified

5 days ago

Paleontologists are rewriting the history of New Zealand's ancient whales by describing a previously unknown genus of baleen whale, alive more than 27.5 million years ago and found in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury.

Climate Lawsuits, Once Limited to the Coasts, Jump Inland

5 days ago

Local governments in California and New York City have sued oil and gas giants. Now Boulder and two Colorado counties have joined the fight.

Do You Know Which Dog Breeds Are in a Mutt? Scientists Want to Find Out

5 days ago

A new online citizen science questionnaire is a brain teaser for people who think they're good at guessing the breeds in the genetic makeup of a mutt.

Last of the wild asses back from the brink

5 days ago

Wild equines are being reintroduced to the grasslands of Kazakhstan where they once roamed in large numbers.

Chemical attack

5 days ago

Experts describe the challenges facing those investigating an alleged chemical attack in Syria.

Masses of shrimp and krill may play a huge role in mixing oceans

5 days ago

Hoards of migrating shrimp and krill can cause large-scale turbulence in the ocean, a new study suggests.

ScienceTake: How a Common Beetle May Offer Deep Insights Into Evolution

5 days ago

A molecular biologist has turned a childhood obsession with a common beetle into a scientific quest.

How This Beetle Evolved to Mimic Ants

6 days ago

At least 12 types of rove beetle have evolved to convince ants and termites that it is one of them, all the while stealing their food and eating their young.

Can we tell black holes apart?

6 days ago

Astrophysicists have created and compared self-consistent and realistic images of the shadow of an accreting supermassive black hole. The goal was to test if Einsteinian black holes can be distinguished from those in alternative theories of gravity.

Nonfiction: Freeman Dyson's Life, Through His Letters

6 days ago

In "Maker of Patterns," the renowned physicist presents his correspondence, revealing observations about the great minds of the 20th century.

Will China beat the world to nuclear fusion and clean energy?

6 days ago

China's nuclear fusion research might put the country at the fore of future clean energy solutions.

These seals haven't lost their land ancestors' hunting ways

6 days ago

Clawed pawlike forelimbs help true seals hunt like their land-dwelling ancestors.

Elevation in buildings can affect the decisions we make

6 days ago

New research shows that elevation in an office building can increase someone's willingness to take financial risks because it makes people feel more powerful.

Bialowieza forest: Poland broke EU law by logging

6 days ago

Poland violated EU law by ordering large-scale logging in Bialowieza forest, Europe's top court says.

Gerst aims to be 'nice boss' as first German ISS commander

6 days ago

COLOGNE (Reuters) - Astronaut Alexander Gerst says he aims to be a "nice boss" when he becomes the $100 billion International Space Station's first German commander later this year.

Here's why putting a missile defense system in space could be a bad idea

6 days ago

Expanding missile defense capabilities could put the world on a slippery slope to space warfare.

Marine fish won an evolutionary lottery 66 million years ago

6 days ago

Why do the Earth's oceans contain such a staggering diversity of fish of so many different sizes, shapes, colors and ecologies? The answer, biologists report, dates back 66 million years ago, when a six-mile-wide asteroid crashed to Earth, wiping out the dinos…

Trilobites: New York Mice Are Crawling With Dangerous Bacteria and Viruses

6 days ago

Columbia University researchers analyzed feces from city mice and found bacteria, drug-resistant bugs and viruses never seen before.

Plastic-eating enzyme holds promise in fighting pollution

6 days ago

(Refiles this April 16 story to fix affiliation in 10th paragraph.)

GE rides gene therapy wave with ready-made viral drug factories

6 days ago

LONDON (Reuters) - General Electric is raising its bet on biotechnology with the launch of prefabricated manufacturing units for producing virus-based gene and cell therapies, novel anti-cancer treatments and vaccines.

More than 100 parts for NASA's Orion capsule to be 3D printed

6 days ago

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - More than 100 parts for U.S. space agency NASA's deep-space capsule Orion will be made by 3D printers, using technology that experts say will eventually become key to efforts to send humans to Mars.

This ancient Maya city may have helped the Snake King dynasty spread

6 days ago

A rural hub in an ancient Maya state gets its due with some laser help.

Reality Check

7 days ago

It's not as easy to recycle your takeaway coffee cup as people may have thought.

Dinosaurs ended -- and originated -- with a bang!

7 days ago

It is commonly understood that the dinosaurs disappeared with a bang -- wiped out by a great meteorite impact on the Earth 66 million years ago. But their origins have been less understood. In a new study, scientists show that the key expansion of dinosaurs wa…

A new Bose-Einstein condensate

7 days ago

Researchers have created a Bose-Einstein condensate of light coupled with metal electrons, so-called surface plasmon polaritons.

Men willing to punish more than women to get ahead

7 days ago

Researchers have measured gender differences in cooperation and punishment behavior. Results showed that men punish more than women, men obtain higher rank, and punishment by males decreases payoffs for both sexes. Furthermore, men are willing to punish people…

Scientists decipher the magma bodies under Yellowstone

7 days ago

Using supercomputer modeling, scientists have unveiled a new explanation for the geology underlying recent seismic imaging of magma bodies below Yellowstone National Park.

How NASA's TESS Spacecraft Will Hunt Exoplanets

7 days ago

NASA's TESS spacecraft will spend two years searching the sky for nearby alien worlds.

First an alga, then a squid, enigmatic fossil is actually a fish

7 days ago

A fossil slab discovered in Kansas 70 years ago and twice misidentified -- first as a green alga and then as a cephalopod -- has been reinterpreted as the preserved remains of a large cartilaginous fish, the group that includes sharks and rays. Researchers now…

We think we're the first advanced earthlings -- but how do we really know?

7 days ago

Imagine if, many millions of years ago, dinosaurs drove cars through cities of mile-high buildings. A preposterous idea, right? In a compelling thought experiment, scientists wonder how we would truly know if there were a past civilization so advanced that it …

Study identifies more than a hundred new genes that determine hair color

7 days ago

Scientists have discovered 124 genes that play a major role in determining human hair color variation.

Researchers have placed an electron in a dual state -- neither freed nor bound -- thus confirming a …

7 days ago

Half a century ago, Walter Henneberger wondered if it was possible to free an electron from its atom, but still make it stay around the nucleus. Scientists considered it was impossible. For the first time, physicists have managed to control the shape of the la…

'Mono' virus linked to seven serious diseases

7 days ago

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -- best known for causing mononucleosis -- also increases the risks for some people of developing seven other major diseases, according to a new study. The diseases are: systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid …

Rocket-control glitch delays launch of NASA's planet-hunting satellite

7 days ago

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - An 11th-hour technical glitch prompted SpaceX to postpone its planned launch on Monday of a new NASA space telescope designed to detect worlds beyond our solar system, delaying for at least 48 hours a quest to expand astronomer…

Engineering a plastic-eating enzyme

7 days ago

Scientists have engineered an enzyme which can digest some of our most commonly polluting plastics, providing a potential solution to one of the world's biggest environmental problems.

Evidence mounts for Alzheimer's, suicide risks among youth in polluted cities

10 days ago

Researchers have published a new study that reveals increased risks for Alzheimer's and suicide among children and young adults living in polluted megacities.

Brave New Girls: Women in STEM

10 days ago

Brave women characters play a variety of roles in both science fiction and in real-life STEM fields. At Awesome Con, Washington D.C.'s premier pop culture festival, both are celebrated, whether by fans in costume or through their lively and insightful panel di…

Quantum physicists achieve entanglement record

10 days ago

Entanglement is of central importance for the new quantum technologies of the 21st century. A research team is now presenting the largest entangled quantum register of individually controllable systems to date, consisting of a total of 20 quantum bits. The phy…

Consuming more than five drinks a week could shorten your life

10 days ago

Regularly drinking more than the recommended UK guidelines for alcohol could take years off your life, according to new research. The study shows that drinking more alcohol is associated with a higher risk of stroke, fatal aneurysm, heart failure and death. …

Artificial intelligence accelerates discovery of metallic glass

10 days ago

Combining artificial intelligence with experimentation sped up the discovery of metallic glass by 200 times. The new material's glassy nature makes it stronger, lighter and more corrosion-resistant than today's best steel.

'Countries have political borders - science doesn't'

12 days ago

It's not every day that a high school student is invited to China to deliver a keynote address on their scientific research. But that's exactly what Tassilo Schwarz (Intel ISEF 2017), a German high school student, was asked to do in Shanghai this winter. He sp…

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