Is NASA falling out of love with Mars?
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses NASA's rocky relationship with Mars exploration.
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Environment
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Skeleton of the world’s rarest marine mammal preserved by digital imaging
The reconstruction of the vaquita, whose numbers barely reach double figures in the wild, is designed to help research and conservation efforts Scientists have created a digital reconstruction of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, preserving its anatomy in three dimensions to ...
‘It’s not science, it’s coercion’: health experts decry RFK Jr order on hantavirus quarantine
Kennedy overrides CDC order saying an American who came into contact with hantavirus can self-quarantine The Trump administration is employing “authoritarian” and “unconstitutional” quarantine measures for at least one person who came into contact with a hantavirus patient, health law experts say. ...
Here's why the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool went green so fast
The reflecting pool turned an interesting shade of green awfully fast. Here is why.
This plant extract can make a lethal drug cocktail. Can it also treat opioid addiction?
The U.S. will begin to test kratom for its potential to treat opioid disorder. In California, a complaint targets a business accused of violating kratom restrictions.
‘Termination shock’: trust our expert warnings on geoengineering’s planetary risks | Raymond Pierrehumbert, Julia Slingo, Michael Mann and Valerie Masson-Delmotte
Do we really want to play dice with our planet? A series in the Guardian recently declared “it’s time to talk about geoengineering.” So let’s talk about it. And let us start with some simple truths about this cluster of techno-optimistic “quick ...
New research links prenatal exposure to Pfas to later development of PMOS
Study suggests exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ may be a main driver of disease, formerly called PCOS, authors say New research for the first time links prenatal exposure to Pfas “forever chemicals” with the development of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) later in ...
‘The purpose of the rule is fascism’: scientists fight back against planned Trump research cuts
Stand Up for Science founder says proposal to control how grants are spent would ‘dismantle US science ecosystem’ While waiting to board her flight home at Ronald Reagan Washington national airport recently, Colette Delawalla was reviewing a list of possible impacts from ...
Kidney cancer rates near Pfas factory in Lancashire a ‘major source of concern’
Experts cast doubt on conclusion of government-funded study of factory emitting forever chemicals near Blackpool Questions have been raised about the conclusions drawn by a government-funded study into kidney cancer rates near a factory linked to forever chemicals near Blackpool. Pfoa, a ...
My trip to meet the scientists trying to refreeze the Arctic
In this week’s newsletter: The melting of the Arctic’s summer sea ice is the most visible upshot of the climate crisis. Refreezing it might be a long shot – but do drastic times call for drastic measures? • Don’t get Down to ...
The truth about brain rot, according to science
Emerging research suggests overusing digital devices can be harmful, especially to mental health. But does being overly online truly rot our brains?
A 2011 earthquake bounced a seismic wave off Earth’s core, nudging Japan east
The wave's round trip to Earth's core set off a fault slip along Japan's plate boundaries, revealing a seismic hazard scientists hadn't recognized.
A textbook assumption about early land vertebrates may be wrong
Three species that lived about 308 million years ago challenge the idea that the first land vertebrates underwent amphibian-like metamorphosis.
Cambridge experts recreate 336-year-old garden to commemorate ‘father of natural history’
John Ray, 17th-century botanist who coined words petal and pollen, was a tutor at Cambridge when he created his first garden He coined the terms petal and pollen, helped to lay the foundations of modern biology and is widely regarded as the ...
The audacious plan to refreeze the Arctic – podcast
Sea ice is melting fast and worsening the climate crisis. But what if there were a way to thicken it again? Madeleine Finlay is joined by environment editor Damian Carrington to discuss a bold attempt to refreeze the Arctic which is showing ...
A bonanza for fans of the natural world: the digital library sharing 64m pages of scientific knowledge with everyone
The Biodiversity Heritage Library is an invaluable online archive of historic texts on species living and lost supplied by the world’s leading museums and universities. Now its future is in doubt Some go there to read about the wood that Victorian manufacturers ...
Apocalypse when? ‘Earth’s Black Box’ to be installed in remote Tasmanian airfield
Rouser Lab says the steel structure will record ‘every step’ humanity takes towards climate catastrophe Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast It was designed to survive the ...
A deadly fungus that can infect cats and people is spreading
It’s just a matter of time before Sporothrix brasiliensis reaches the U.S. a CDC expert says.
HPV jabs cut risk of dying from cervical cancer before 30 to almost zero
Study reveals positive news, but experts say deaths and cases may rise again as fewer teenagers get vaccinated Women who received an HPV vaccine in early adolescence have virtually zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30, according ...
Solstice-aligned 5,000-year-old monument ‘once in a lifetime find’, say archaeologists
Wessex Archaeology suspect they have uncovered a prototype for world-famous Stonehenge site in Wiltshire A 5,000-year-old monument that was aligned with the summer and winter solstices and may have served as a prototype for the later solar alignment at Stonehenge has been ...
A ‘Super El Niño’ may be on the way. What does that mean?
Past super El Niños have brought bad flooding, deadly fires and disease outbreaks. Climate experts already expect “shockingly high” temps this winter.
The oldest known plague outbreak struck hunter-gatherers 5,500 years ago
Plague DNA in ancient graves near Siberia's Lake Baikal suggests the disease threatened people long before farming and crowded settlements.
Honeybees make specialised ‘baby food’ to give larvae balanced diet, study says
Researchers also discover bees can adjust their diets when pollen sources do not provide healthy level of nutrients Honeybees blend a special “baby food” to give their larvae a balanced diet, with adult bees also able to regulate their feeding to avoid ...
Disclosure Day is great. But Spielberg overestimates our capacity for empathy
Spielberg’s sci-fi blockbuster starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor may be spectacular, but it misjudges how much abuse of groups we see as ‘other’ humans are prepared to tolerate Steven Spielberg has converted his longstanding fascination with the possible existence of aliens ...
How real is the Cyclops in ‘The Odyssey’?
The iconic one-eyed monster coming to movie screens in July in The Odyssey might have more in common with tiny water critters than with humans.
Goats can find food by following a human voice, study finds
Experiments show 29 animals moved towards a treat-filled bucket 60% of the time when guided by a researcher When it comes to following human cues, it seems the greatest of all time might actually be the goat. Researchers have discovered that, like ...
A nation shaped by rain: exhibition celebrates Scotland’s wettest obsession
Minnie the Minx and Macbeth feature in National Library’s exploration of how rainfall has shaped Scottish science, literature, history and identity It seems fitting that, 250 years ago, one of Scotland’s foremost scientists took a close interest in what is arguably the ...
NASA seems to be backing away from hunting for life on Mars
Viking 1 kicked off the search for Martian life 50 years ago. Now NASA’s shifting priorities are putting the quest in limbo.
A blood test for dementia may tell you if you have more than one type
AI helped researchers develop an experimental blood test that might let doctors diagnose overlapping dementias.
Chinese money plant leaves hide a mathematical pattern
Tiny water-secreting pores appear to organize the major veins of the plant leaves into an arrangement known as a Voronoi diagram.
El Niño turns crumbling California pier into climate battleground over what to save — and who pays
Rep. Sam Liccardo wants to rebuild the Pacifica pier with help from the federal government. But does investing in this kind of infrastructure make sense?
Should we ban social media for under-16s? – podcast
The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has announced a social media ban for under-16s, as part of an online safety drive that aims to go even further than the world’s first ban, introduced by Australia last year. Many parents have welcomed the ...
Californian is infected with rare tick-borne illness. What to know about the deadly bacteria
The fourth person in the U.S., the third California resident, has been infected with the bacterium Rickettsia lanei.
The North Atlantic’s ‘cold blob’ may signal a major current’s decline
A cold blob of water in the North Atlantic points to a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, researchers report.
What COVID is teaching doctors about the relationship between viruses and cancer
The pandemic has left some evidence that viral infection may play a role in reawakening dormant cancer cells already present in a patient's body before infection.
Right now, we could be living through a hantavirus disaster. The world avoided that, and this is why | Devi Sridhar
As the isolation period comes to an end for those caught up in the outbreak on a cruise ship, let’s celebrate a good news story passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship where the hantavirus outbreak first occurred finished their isolation periods ...
RFK Jr under fire for ‘bullying’ letter to scientific journal
Health advocates criticized Kennedy’s move demanding answers from journal that removed ‘flawed’ vaccine study Robert F Kennedy Jr , the US health secretary, is demanding answers from a medical journal that recently removed a paper suggesting a link between vaccines and infant ...
Otherworldly music albums feature space weather data
A science-art team uses research data to make music featuring sounds of Antarctica and outer space
Why more male than female newborns may get the crucial vitamin K shot
Vitamin K lowers the risk of bleeding, including in a circumcision. That procedure may explain a disparity in which infants are more likely to get the shot.
Starwatch: Sliver of moon and bright Venus create delightful twilight conjunction
Three-day-old moon will be about its own width away from luminous planet in constellation of Cancer A silver sliver of moon joins the bright beacon of Venus this week for a delightful twilight conjunction. The moon will be just over three days ...
Oliver Tree, musician and Santa Cruz native, dies in helicopter crash
The genre-defying singer-song writer and Santa Cruz native, was one of six killed when two helicopters collided Sunday morning in Brazil.
Globally significant volcanic event formed Giant’s Causeway, scientists find
Geochronologists say Antrim coastline’s basalt columns developed over 5.5m years – 8m less than thought For centuries, the tale has been passed from generation to generation: how the Irish giant Finn McCool built the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland to fight Benandonner, ...
Infant formula recalled after California baby sickened with botulism
Nara Organics recalled its baby formula after a California child and two others were sickened by potentially fatal infant botulism, federal officials said.
London startup to trial drug to prevent cancer therapy side-effect ‘cytokine storm’
Poolbeg Pharma to test the treatment in NHS hospitals and says it is also developing a GLP-1 weight loss pill A London-based startup is about to trial a drug at six NHS hospitals that could stop people on cancer immunotherapy getting a ...
Wes Streeting plans to increase high-skilled immigration if he becomes PM
Leadership hopeful to also say tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills Wes Streeting’s pitch to be the next Labour leader will include a plan to increase high-skilled immigration to the UK, arguing ...
Scientists find a whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean that's millions of years old
Scientists have documented a whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean with some carcasses dating back 5.3 million years, and it's supporting a thriving community of marine life.
New MLK hospital program brings amputations to zero for at-risk diabetic patients
A new program has boosted patients' health while avoiding painful, costly surgeries. In its four years, only one high-risk diabetes patient has needed an amputation.
NorCal braces for dry, dangerous fire season as SoCal faces typical conditions
Fire officials are bracing for an active fire season in Northern California as high temperatures dry out forests. Southern California will likely see a typical season.
The hill I will die on: I really don’t like ‘like’ – or other imprecise and redundant speech | Louis de Bernières
Junk speak, like junk food, encourages verbal littering. It has to be one of the worst things about life in Britain I live in the Norfolk countryside, and what irritates me most about living here is the deluge of litter that gets ...
Trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, study suggests
Photosynthesis does not always result in wood growth, a key factor in carbon dioxide sequestration Trees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, a study suggests, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth. ...
Blood test can find thousands of genetic conditions in pregnancy, say scientists
Technique that examines fragments of foetal DNA in mother’s bloodstream could limit need for invasive screening, according to researchers A new maternal blood test that can detect thousands of serious genetic conditions in the developing foetus could limit the need for invasive ...
No, mastic gum won’t reshape your jaw
Chewing gum made from mastic resin is a Greek staple that has some benefits for the mouth and gut. But it won’t change your face shape.
Here’s what would happen if you tried to break a photon in half
A mathematical model shows that attempting to sever a fundamental particle of light could conjure new ones out of thin air.
Crossword: Power play
Solve the crossword from our July 2026 issue, in which we raise our solving skills to the next level.
A new method could spot fentanyl variants no one has cataloged yet
Researchers used machine learning to help predict chemical signatures for over 1 billion possible fentanyls, including variants never seen before.
A popular sunscreen ingredient can finally be sold in the United States
The FDA will allow bemotrizinol in sunscreen. The chemical is long-lasting and defends against solar radiation that ages skin.
The SpaceX IPO made Musk a trillionaire. The old rules of capitalism no longer apply | Robert Reich
The economic principles taught in school aren’t as relevant as hype, connections and total, arbitrary control Share your views on SpaceX’s stock market debut Elon Musk is now the world’s first trillionaire, after his SpaceX exploration and satellite company went public on ...
Warning of cuts to medical services, L.A. County health officials ask state for emergency funds
Measure ER isn't enough, according to the head of L.A. County's Department of Health Services, which has joined other California health systems in lobbying for emergency funds.
A new test claims to tell how well you’re ageing – and even when you’ll die. But I’d rather not know | Helen Pilcher
I think I’ll leave new methods to measure biological age to the Kardashians. Too much knowledge about your mortality can be bad for your health In the season 5 finale of The Kardashians, the family took a commercially available blood test to ...
Funding cuts and repressive laws raise risk of new HIV epidemic, says UNAids
UN agency head warns of ‘major threat’ as global testing and treatment falls A funding crisis and increasing repression of human rights are making the resurgence of an HIV epidemic more likely, the international agency tackling Aids has warned. Winnie Byanyima, head ...
Subterranean fungi networks more than 100 quadrillion km in length, study finds
First ever global mapping of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi shows scale of hyphal systems that sustain plant life Our planet’s soils contain enough of the subterranean fungi that sustain plant life and help regulate the climate to stretch from the Earth to the ...
Autistic children being injected with unapproved stem cell treatments supported by RFK Jr
Desperate US parents paying up to $20,000 a session for a procedure scientists say could be bogus Autistic children as young as 18 months old are being injected with human stem cells derived from umbilical cords in unapproved, unproven and potentially harmful ...
Scientists reveal surprising mechanism behind Venus flytrap’s rapid snap
Intricate tests show hair-trigger detection causes cells on outer surface of leaf to soften, prompting closure The Venus flytrap is one of nature’s most impressive predators, luring insects with the intoxicating scent of nectar before capturing them with a snap of its ...
Lupus patients in England in remission after pioneering NHS trial of GM therapy
Doctors say therapy that genetically modifies person’s T-cells could offer cure for chronic autoimmune disease Five lupus patients in England are in remission after being treated with a revolutionary therapy that genetically modifies their own cells, in a medical breakthrough that could ...
Songs prep the brains of finches yet to hatch for a hot world
Adult finches make "heat calls" as the temperature rises. Exposure to the song prepares their unhatched young's brains for the heat.
Wegovy weight-loss pills to be available for patients in UK to buy
Regulator approval means patients who meet criteria will be able to purchase tablets with private prescription Patients in the UK will soon be able to buy the Wegovy weight-loss pill, the medicines regulator announced on Thursday. It is the first GLP-1 receptor ...
SpaceX heads for record $1.78tn float amid fears it is overvalued
Analysts say IPO that could make Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire has a ‘major disconnect’ on price Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to launch the biggest stock market float in history amid warnings that it may be overvalued. The space exploration, ...
Neuroscientists left the lab to study memory loss. The results were surprising
Using smartphone-based tools, researchers find that older adults’ recollections of past events may remain more intact than previously thought.
Clocks made from an atomic nucleus just ticked on for the first time
First dreamed up decades ago, the world's first nuclear clocks are set to improve quickly, becoming more precise and aiding the hunt for dark matter.
Measles has no treatments. Changing that may not be easy
Vaccination remains the priority, but some researchers are looking for drugs to fight the virus in people who don't get the shot.
Millions of homes in London, Essex and Kent at risk of sinking as climate crisis worsens
Analysis pinpoints areas most vulnerable to hotter, drier weather causing ground to shrink and drag foundations down Millions of homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence, according to an analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS). As hotter, drier summers driven by ...
Deepest and most extensive whale graveyard discovered in Indian Ocean
Some remains found in Diamantina fracture zone date back more than 5m years and reveal species and ecosystems unknown to science The oldest, deepest and most extensive whale graveyard yet discovered has been found in the south-eastern Indian Ocean, with fossils dating ...
‘The undruggable became druggable’: a gamechanging treatment for the world’s deadliest cancer – podcast
A daily pill can double survival time in patients with the world’s deadliest cancer, according to the results of a clinical trial that experts are saying is a gamechanger and one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades. To find out more about ...
UC Davis favored less qualified Black, Latino med school applicants, Justice Department claims
The U.S. Justice Department said an investigation by its Civil Rights Division found racial bias in admissions at UC Davis' School of Medicine.
Engineered hookworms could one day dispense drugs from inside your gut
In a first, researchers genetically modified hookworms. It’s a step toward turning the parasites into living pharmacies.
Sleep and exercise may dampen genetic drivers of heart disease
Over time, immune cells acquire mutations that promote atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes may offset these DNA glitches, new mouse data suggest.
Earth’s stratosphere is a mysterious superhighway for microbes
Well-known microbes that grow on our crops, our gardens, even our skin have been found thriving at two to three times the flying height of a commercial jetliner.
A new guideline links care for heart, kidney and metabolic diseases
A guideline treats heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity as connected conditions under one umbrella: CKM syndrome.
Why new dads shouldn't panic about low testosterone
While a plummeting hormone level can trigger depression and irritability, experts say a modest decline can make men more invested, less stressed co-parents.
Nasa unveils astronaut crew for Artemis III mission – video
Nasa revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission in Houston on Tuesday, the next step in the US space agency’s plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon. The announcement came two months after Artemis II’s record-breaking trip around the moon ...
Weight-loss drug users save more than £400 a year on food as take-up triples
Research suggests households that include a GLP-1 user collectively spent £780m less on grocery bills Business live – latest updates Weight-loss drugs are saving users’ households more than £400 a year on grocery bills, according to a survey, which found use of ...
‘Earth’s first starfleet’: Nasa reveals Artemis III crew and project’s next steps
Luca Parmitano to pilot all-male crew of four paving way for planned first human landing of Artemis IV in 2028 Jared Isaacman, the Nasa administrator, hailed the creation of “Earth’s first starfleet” on Tuesday as he revealed the Artemis III crew and ...
Humans prefer to walk anticlockwise, scientists find – but reason is unclear
From Spain to Japan, experiments have repeatedly shown a left-turn bias, but exact mechanic ‘is still an open question’ “I’m not an ambi-turner,” laments Derek Zoolander in the eponymous noughties satire about the world’s hottest male model and his rare catwalk hangup. ...
UK’s stem cell transplant system may be putting lives at risk, report by MPs finds
System not fit for purpose due to poor infrastructure and planning, with minority groups particularly at risk, MPs say The UK’s stem cell transplant system is potentially putting the lives of blood cancer patients at risk as a result of inadequate infrastructure ...
World-leading UK science facilities at risk amid £162m funding crisis
Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source face cuts of up to 20% as Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks savings Britain’s scientific capabilities face “serious damage” with some national facilities at risk of closure under spending cuts that are ...
What is El Niño and why could it mean record temperatures?
Global temperatures are expected to rise in the coming months as El Niño begins.
These birds clack their wing bones together to woo mates at night
During courtship, male scissor-tailed nightjars crack their wings together to make a sharp snapping sound. It's the result of colliding arm bones.
Frozen squirrel poop hints at sights and smells of Ice Age ecosystems
DNA preserved in ancient scat reveals what Yukon ground squirrels ate and what animals shared their world.
Christian leaders alarmed by climate crisis raise questions over GB News owner’s £28m church donations
Exclusive: Sir Paul Marshall’s climate views and those broadcast on GB News said to be ‘in direct opposition’ to those of Church of England The co-owner of GB News, a British TV channel accused of broadcasting climate change denial, has donated £28m ...
Santa Monica Mountains' last steelhead trout survived the Palisades fire — and even had babies
Scientists feared the Santa Monica Mountains' last endangered steelhead trout were wiped out by the Palisades fire. Then, they found them alive in Topanga Creek.
AI cracked an Erdős math problem. Now experts want guardrails
The result is correct but challenges core norms of mathematics: checking proofs, crediting ideas and keeping research open to everyone.
A drug may help people on GLP-1 meds preserve muscle
In a clinical trial, an experimental antibody reduced lean-mass loss in people on a GLP-1 drug. Whether that improves health is unclear.
Some pterosaurs may have boasted bold iridescence
A new analysis of a 120-million-year-old fossil suggests at least one pterosaur species shimmered in iridescent greens and magentas.
Muscle growth drug ‘could reduce loss of lean tissue’ when using slimming jabs
Trial suggests monoclonal antibody can help retain lean body mass when losing weight with GLP-1 medicines A drug that promotes muscle growth could significantly reduce the loss of lean body mass when using slimming jabs, research suggests. While GLP-1 based jabs such ...
There are reliable ways to tell if someone is lying to you – but they’re rarely the ones we think of using | Kirsty King
We are in dangerous territory as courts encourage jurors to discern untruth from body language. In fact, the words are far more revealing Imagine you are a juror on a murder trial. A married couple have been found shot dead. The defendant, ...
Monday briefing: Are we any closer to a cure for cancer?
In today’s newsletter: Researchers are giving us new insights into early detection and treatments, but with access to life-saving care remaining uneven patients still have a long road ahead Good morning. Israel has returned fire on Iran following a wave of missile ...
The Guardian view on cancer treatments: new hope for patients now and in the future | Editorial
A drug for pancreatic cancer shows immense promise, but we shouldn’t forget research in the field is a story of small victories It is unlikely that we will ever declare a final victory over cancer. Governments have often promised it: from Nixon’s ...
Triple-action diabetes jab shown to reduce blood sugar and body weight
Retatrutide is designed to control appetite and blood sugar but also increase body’s energy expenditure, unlike other drugs A new triple-action weekly jab for type 2 diabetes could significantly reduce blood sugar and body weight, according to phase 3 trial results . ...
New study casts doubt on reliability of mental health diagnosis interviews
Diagnostic interviews seen as ‘gold standard’ vary in reliability from condition to condition, study says Diagnostic interviews – the most common way to diagnose substance use and mental disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar and personality disorders – vary in reliability from condition ...
SpaceX IPO: how can I buy shares, and what are the risks?
Elon Musk firm plans the biggest stock market launch in history – but experts have flagged potential downsides It’s being billed as the biggest stock market launch in history. Shares in Elon Musk’s SpaceX are poised to be released on 12 June ...
‘Mogging’ is suddenly everywhere. Is that a problem?
This word for outdoing or outshining others originated in the manosphere, but is now thoroughly mainstream. Why is it so popular – and should we be worried about slang that arises from toxic subcultures? Until recently, if someone had said “mog” to ...
Removing ‘invisibility cloaks’ and safely skipping chemo: new weapons in war on cancer shared at US conference
Drug that stops cancer cells hiding and a breakthrough for pancreatic cancer among highlights from Asco conference – but there were also notes of caution Doctors, scientists and researchers shared new research about ways to tackle cancer at the 2026 American Society ...
L.A. region begins the year with the smoggiest first 5 months in a decade
So far this year, the South Coast air basin, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, has seen 39 days when the concentration of lung-irritating ozone exceeded the federal standard, according to preliminary state air quality data.
A flesh-eating worm from the 1960s is re-invading the U.S. Are CA cattle at risk?
Officials recently detected the flesh-eating New World Screwworm in a calf born in Texas. The once-eradicated parasite could tax a beef industry already experiencing increased prices. Will the discovery impact California farms?
Farewell, my Smilodon: La Brea Tar Pits to close for two years
A massive renovation will highlight new science in an L.A. institution
Nasa tells astronauts to return to International Space Station as air leak repair paused – as it happened
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here Roscosmos told journalists that the two air leaks that prompted Nasa to order five astronauts aboard the International Space Station to prepare for a possible evacuation were discovered during ...
Alien hunters update guidance on sharing news of possible intelligent life
Experts stress need for transparency while aiming to prevent premature announcements and protect scientists Alien hunters have released fresh guidelines on how to handle potential signals from intelligent life beyond Earth, in the hope of avoiding an outburst of panic, misinformation and ...
Scientists make sourdough bread using yeast found in 5,000-year-old mummy
Team now plans to see if they can use yeast strains harvested from Ötzi the Iceman to brew beer too Scientists have baked a sourdough loaf of bread using yeast strains harvested from a 5,000-year-old mummy and now plan to see if ...
International Space Station astronauts resume normal duties after evacuation order
Crew previously told to enter docked spacecraft and don spacesuits in case an air leak worsened Astronauts onboard the International Space Station have been told to return to normal duties after previously being on evacuation alert due to a worsening air leak. ...
Pacifica pier cracks, another coastal casualty as seas continue to rise
The Pacifica Municpal Pier was abruptly closed Thursday after city workers found cracks and missing concrete. It's one more coastal landmark that has begun to crumble as the ocean slowly rises around it.
This tiny, blue octopus is new to science
The deep-sea octopus is fully mature despite fitting in a palm, a trait researchers think may help it reproduce faster than larger relatives.
Honeybees and shrimp are now getting vaccinated
A shrimp vaccine for commercial use could protect the environment and prove vaccines aren’t just for vertebrates.
NASA declares MAVEN, its Mars atmosphere orbiter, dead
Over more than a decade at Mars, the orbiter revealed how the solar wind strips away the planet’s atmosphere — and why the world lost its water.
Even quiet black holes create winds, new Milky Way observations reveal
New observations suggest the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way’s core is blowing gas away from the central behemoth.
Bumblebees can solve problems on their own
With no training, bumblebees can work out how to use a ball like a ladder to feed on sugar from an out-of-reach flower.
Remote workers feel isolated. Back-to-office mandates are not a fix
Making social connection part of job design, whether people work remotely, hybrid or in-person, is key to supporting employees‘ well-being.
‘They surprise me every time’: bees can use tools to solve problems, study finds
Insects join list of species capable of solving simple ‘box-and-banana’ problem that demonstrates basic intelligence Bumblebees can use tools to solve a problem, according to experiments that demonstrate their remarkably advanced cognitive abilities. The bees were given an adapted version of an ...
Three studies used by RFK Jr and allies to justify controversial vaccine policy changes facing new scrutiny
Scientists praise moves to investigate, retract or remove controversial studies. The authors stand by their work Three scientific papers that raised questions about vaccine safety and were used by the Trump administration to justify controversial changes to US vaccine policies have over ...
Failing sea defences 'disaster' for nature reserve
An internationally important nature reserve in Hampshire is under threat from failing flood defences.
Emergency room visits during heat waves available to the public in 'near-real time' in L.A. County
A new dashboard makes public for the first time heat-related deaths and emergency room visits in near-real time.
Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup – podcast
It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To mark the occasion, Madeleine Finlay talks to Ian Sample about the science behind the tournament. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists ...
The race to combat Ebola: what vaccines and treatments are being developed and how long will it take?
With the Bundibugyo strain of the disease spreading across the DRC and Uganda, scientists and researchers are trying to find rapid solutions There is no vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that is spreading in the Democratic Republic ...
Curbing Congo’s Ebola outbreak is hampered by unknowns about the virus
Answers to key questions could help public health officials develop Ebola treatments, predict the outbreak’s trajectory and prevent a future one.
A secret to making a queen bee may lie in the wax around it
Queen-cell wax helps shape honeybee queen development, challenging the idea that royal jelly alone makes a queen, a new study suggests.
Specieswatch: Scientists trace haunting sea thrums to humpback whales
Understanding whale sounds could help prevent strikes from ships and even aid in search for extraterrestrial life If you stand on certain shorelines and listen carefully you might just hear deep rumbling noises. Sharp-eared fishers, lighthouse keepers and sea kayakers have been ...
The doctor who mends broken brains: why there is room for hope after a stroke or head injury
The neurologist Orlando Swayne doesn’t suggest everyone can recover. But he does argue that early, targeted and intense therapy can sometimes bring about life-changing improvements – and we have a moral obligation to provide it Claire was in bad shape. She had ...
Microsoft’s quantum chip got an upgrade. Critics are still skeptical
Swapping materials in its Majorana 2 chip boosted the effectiveness of quantum bits that rely on the math of topology to reduce errors, Microsoft says.
Ötzi the Iceman’s remains yielded ‘viable’ yeasts in the lab
The cold-loving yeasts from Ötzi’s remains suggest the Iceman’s microbiome may not be completely frozen in time.
Competition to run JPL comes at fraught moment of federal budget cuts, project overruns, management missteps
A competitive contract isn't necessarily a bad thing, experts say. But the administration's anti-science record raises suspicion.
Next El Niño could be strongest in decades
A new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin in a matter of weeks, the UN has warned, boosting temperatures on a planet already under strain from climate change.
Weight-loss drugs can cut breast cancer risk by up to 30%, studies suggest
Three studies add to evidence that jabs could be part of cancer-fighting toolkit to cut risk of developing or dying from disease Weight-loss drugs can cut the risk of developing or dying from cancer by 30%, doctors have said. Millions of people ...
The incredible science of the sleeping brain – podcast
Humans have been wondering why we sleep for thousands of years. Is sleep’s purpose rest and relaxation, memory consolidation or maybe cognitive processing? In the last 15 years, scientists have discovered another possible explanation – waste disposal. In 2012 neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard’s ...
Musket balls and a burnt hull: evidence of real pirates of the Caribbean found in Bahamas
Exclusive: First shipwrecks found in Nassau harbour on New Providence, once the hideout of Blackbeard and Calico Jack The first shipwrecks linked to the real pirates of the Caribbean in the Bahamas have been discovered by an international team co-directed by a ...
Somerset detectorist strikes gold with ‘spectacular’ Roman ring find
Kevin Minto’s discovery near Ilminster, showing goddess Victoria, has been acquired with coin hoard for £78,000 When Kevin Minto, a lorry driver, former soldier and keen metal detectorist, came upon something glinting in a Somerset field, he thought at first it was ...
Nearly 400,000 Californians cancel health coverage after losing federal aid
Facing higher premiums and the loss of federal subsidies, 374,000 Californians canceled their health insurance coverage in the first three months of the year.
British Paralympian could be first astronaut with physical disability to live in orbit
John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup Vast A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a ...
The math of choosing a restaurant meal is revealed in Richard Feynman’s notes
Physicist Richard Feynman turned a lunch dilemma into a math problem. Researchers finally cracked his notes and found people approximate his solution on their own.
Cancer is now a story of the good, the bad and the ugly – but also hope | Devi Sridhar
It’s natural to focus on breakthroughs, but there are many challenges in Britain and around the world. There is no magic bullet, but there’s room for optimism Cancer causes nearly one in six deaths worldwide every year , some 10 million all ...
Scientists uncover Feynman’s formula for finding best holiday restaurant
Late physicist turned issue of when to stop searching for a better place to eat into mathematical problem When it comes to exploring a new city, it can be tricky to know when to stop searching for a different restaurant to try ...
Debugging: Google requests permission to release 32m mosquitoes in California and Florida
Company asks US government to release army of sterile male mosquitoes to lower number of illness-spreading bugs Google wants to “stop bad bugs with good bugs”, and it’s not talking about coding. The tech company has asked the US government for permission ...
Meteor over Massachusetts prompts reports of booms across US and Canada
People from Delaware to Montreal reported either hearing loud booms or seeing the fireball in the sky over weekend A meteor over Massachusetts during the weekend ultimately prompted reports of booms and sightings across New England into Canada. The American Meteor Society ...
Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows
Experimental tablet produces encouraging results in patients with world’s most common forms of disease • ‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: patient’s hope after smart drug success A smart drug that stops cancer cells “hiding” from treatment can shrink tumours by ...
‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: cancer patient’s hope after smart drug success
Pat Brogan preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle after trial of treatment designed to stop disease from hiding • Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows One of the first patients ...
A tiny part of your brain may still listen under anesthesia
Tones, oddball sounds and words can spark brain cell responses, hinting at nuanced processing without consciousness.
More young people are looking to AI chatbots for mental health help
A new survey estimates 8 million young people use AI chatbots for help when stressed, angry or sad, an increase from 2024.
Meteor explodes over Massachusetts, setting off loud booms
Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apart A meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed ...
Masturbation among birds is ‘natural’ and should not be punished, say experts
Study finds activity is not harmful or caused by stress of captivity – and is in fact more common in wild birds An investigation into acts of self-pleasure among parrots and other birds has reached a climax, with the results providing welcome ...
Striped rock dismissed as natural in 1928 reclassified as UK’s oldest cave art
Scientific dating proves streaks on walls of Bacon Hole, near the Mumbles in south Wales, is Palaeolithic rock art In 1912, the Guardian reported on the discovery of Palaeolithic rock art on the walls of Bacon Hole, a cave near the Mumbles ...
A new pancreatic cancer pill may be a game changer for patients
Daraxonrasib, which nearly doubled patients' survival time, fights the disease in a new way. It bear-hugs a cancer protein that drives cell growth.
Daily pill can double survival time for world’s deadliest cancer, trial shows
Experts hail daraxonrasib as ‘gamechanger’ for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer A daily pill can double survival time in patients with the world’s deadliest cancer, according to the results of a clinical trial that experts are saying is a “gamechanger” and one ...
Cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients, trial shows
Jab brought ‘unprecedentedly strong responses’ in patients whose disease had become resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy Doctors have hailed “unprecedented” trial results that show a triple-action cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients. In an international trial spanning 11 countries, the ...
'Killer fungus' could be good news for habitats decimated by invasive moss
A newly discovered species raises hope that some native British habitats could be restored.
Trial of multi-cancer blood test among 142,000 NHS patients fails to meet main aim
Results presented at oncology conference in Chicago show Galleri test failed to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer that was billed as the holy grail of oncology has failed to achieve its main objective ...
‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy
Karen Bonham was part of successful trial for genomic test that determines which women with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy A landmark study shows millions of women with breast cancer ...
Poor sleep linked to rising cancer risk in under-50s
Findings add to growing efforts to explain why cancer rates are increasing among younger adults worldwide Poor sleep may be fuelling the global rise in under-50s being diagnosed with cancer, two large studies suggest. The number of younger people diagnosed with the ...
What is a blue micromoon and when is the best time to see it this weekend?
A blue micromoon is a rare spectacle, though it’s not as blue or as micro as you might imagine This weekend the night skies will feature a rare spectacle – a blue micromoon. We take a look at what the phrase means ...
‘There is no way to stop this’: ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie on her mission to genetically modify babies
The Canadian entrepreneur has always pushed the boundaries of gene editing, once attempting to turn horses into unicorns. Now she is set on modifying human embryos – something her controversial ex-husband was jailed for doing On a Friday evening in late April, ...
Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy
Trial suggests patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes ‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy Millions of women with breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy with a groundbreaking ...
Baby crocodile smuggler from Oxnard headed to federal prison
Jose Manuel Perez trafficked reptiles worth more than $739,000 into the U.S. from Mexico and Hong Kong, using social media to make deals, according to federal officials.
Europa may not vent water into space after all
The debate could reopen in 2030 when NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft gets the closest view of the icy moon’s surface.
Here’s how to make an origami torus with the fewest folds possible
A mathematician found the most efficient way to fold paper into a doughnutlike shape.
Most UK men should not be offered prostate cancer screening, experts say
Government will consider committee’s guidance that says mass screening ‘likely to cause more harm than good’ Most men in the UK will not be offered prostate cancer screening if the government accepts the final recommendation of an expert committee. Prostate cancer is ...
Mosquitoes can become attracted to insect repellant, study suggests
The insect may learn to associate the chemical Deet with a ‘blood meal’, researchers say It is a spray used worldwide to protect humans from mosquito bites, but now research suggests Deet can become attractive to the insects if they associate it ...
A $4 tongue swab test detects tuberculosis within 30 minutes
The new test may catch active tuberculosis in those with low access to health care or who have trouble making the phlegm needed for traditional tests.
Can DEET attract mosquitoes? A lab study offers clues
Lab experiments suggest mosquitoes can smell DEET and learn to associate it with food, but it’s unclear whether that happens in the wild.
Homing pigeons may use a surprising navigation mechanism
How animals navigate by Earth's magnetic field is hotly debated. New research in pigeons points to iron-laden liver immune cells as the compass.
Are robots nearing their ChatGPT moment? – podcast
Last month at Beijing’s half marathon, a robot named Lightning beat the human world record by nearly seven minutes. It’s the latest in a string of AI-powered milestones that have got people wondering whether robots are about to enter our everyday lives, ...
AI bots ignore evidence. Can we trust them with science?
Scientists rethink their ideas after experiments. AI agents struggle to learn from evidence and recognize when an idea is obviously incorrect.
Grapefruit-sized hail may become more common in a warmer world
A global model suggests that climate change could make hailstones larger and more damaging in many regions, especially at mid-to-high latitudes.
Huge volcanic eruption offers clues to fighting climate change
The South Pacific blast may have consumed its own methane — but using this idea against the greenhouse gas is controversial.
Water safety experts warn of dangers of outdoor swimming as heatwave grips UK
At least nine people have died in recent days as people have tried to cool off in Britain’s waterways Water safety experts have warned about the dangers of outdoor swimming after a number of drownings in recent days as people try to ...
Blossoming among spoil heaps: how 1,000 years of lead mining gave birth to banks of pansies and pennycress
Calaminarian grassland is a rare habitat where plants thrive in soils contaminated by heavy metals. But should these toxic meadows be protected or allowed to fade away? At first, the small purple flowers are hard to spot in the weak May sunshine. ...
Climate crisis is accelerating antibiotic resistance across world, study says
Experts say climate change linked to 10% rise in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023 The climate crisis is accelerating a global increase in antibiotic resistance that poses a serious threat to human health, experts have said as figures show ...
Story of dinosaur-killer meteorite impact told in vivid detail
Two scientists have described the bright fireball, crackling noise and sonic boom of the impact 66m years ago What would it have been like to have lived through the meteorite impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66m years ago? Writing in the ...
Parental mental health — not medication — drives autism correlation, new study finds
A new study finds no evidence that antidepressant medications cause autism.
Women’s faces rated more attractive even by other women, study finds
‘Gender attractiveness gap’ appears across cultures and over centuries but difference fades away with age Women’s faces are rated as more attractive than men’s, even by other women, but the perceived gap declines with age and all but vanishes by the time ...
Orange County leaders say previously evacuated area is safe. Experts say risks linger
Although many environmental experts praised the efforts of first responders, they remained skeptical that no toxic substances had been released.
Why temperature records are being not only broken but smashed
The combined effects of a heat dome and climate change have brought extreme warmth to western Europe.
Scientists create wearable ultrasound to continuously monitor babies in womb
Team hope the UPatch – at present a proof-of-concept device – will aid early detection of complications and prevent stillbirths Scientists have created a wearable ultrasound patch that can continuously monitor babies in the womb, with the hope that such devices could ...
Red-light masks: can they really slow ageing? – podcast
Home red-light therapy devices have exploded in popularity as masks, body wraps and mittens promise to reduce wrinkles, redness and even acne. But do the claims stack up, and what other benefits are scientists investigating? Ian Sample hears from his co-host, Madeleine ...
Even careful scuba divers can damage coral reefs
Hours of diving videos and hundreds of survey responses reveal the common diver mistakes that can cause irreversible reef damage.
Why is hantavirus so deadly? It’s not what you may think
Andes hantavirus causes deadly lung failure, but its method of attack differs from other respiratory illnesses. The details might inform future treatments.
Solar flares may show predictable warning signs hours before erupting
Scientists spotted patterns hours before a major solar flare, a discovery that could help forecast dangerous eruptions.
Britain's protected birds of prey still being shot, trapped and poisoned, says RSPB
The charity says more than half of attacks happened on or near land managed for game shooting.
Starwatch: this week’s rare blue moon highlights the strange way we mark our calendar
Because we define dates based on the stars, the full moon on 31 May will be the second one of the calendar month This week’s full moon is a blue moon. The term does not describe the colour of the moon, but ...
Lion’s aid: blood ice lollies keep big cats cool at London zoo
Animals have tactics of their own to cope with the heat, but zoo animals also get a little help from their keepers A hot bank holiday weekend might see humans flock to the beach, don summer hats and crack open a cold ...
Potential crack found on Garden Grove chemical tank, reducing explosion risk
Orange County fire official says a potential crack found on a pressurized chemical tank in Garden Grove might alleviated internal pressure, reducing risk of a catastrophic explosion.
‘Pompeii, but in the middle of a massive city’: the ice age fossil site hidden in Los Angeles
La Brea Tar Pits – the only urban, active ice age excavation site in world – gets a mammoth face lift for the first time in nearly 50 years Los Angeles is known for famous museums such as the Getty and the ...
China launches three-crew spaceflight as part of lunar ambitions
Mission will put first astronaut in orbit for a year, a key step in Beijing’s plan to put people on the moon by 2030 China has launched its Shenzhou-23 mission in which an astronaut will spend a full year in orbit for ...
The hill I will die on: If Hollywood blockbusters must dabble in science, can’t they get the small stuff right? | Helen Pilcher
Project Hail Mary, Jurassic Park: from dino-mosquitoes to a spaceship’s roar, pointless mistakes on the scientific details make me wince On the advice of my teenage son, I recently went to the cinema to see Project Hail Mary . The film has ...
Pioneering study aims to find out how repeated blows to head in women’s rugby affects brain
Risk of CTE in men’s sports has been widely studied, but female brains are softer and more vulnerable Cleo Pallister-Turley, a forward for Cardiff university’s women’s rugby team, winces as she recalls two major concussions from playing rugby. “Girls ask me, ‘aren’t ...
Some experts say they've never seen bees swarm so early — and that's concerning
A warm winter and dry spring could be making bees more vulnerable.
What is immunotherapy and how does it treat cancer and other conditions?
From infections and allergies to brain diseases and autoimmune disorders, a wave of trials offers hope Clinical trials of immunotherapies have rocketed in the past decade as researchers have turned their understanding of the body’s defences into powerful new treatments. Leading the ...
The science of us
Editor in chief Nancy Shute introduces a new social sciences column that explores what it means to be human.
Stephen Hawking’s father worried his son ‘does not study much’, diaries reveal
Exclusive: New biography uncovers Frank Hawking’s papers in which he lamented that his son had ‘little initiative’ In exploring the physics and geometry of the universe, Stephen Hawking became a world-renowned pioneer of black hole theory, writing the bestselling book A Brief ...
Caltech could lose control of JPL for the first time
The action forces Caltech to compete for control of the La Cañada Flintridge institution it has managed since NASA's inception in 1958.
Nearly 30 illegal waste 'super sites' revealed in new government watchlist
The list, published by the Environment Agency on Friday, includes 28 so-called "super sites" that contain more than 20,000 tonnes of waste.
How to keep cool at your summer festivals
As the summer festival season kicks off, temperatures are set to soar this bank holiday weekend.
The space race to create gym equipment for future astronauts
Scientists are attempting to build exercise equipment to be used on future space flights.
Ultrasound aimed at the brain offers new hope for Parkinson’s patients
A noninvasive treatment called high-intensity focused ultrasound helped relieve the shaking, stiffness and pain that accompany Parkinson’s disease.
Congo prepared for Ebola. Now a rare strain is exposing gaps in readiness
As Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak grows, public health responders are turning to old-school tactics to fight it as scientists search for new tools.
Physics explains why gold stays pristine
Metals like copper oxidize — reacting with oxygen in the air — but gold doesn’t, thanks to a quick switch in atom arrangement on its surface.
Math puzzle: The Ant Goes Marching
Solve the math puzzle from our June 2026 issue, where an ant navigates the surface of various objects to find the shortest path to her dinner.
How house design can curb childhood illnesses in Africa
Experimental houses with screens, rainwater systems and ventilation reduced malaria, diarrhea and infections among children in Tanzania.
New weight-loss shot appears to outperform other obesity drugs on market
Eli Lilly says participants in a sizable trial of retatrutide lost much more weight compared to other weight-loss drugs A new weight-loss drug has helped participants in a sizable trial lose much more weight than other obesity drugs already on the market ...
Mars colony and Grok warnings: five strange details in SpaceX’s pitch to investors
IPO filing from Elon Musk’s company reveals closer look at finances, cosmic ambitions and tech empire’s quirks SpaceX publicly released an investor prospectus on Wednesday as part of its plan for a $1.75tn debut on the US stock market next month, revealing ...
English Heritage unveils recreation of 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall near Stonehenge
The Kusuma Neolithic Hall, based on Durrington 68 site, will allow visitors to ‘step back in time’ into the lives of those who built the stone circle It may have been a place for ceremony or a barn for pack animals. It ...
Melanoma skin cancer cases in UK hit record level, analysis finds
Cancer Research UK figures show number diagnosed with most serious form of skin cancer has risen above 20,000 for first time The number of cases from the most serious form of skin cancer have reached a record high across the UK, according ...
Feds declare Eaton fire was a cleanup success. Their testing shows otherwise
In announcing its findings, the EPA cited federal lead standards only, and not California's more stringent thresholds.
US curbs on travelers exposed to deadly viruses may infringe rights and deter volunteers
Strict restrictions on Americans with exposure to Ebola and hantavirus highlight officials’ previous rhetoric on public health measures The US is imposing strict restrictions on American travelers who have been exposed in dual Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks in ways that experts say ...
New tools may help diagnose Parkinson’s earlier than ever
From special pens to earwax evaluations, a plethora of emerging diagnostics could one day be a major boon for people with the debilitating disease.
How do hurricanes and typhoons form and is climate change making them stronger?
These powerful tropical storms are generally becoming more intense as the world warms.
One mystery of the Great Pyramid’s longevity has finally been solved
Differences in how the pyramid and surrounding soil vibrate, along with design choices, have protected the structure from earthquakes.
Screening all kids for type 1 diabetes can catch more cases early
Identifying children with early signs of type 1 diabetes makes a difference to their health. A new study suggests wider screening is effective.
Seabirds weren’t fooled by a scarecrow-like buoy with rotating eyes
A tall buoy with a rotating pair of eyes was supposed to scare birds away from caught fish. Like scarecrows, it didn't work for long.
Lyme disease cases in England rise by more than 20% in a year
Scientists developing vaccines and anti-tick treatments amid growing concern over spread of disease Cases of Lyme disease have risen more than 20% in England in the past year, public health experts have revealed, as pharmaceutical companies work to create new vaccines and ...
Can a name change transform PCOS outcomes for women? – podcast
After more than a decade of global consultation, polycystic ovary syndrome – which affects as many as one in eight women – has been renamed. The condition is caused by high levels of androgens, which can lead to symptoms such as excess ...
SpaceX reveals plan for $1.75tn stock market debut that could make Musk a trillionaire
Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite operations company, with extensive contracts with US, to go public next month SpaceX unveiled its plans to list publicly on the US stock market Wednesday, disclosing its investor prospectus and revealing details about its financials for the ...
‘Morbid’ doesn’t want you to fall for antiaging hype
Scientist Saul Justine Newman debunks high-profile longevity research and antiaging “medicine” in a new book.
The outlook for a climate-regulating ocean current is…not good
An ocean current called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation will weaken by 50 percent by 2100. The question is what to do about it.
How to scout a safe summer swimming hole
Best practices, including checking public E. coli reports and keeping your head above water can keep you safe while swimming.
An ancient moonpocalypse may explain Neptune’s odd moon Nereid
Neptune’s oddball moon Nereid may be the sole remnant of an earlier system, formed near the planet rather than being pulled in from afar.
Collecting pollen can be as exhausting for bees as flight take-off, study shows
‘Floral buzzing’, the vibrations bees use to shake pollen loose from flowers, takes more energy than previously thought Bees use as much energy collecting pollen through “floral buzzing” as they do taking off in flight, a study shows. Scientists have found the ...
Immunotherapy could be used to treat depression, early trial suggests
UK scientists find tocilizumab, used for rheumatoid arthritis, may help antidepressant-resistant patients Immunotherapy could be used to treat depression among patients who have not responded to conventional antidepressants, according to the results of an early clinical trial. Researchers at the University of ...
Twenty-two years and 15,000km later: fluke discovery sets new record for humpback whale journey
Whale first photographed off the coast of Brazil in 2003 spotted off north-east Australia in September 2025 Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A humpback whale has ...
At least 80% responsibility for ill health in old age down to individual, study says
UK report argues people have greater control over longevity than widely understood, but others say claim is simplistic Individuals bear at least 80% of the responsibility for their ill health in old age, according to a report aimed at challenging the belief ...
Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
How a SoCal native became one of NASA's most valuable assets
Victor Glover, who grew up in the Inland Empire, is now the only pilot to have flown NASA's Orion capsule.
Artificial eggshell comes first in attempt to revive giant flightless moa
De-extinction firm Colossal Biosciences hopes incubation system can be scaled up but other scientists are sceptical The flightless moa, an extinct bird of New Zealand, stood more than 3 metres tall, weighed over 200kg and had eggs larger than those of any ...
Bryson DeChambeau questions moon landing footage but believes in interdimensional beings ‘for sure’
Golfer makes appearance on Katie Miller’s podcast Two-time major champion questions Nasa narrative As someone who has made much of his devotion to science , Bryson DeChambeau isn’t foolish enough to fall for any old conspiracy theory. But he does believe the ...
UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say
Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.
Damaged DNA can spread between human cells. What could that mean for cancer?
DNA can voyage along intercellular highways called tunneling nanotubes. It’s a phenomenon that could potentially spread tumor DNA to healthy cells.
AI-powered whale-spotting tech may help save San Francisco Bay’s gray whales
An AI trained to use thermal images to detect whale body heat could help warn ships at risk of colliding with the marine mammals.
What freediving can reveal about human health — and our limits
The practice of freediving is teaching physiologists how humans stretch their physical and mental limits, which in turn may improve treatments for lung and heart ailments.
Antarctic plants may face a growing fungal threat from warming soils
Soil DNA from Chile to the Antarctic Peninsula ties warmer climates to more plant fungal pathogens, with abundance projected to double by 2100.
High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found off coast of southern England
Study of Channel finds levels of toxic Pfas in Solent at 13 times safe limits in some places, with much coming from treated sewage Scientists have found high levels of toxic Pfas, or “forever chemicals” , in soil, water and throughout the ...
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
Europe's oldest science park could be redeveloped
Cambridge Science Park submits plans which could create 20,000 jobs and new public spaces.
A ‘jar’ jammed with human bones may solve Laos’ ‘Plain of Jars’ mystery
The remains of at least 37 people in an ancient stone 'jar' in northeastern Laos suggest that thousands similar jars were used in burials.
After Dobbs, miscarriage care looked different in states with abortion bans
States with abortion bans are trending away from evidence-based miscarriage treatment that includes mifepristone, compared with states without bans.