All Stories
- Space
The strongest known fast radio burst has been traced to a 7-galaxy pileup
The galactic smashup, located 11 billion light-years from Earth, could have triggered star formation and also odd flares like the fast radio burst.
- Genetics
How ancient herders rewrote northern Europeans’ genetic story
New DNA analyses show the extent of the Yamnaya people’s genetic reach starting 5,000 years ago and how it made descendants prone to diseases like MS.
- Paleontology
Earth’s largest ape went extinct 100,000 years earlier than once thought
Habitat changes drove the demise of Gigantopithecus blacki, a new study reports. The find could hold clues for similarly imperiled orangutans.
- Paleontology
The real culprit in a 19th century dinosaur whodunit is finally revealed
Contrary to the stories handed down among paleontologists, creationism wasn’t to blame for the destruction of Central Park’s dinosaurs.
- Life
Here’s how poison dart frogs safely hoard toxins in their skin
A protein found in frog bodies may help the amphibians collect and transport toxins from their food to their skin for chemical defense.
- Physics
Here’s the science behind the burbling sound of water being poured
The height of the pour and the thickness of the stream help determine the loudness of the falling water.
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Bringing scientists’ stories out of the shadows
Editor in chief Nancy Shute spotlights scientist Emma Rotor's contributions to weapons research in World War II.
- Health & Medicine
The teen brain is especially susceptible to the harms of THC
Marijuana that’s higher in THC and concentrated cannabis products may pose even higher risks of addiction and psychosis.
- Anthropology
Ancient primates’ unchipped teeth hint that they ate mostly fruit
Of more than 400 teeth collected, just 21 were chipped, suggesting that early primate diets were soft on their choppers.
- Space
Why the 2024 total solar eclipse will be such a big deal
The sun will be very active during the next solar eclipse to cross North America, making it an excellent viewing and scientific opportunity.
- Planetary Science
Salt may have carved out Mercury’s terrains, including glacierlike features
Mercury may contain a planetwide cache of salt that has sculpted chaotic terrain and possibly even habitable niches.
