All Stories

  1. Genetics

    Gene linked to autism in people may influence dog sociability

    DNA variants were linked to beagles’ tendency to seek human help.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  2. Planetary Science

    So long, Rosetta: End is near for comet orbiter

    During its time in orbit around comet 67P, the Rosetta spacecraft discovered diverse terrains, organic molecules and a source of water quite different from Earth’s oceans.

    By Christopher Crockett
  3. Earth

    Glass bits, charcoal hint at 56-million-year-old space rock impact

    Glassy debris and the burnt remains of wildfires suggest that a large space rock hit Earth near the start of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum warming event around 56 million years ago.

    By Thomas Sumner
  4. Health & Medicine

    Concern expands over Zika birth defects

    Infection with Zika virus in utero can trigger a spectrum of birth defects beyond microcephaly, and could potentially cause long-term health problems as well.

    By Meghan Rosen
  5. Paleontology

    Ancient microbe fossils show earliest evidence of shell making

    Armor-plated, 809-million-year-old fossilized microbes discovered in Canada are the oldest known evidence of shell making.

    By Thomas Sumner
  6. Astronomy

    Solar system sits within a major spiral arm of the Milky Way

    The solar system appears to live in one of the major spiral arms of the Milky Way, not in an offshoot as previously thought.

    By Christopher Crockett
  7. Astronomy

    Solar system sits within major spiral arm of Milky Way

    The solar system appears to live in one of the major spiral arms of the Milky Way, not in an offshoot as previously thought.

    By Christopher Crockett
  8. Animals

    New case emerging for Culex mosquito as unexpected Zika spreader

    The much-debated proposal that a Culex mosquito could help spread Zika gets some international support.

    By Susan Milius
  9. Genetics

    First ‘three-parent baby’ born from nuclear transfer

    The first human baby produced through spindle nuclear transfer was born in April, New Scientist reports.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  10. Health & Medicine

    Measles has been eliminated in the Americas, WHO says

    Thanks to wide-spread vaccination against the viral disease, measles has officially been declared eliminated from the Americas.

    By Meghan Rosen
  11. Animals

    Barnacles track whale migration

    The mix of oxygen isotopes in the shells of barnacles that latch on to baleen whales may divulge how whale migration routes have changed over millions of years.

    By Thomas Sumner
  12. Tech

    Wi-Fi can help house distinguish between members

    Using Wi-Fi, computers could one day identify individual family members in a smart home.

    By Emily Conover