News
- Paleontology
Ancient, water-loving rhinos gathered in big, hippolike herds
Squat rhinos lived in North America about 12 million years ago, congregating in huge, water-bound herds much like modern hippos.
By Jake Buehler - Earth
The United States’ oldest known rock has existed for at least 3.6 billion years
More than just a cool bit of trivia, the finding raises questions about our understanding of Earth’s history.
By Evan Howell - Animals
This caterpillar wears the body parts of insect prey
Dubbed the “bone collector,” this caterpillar found on a Hawaiian island disguises itself while stalking spider webs for trapped insects to eat.
- Space
See how the Hubble Space Telescope is still revolutionizing astronomy
Hubble is still going strong 35 years after it was launched into space. Celebrate its anniversary with some out-of-this-world images.
- Climate
Wetland bacteria could make more methane in a warming world
Warming temperatures can ramp up the activity of methane-producing bacteria in wetland soils, adding to methane emissions.
- Anthropology
A lion’s bite marks a fatal fight with a possible Roman-era gladiator
The first skeletal evidence of a gladiator show or execution involving an exotic animal comes from a Roman British man with bite marks from a lion.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Uncertainty is on the rise. Here’s how people can cope
Societal upheaval can trigger uncertainty, which makes people susceptible to cognitive traps. Experts suggest some simple tools can help.
By Sujata Gupta - Neuroscience
Mouse brains hint at why it’s so hard to forget food poisoning
Scientists mapped a neural circuit that associates an unfamiliar flavor with food poisoning symptoms in mice.
By Elise Cutts - Animals
How science can help you train your puppy
Puppies with a good grasp of basic gestures, self-confidence and impulse control grow into well-behaved adults, a new study suggests.
- Psychology
Loneliness is higher among middle-aged Americans than older ones
Across much of the world, loneliness increases from middle age to later years. That trend is reversed in the United States, a new study shows.
By Sujata Gupta - Climate
Earth’s landmasses lost trillions of tons of water this century
Rising global temperatures are driving the sharp decline in terrestrial water storage. This trend isn’t likely to change, scientists say.
- Health & Medicine
Autism rates rose again. Experts explain why
Autism rates are higher than ever before, probably because of more expansive and sensitive diagnoses. Those numbers highlight the need for more support for people with autism.
By Tina Hesman Saey and Laura Sanders