News

  1. Math

    New largest prime discovered

    Computers have discovered a new largest prime number with a whopping 7,816,230 digits.

    By Erica Klarreich
  2. Astronomy

    Puzzling radio blasts

    Astronomers are stumped by powerful radio waves emanating from the center of our galaxy.

    By Ron Cowen

  3. Bacterial Nanny: Beewolf grows microbe for protecting young

    A European wasp leaves a smear of bacteria near each of her eggs as protection against the perils of youth.

    By Susan Milius
  4. Materials Science

    Slick Surfaces: Pressure builds to make better motor oils

    Motor oil's protection against the wear and tear of steel engine parts takes effect only at high pressures.

    By Alexandra Goho
  5. Health & Medicine

    Anoint Them with Oil: Cheap-and-easy treatment cuts infection rates in premature infants

    Massaging premature babies with sunflower-seed oil can cut bloodborne infection rates.

    By Christen Brownlee
  6. Astronomy

    Weighing In on a Star: A stellar size limit

    A new study suggests that no star in our galaxy can weigh more than 150 times the mass of the sun.

    By Ron Cowen
  7. Planetary Science

    Slowpoke: Atmosphere put brakes on meteorite that formed famed crater

    The extraterrestrial object that gouged out Arizona's Meteor Crater about 50,000 years ago struck at a speed much slower than most scientists had previously proposed.

    By Sid Perkins

  8. Monkey See, Monkey Think: Grape thefts instigate debate on primate’s mind

    Rhesus monkeys treat a competitor's averted eyes as a license to steal his or her food.

    By Bruce Bower
  9. Health & Medicine

    Blindness Hazard: Gene variant tied to macular degeneration

    People who make a particular form of an immune system protein have a heightened risk of developing old-age blindness.

    By Nathan Seppa
  10. Health & Medicine

    Injections cut need for HIV drugs

    An experimental vaccine, when given to people infected with HIV, appears to reduce their dependence on antiviral drugs.

    By Ben Harder
  11. Humans

    Death can outdo ABCs of prevention

    Abstinence and monogamy may deserve little, if any, credit for the recent drop in the proportion of Ugandans who are infected with HIV.

    By Ben Harder
  12. Health & Medicine

    Inner-brain electrode may curb depression

    Deep-brain electrical stimulation has shown promise in treating severe depression.

    By Christen Brownlee