News
- Life
These tube-shaped creatures may be the earliest known parasites
Fossils from over 500 million years ago might be the first known example of parasitism in the fossil record, though the evidence isn’t conclusive.
- Humans
The Dead Sea Scrolls contain genetic clues to their origins
Animal DNA is providing researchers with hints on how to assemble what amounts to a giant jigsaw puzzle of ancient manuscript fragments.
- Earth
Chicxulub collision put Earth’s crust in hot water for over a million years
An asteroid impact 66 million years ago caused hot fluids to circulate in the crust, creating conditions that may have been ideal for microbial life.
- Space
A weird cosmic flare called the ‘Cow’ now has company
Scientists have now found three similar luminous, short-lived bursts of light, part of a class known as fast blue optical transients.
- Life
More ‘murder hornets’ are turning up. Here’s what you need to know
Two more specimens of the world’s largest hornet have just been found in North America.
- Genetics
Genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s also raise the risk of getting COVID-19
People who have the APOE4 genetic variant appear to be more vulnerable to the disease, but it’s unclear why.
- Life
Neon colors may help some corals stage a comeback from bleaching
When some corals bleach, they turn bright colors. Stunning hues may be part of a response that helps the corals recover and reunite with their algae.
- Planetary Science
Meteorites might be more likely to strike near the equator
Meteorites from Antarctica have helped scientists assess the total number likely to hit Earth every year — and where they are most likely to fall.
- Archaeology
A biblical-era Israeli shrine shows signs of the earliest ritual use of marijuana
Chemical analyses reveal a residue of cannabis and animal dung on an altar from a biblical-era fortress in use more than 2,700 years ago.
- Climate
How more powerful Pacific cyclones may be fueling global warming
Increasingly strong storms in the North Pacific may be speeding up the fast-moving Kuroshio Current — which could bring more heat to high latitudes.
- Health & Medicine
Wastewater could provide up to a week of warning for a COVID-19 spike
A new study adds to evidence that sewage may serve as an early warning signal that the coronavirus has hit a community.
- Space
SpaceX’s astronaut launch marks a milestone for commercial spaceflight
Two NASA astronauts aboard the privately built Crew Dragon capsule are the first to be sent into orbit from U.S. soil since 2011.
