News
- Health & Medicine
A mind for optimism
When predicting the risk of unfortunate events, people heed positive news better than ill tidings.
- Earth
Trees have a tipping point
Satellite data confirm that the amount of forest cover can shift suddenly in response to relatively small changes in fire frequency and rainfall.
- Humans
Stone Age paint shop unearthed
The discovery of tools for making a substance possibly used in body decoration suggests humans could invent and plan by 100,000 years ago.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Columbus’ arrival linked to carbon dioxide drop
The depopulation of the Americas due to introduced European diseases may have spurred Europe's Little Ice Age.
By Devin Powell - Health & Medicine
Vaccine makes headway against trachoma
An experimental immunization might someday aid public health efforts to counter a blinding disease.
By Nathan Seppa - Chemistry
Cloud seeding by trees could alter precipitation, climate
Some tree pollens shed molecules that can affect precipitation.
By Janet Raloff - Life
Fossil moth reveals colorful hue
Paleontologists deduce how ridges on the creature’s wings would have reflected light.
By Devin Powell - Space
European Planetary Science Conference and AAS Division for Planetary Sciences
News from a joint conference held October 2-7 in Nantes, France.
By Science News - Earth
Solar changes help create cold northern winters
Fluctuations in ultraviolet light can set up frigid, snowy conditions across parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
- Space
Saturn’s rings tell a comet’s tale
Ripples made by a celestial impact 600 years ago can still be seen today.
By Nadia Drake - Life
When snowpack shrinks, elk can binge on aspen
As winters warm in the Rockies, majestic grazers may be threatening iconic Western tree.
By Susan Milius - Life
Stem cell advance uses cloning
A method that uses eggs to do genetic reprogramming is successful in humans.