News
-
- Space
MESSENGER eases into Mercury’s orbit
After three flybys, a NASA spacecraft settles in for a closer look at the first planet.
By Ron Cowen - Chemistry
A bit of fiber makes for sudsier beer
An understanding of bubbly beginnings points to a new way to foam up slow-pouring stout brews.
By Devin Powell - Life
In evolution, last really can be first
By tracking bacteria for thousands of generations, researchers show how small DNA changes can eventually put underdogs on top.
- Archaeology
Pueblo traded for chocolate big-time
New evidence of ancient Pueblo cacao drinking feeds a theory of long-distance trade.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Record ozone thinning looms in Arctic
Depletion could expose the northern midlatitudes to higher-than-normal ultraviolet radiation in coming weeks.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Cave formations record Black Sea deluges
Stalagmites in a Turkish grotto document 670,000 years of flooding.
- Astronomy
New study gives dark energy a boost
Measurements provide further evidence for a cosmic push that is accelerating the expansion of the universe.
By Ron Cowen - Earth
Japan quake location a surprise
Based on regional tectonics, seismologists expected the biggest events in the island's southern half.
By Devin Powell - Humans
New stars of science honored in D.C.
The 2011 Intel Science Talent Search awards prizes to 10 young researchers.
- Life
Don’t trust any elephant under 60
Herds with older leaders are more attuned to danger, a study finds.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Blood tests could forewarn of emphysema
Certain microparticles or proteins suggest nascent disease, even in smokers who appear healthy, two studies show.
By Nathan Seppa