News

Earth

Naked planet

Scientists officially launch OneGeology, a project that will produce a single digital map of the planet’s geological formations.

Life

His master’s yawn

When humans open up for a jaw-stretcher, so do their best friends.

Space

Surprising signal

Potential contaminant found on Red Planet does not rule out its prospect for habitability.

Life

Eat less, weigh more

Separate neurons in the nematode brain control eating and fat-building. The discovery may help explain some mysteries of obesity.

Space

In the moon’s shadow

NASA broadcasts Aug. 1 total solar eclipse.

Life

Time to chill

Well-preserved fossils deposited in an Antarctic lake about 14 million years ago pin down when a large part of the now-icy continent most recently dipped below freezing.

Health & Medicine

Nanomagnets tackle cancer

Under the influence of an external magnetic field, tiny magnets act as highly localized space heaters, warming to temperatures that kill adjacent cancer cells.

Life

Smallest known snake

New species is thin as a spaghetti noodle but shorter.

Physics

Chem 101

At high pressures, inner electrons begin to affect the structure of lithium.

Space

Officially ice

Phoenix Mars Lander detects water, a landmark that, along with other successes, prompts NASA to extend the mission.

Humans

Wake-up call for sleep apnea

A large, long-term study of sleep apnea links the breathing disorder to increased risk of death.

Chemistry

Small steps toward big energy gains

New studies with different fuel cell catalysts show promising results.