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Animals

Too many choices complicate female frogs’ sex lives

In the lab, female frogs were less likely to choose preferred males as mating calls increased, potentially giving other males a better shot.

Health & Medicine

Newborn screening for cancer risk could save lives. Should it be done?

Genetic screening that identifies cancer-linked mutations in newborns could give doctors a head start on treatment, but it comes with risks.

Science & Society

Bamboo toilet paper intrigued me. Reality turned out to be messy

What makes a greener wipe? Researchers have more to say about bamboo's ecological risks, given limited carbon footprint data.

Space

The largest known galaxy is wider than 17 Milky Ways

Scientists have identified the edge of galaxy IC 1101 and crowned it with the title of largest known galaxy.

Animals

Sad or afraid? Dogs may be able to read your face

A new brain-imaging study suggests that dogs may be able to distinguish between certain negative human emotions just by looking at people’s faces.

Science & Society

Science backs calls for limiting screens in schools

School device use links with lower test scores and distractions abound. But reversing the entrenched pandemic pivot to screens will be hard.

Archaeology

Ancient Greek rings may have been forged with iron from meteorites

Chemical analysis of Bronze Age iron objects indicate that Greek nobles may have indulged in signet rings made with precious metal from the sky.

Artificial Intelligence

AI may respond differently to bosses and subordinates

In simulated conversations, social hierarchy can sway AI agents, making lower-status systems more likely to follow harmful requests.

Health & Medicine

Here’s what the first mRNA flu vaccine could mean for flu season

Compared with standard flu shots, Moderna’s mFlusiva generates stronger, longer-lasting immunity and is more effective at preventing infection, data show.

Anthropology

Sugar may have been a key ingredient in human evolution

A sweet tooth for sugars from fruits and honey may have helped fuel brain growth in our primate cousins and early human ancestors, a new study suggests.

Paleontology

Heat-trapping asteroid dust may have incinerated the dinosaurs within hours  

Within minutes of impact, debris began heating Earth’s atmosphere. Fine dust trapped that heat, potentially killing the dinosaurs quickly.

Space

These tiny swirls on the sun could trigger solar flares 

Scientists have finally seen a long-predicted motion on the sun, and it may help explain explosive solar activity.