Science News Staff

All Stories by Science News Staff

  1. Particle Physics

    More precision added to mass estimate of electron

    The electron has been weighed with unprecedented precision. Its new and improved mass is 17 times as precise as the previous best estimate.

  2. Life

    Fins and wings alike share design features

    Animals have adapted a number of different ways to swim and fly. But new research suggests that wings, fins and flukes share a couple of basic design parameters.

  3. Life

    Questions raised about new method for making stem cells

    A January study showing that stem cells can be produced by dipping adult cells in a simple acid bath is now under investigation.

  4. Animals

    Elephants offer a reassuring touch in stressful times

    Elephants seem to comfort their comrades in times of need, hinting that the animals may have the capacity for complicated mental feats such as empathy.

  5. Life

    Happy birthday, Mr. Darwin

    A male rove beetle that Charles Darwin collected in Argentina in 1832 has finally turned up and been named in his honor.

  6. Health & Medicine

    Feedback

    Calculating vaccines' impact, cat-induced bird death toll revised, taming wildcat genetics, and praise for The Science Life.

  7. Planetary Science

    Moon like blue cheese?

    The lunar surface turns out to have more grit than scientists thought.

  8. Climate

    Biggest climate warmers

    The United States, China, Russia, Brazil, India, Germany and the United Kingdom are responsible for more than 60 percent of the 0.74 degree Celsius rise in global average temperature observed from 1906 to 2005.

  9. Materials Science

    Graphene strands free electrons from resistance

    Ribbons of carbon can form electron freeways, potentially paving the way to new kinds of electronics.

  10. Planetary Science

    Mars ‘air’ found thinner

    Readers get an update on the Red Planet's atmosphere and how new probes land there with parachutes.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Smoking equality

    A study of tobacco smoking patterns reports that more men than women smoke in every country except Sweden.

  12. Health & Medicine

    H7N9 flu makes a comeback

    Scientists warn that the risk that the illness could spread remains.