Humans
Have a taste of our favorite food stories from 2025
This year, researchers took a bite out of culinary innovation. Check out some of our favorite food-related stories from 2025.
By Carly Kay
Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
More Stories in Life
- Health & Medicine
He made beer that’s also a vaccine. Now controversy is brewing
An NIH scientist’s maverick approach reveals legal, ethical, moral, scientific and social challenges to developing potentially life-saving vaccines.
- Microbes
This giant microbe organizes its DNA in a surprising way
3-D microscopy shows that the giant bacterium Thiovulum imperiosus squeezes its DNA into peripheral pouches, not a central mass like typical bacteria.
- Animals
Ancient DNA rewrites the tale of when and how cats left Africa
Cats were domesticated in North Africa, but spread to Europe only about 2,000 years ago. Earlier reports of “house” cats were wild cats.
- Tech
Mosquitoes use it to suck blood. Researchers used it to 3-D print
A mosquito proboscis repurposed as a 3-D printing nozzle can print filaments around 20 micrometers wide, half the width of a fine human hair.
- Life
How these strange cells may explain the origin of complex life
The tiny pantheon known as the Asgard archaea bear traits that hint at how plants, animals and fungi emerged on Earth.
- Animals
Bats might be the next bird flu wild card
Finding that vampire bats along Peru’s coast carried H5N1 antibodies raises concerns that multiple bat species could become reservoirs for the virus.
- Life
From viruses to elephants, nature thrives on tiled patterns
A compilation of 100 examples of biological tilings shows how repeated natural motifs enhance strength, flexibility and other key functions.
- Animals
Trucked-in honeybees may edge out bigger bumblebee foragers
The finding could guide beekeepers to keep hives out of most vulnerable areas of the Irish heathlands.
- Psychology
Some irritability is normal. Here’s when it’s not
Irritability is a normal response to frustrations, but it can sometimes signal an underlying mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety.
