Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Paleontology
Oldest known lizard fossil pushes group’s origins back 75 million years
CT scan reveals hidden identity of an unusual lizard fossil found years ago in the Italian Alps.
- Climate
The first Americans could have taken a coastal route into the New World
Alaskan glaciers retreated in time for ancient coastal entries of the first Americans.
- Science & Society
The power of great editors, their lessons and legacy
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute reflects on the history and legacy of Science News editors.
- Science & Society
Readers respond to pesticides, Hawking radiation and more
Readers had questions about pesticides, Hawking radiation and the intersection of science and the public.
- Genetics
The history of heredity makes for a fascinating, and chilling, read
From eugenics to gene editing, Carl Zimmer’s She Has Her Mother’s Laugh recounts genetics’ biggest discoveries.
- Life
Skeletons come in many shapes and sizes
In Skeletons, two paleobiologists recount how and why skeletons evolved, as well as the variety of forms they take and the many purposes they serve.
- Paleontology
How birds may have escaped the dino-killing asteroid impact
A tree-loving lifestyle became a risk for ancient birds in a world-changing catastrophe.
- Paleontology
The Chicxulub asteroid impact might have set off 100,000 years of global warming
About 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub asteroid impact set off 100,000 years of global warming, an analysis of oxygen in fish fossils suggests.
- Animals
Pregnant bonobos get a little delivery help from their friends
As in humans, female bonobos become helpers for mothers giving birth, data from captive apes suggest.
- Genetics
Genetic sleuthing again IDs a murder suspect in a cold case
The arrest of a second murder suspect with the help of genetic genealogy raises worries that suspicionless searches may be next.
- Genetics
What genetic tests from 23andMe, Veritas and Genos really told me about my health
A Science News reporter tried out three consumer genetic testing companies to see what people really learn about their health.
- Genetics
Consumer DNA testing promises more than it delivers
Chances are your DNA doesn’t contain dark secrets. But there may be lots of variety in results from testing company to company.
