News for Curious Minds
Age-appropriate news rewritten just for you
How one of Earth's worst volcanic disasters affected societies in prehistoric Japan
A new international study led by Lund University examines what happened to population levels after the Kikai-Akahoya volcanic eruption in prehistoric Japan.
Simulations explore nuclear mitigation of asteroid threats
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers are developing three-dimensional simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth.
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors.
What an ancient volcanic eruption teaches us about resilience today
When a massive environmental disaster strikes, do societies simply collapse and disappear?
Hand-cranked device tells blood type and red cell levels in 1 minute
When someone is badly injured, doctors urgently need two facts: the patient's blood type, so that a transfusion is safe, and their hematocrit, the share of the blood made up of red blood cells, which reveals blood loss or anemia.
Salt crystals could hold clues to life beneath Enceladus's ice
The ocean beneath Saturn's moon Enceladus lies under kilometers of ice, but some of its contents do reach the surface.
Australian scavengers don't just eat everything and slink away. They approach a carcass like a buffet
When scientists talk about scavengers, you might imagine an animal sniffing out or stumbling across a carcass, eating as much as possible and slinking away.
The ambiguous costs of climate change
As human activity has increased temperatures globally, determining the costs directly incurred by climate change is challenging.
New drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
Scientists have discovered that a potential new drug can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal models by restoring gut health and blocking harmful substances from reaching the liver.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30%
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has exceeded expectations after engineers made incredibly tiny adjustments to sharpen its view of the universe.
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility.
Brain cells meant to protect us may be fueling cognitive decline
Scientists have uncovered a surprising cause of age-related cognitive decline involving brain cells previously thought to be entirely beneficial.
NASA’s Webb reveals the wild weather of a mysterious world 20 light-years away
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that a turbulent world 20 light-years away has a surprisingly orderly weather system, with three recurring atmospheric states driven by temperature changes and shifting clouds.
A 24-year study uncovers a surprising climate benefit beneath forests
Scientists have discovered that some forest soils are becoming surprisingly better at removing methane from the atmosphere as temperatures rise and rainfall declines.
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness.
Scientists predicted doomsday for November 13, 2026. Should we be worried?
In 1960, scientists predicted that runaway population growth would bring humanity to the brink of destruction on November 13, 2026, and their mathematical forecasts remained surprisingly accurate for decades.
Stanford’s new microscope reveals living cells like never before
Stanford scientists have developed a revolutionary microscope that reveals the hidden inner workings of living cells in real time, without the fluorescent labels that can interfere with observations.
SpaceX just delivered some very strange cargo to the International Space Station
SpaceX just delivered some surprisingly strange cargo to the International Space Station, including tiny brain models, 3D heart tissue, and technology for making artificial retinas in space.
James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided.
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
USC scientists have discovered a way to create a potentially renewable supply of genetically engineered immune cells that can attack cancer and strengthen the body's natural defenses.
The uranium cubes that exposed Nazi Germany’s nuclear failure
Scientists investigating Nazi Germany's secret nuclear program have uncovered evidence that its final experimental reactor was nowhere near as close to working as previously claimed.
Yale scientists discover how stress changes the brain to make memories stronger
Yale scientists have uncovered how the stress hormone cortisol helps the brain turn emotional experiences into stronger, longer-lasting memories.
Astronomers discover a strange universal rule behind black hole eruptions
Scientists have discovered that black holes of vastly different sizes appear to launch powerful jets according to the same universal rule.
Scientists discover a plastic-eating “Pac-Man” enzyme with a surprising secret
Scientists have discovered a remarkable “Pac-Man enzyme” that helps bacteria devour certain types of plastic and may offer new hope in the fight against plastic pollution.
NASA captures strange waves high above Hurricane Simon
As Hurricane Simon unleashed destructive winds and flooding along Mexico’s coast, NASA satellites captured an extraordinary sight: massive atmospheric waves rippling high above the storm.
A protein that fuels cancer could also be the key to fighting it
Scientists have discovered how to turn a protein that normally fuels cancer growth into a weapon against it.
A quantum highway just one atom high could transform superconductors
Scientists discovered that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors, making them move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another.
“Crawzilla” was huge. Then scientists found an even bigger crayfish
A nationwide search for giant crayfish uncovered a record-breaking Tennessee specimen and a surprising mystery about how big these freshwater creatures can grow.
Antarctica’s sea ice has undergone a stunning reversal
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter maximum in 2026, extending a remarkable decline that began after years of record-breaking growth.
Scientists discover how exercise reverses muscle aging
Scientists have uncovered a hidden biological mechanism that helps explain how exercise can reverse some of the damage caused by muscle aging.
Mysterious brain activity under anesthesia challenges what we know about consciousness
Even under general anesthesia, the human brain can analyze language, recognize different types of words, and predict what comes next in a story, according to a surprising discovery by Baylor researchers.
Eating late at night linked to up to 30% higher risk of liver disease
Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University.
A fungus is threatening the world’s food supply. Scientists just found a new defense
Scientists have discovered a potential new weapon against a devastating fungus that threatens rice, wheat, and barley worldwide.
Arctic sea ice hits another troubling low in 2026
Arctic sea ice is shrinking in both winter and summer, with satellite records revealing that the region's remaining ice is becoming thinner, younger, and more vulnerable to melting.
Strokes have nearly doubled among younger adults, and scientists aren't sure why
Strokes are becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, with rates nearly doubling among people ages 20 to 54 over nearly three decades.
Ozempic and Wegovy linked to rare risk of sudden vision loss
Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a slightly increased risk of a rare condition that can cause sudden, potentially permanent vision loss.
A forgotten fossil reveals a fearsome dinosaur with giant claws
A 120-million-year-old fossil forgotten in a museum for nearly a century has revealed a terrifying new dinosaur that may have been more dangerous to humans than a T.
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of the Moon’s two faces
Scientists may have solved a long-standing mystery about why the Moon’s two sides are so different, using samples collected from its farside for the first time.
AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel
Scientists used artificial intelligence to uncover nearly 10,000 chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, revealing crucial pathways that traditional models had missed.
James Webb reveals a massive cosmic structure that challenges our understanding of the Universe
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed an ancient galaxy cluster with an unexpectedly dense concentration of dark matter, challenging theories about how the universe developed.
How one of Earth's worst volcanic disasters affected societies in prehistoric Japan
A new international study led by Lund University examines what happened to population levels after the Kikai-Akahoya volcanic eruption in prehistoric Japan.
Simulations explore nuclear mitigation of asteroid threats
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers are developing three-dimensional simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth.
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors.
What an ancient volcanic eruption teaches us about resilience today
When a massive environmental disaster strikes, do societies simply collapse and disappear?
Hand-cranked device tells blood type and red cell levels in 1 minute
When someone is badly injured, doctors urgently need two facts: the patient's blood type, so that a transfusion is safe, and their hematocrit, the share of the blood made up of red blood cells, which reveals blood loss or anemia.
Salt crystals could hold clues to life beneath Enceladus's ice
The ocean beneath Saturn's moon Enceladus lies under kilometers of ice, but some of its contents do reach the surface.
Australian scavengers don't just eat everything and slink away. They approach a carcass like a buffet
When scientists talk about scavengers, you might imagine an animal sniffing out or stumbling across a carcass, eating as much as possible and slinking away.
The ambiguous costs of climate change
As human activity has increased temperatures globally, determining the costs directly incurred by climate change is challenging.
New drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
Scientists have discovered that a potential new drug can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal models by restoring gut health and blocking harmful substances from reaching the liver.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30%
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has exceeded expectations after engineers made incredibly tiny adjustments to sharpen its view of the universe.
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility.
Brain cells meant to protect us may be fueling cognitive decline
Scientists have uncovered a surprising cause of age-related cognitive decline involving brain cells previously thought to be entirely beneficial.
NASA’s Webb reveals the wild weather of a mysterious world 20 light-years away
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that a turbulent world 20 light-years away has a surprisingly orderly weather system, with three recurring atmospheric states driven by temperature changes and shifting clouds.
A 24-year study uncovers a surprising climate benefit beneath forests
Scientists have discovered that some forest soils are becoming surprisingly better at removing methane from the atmosphere as temperatures rise and rainfall declines.
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness.
Scientists predicted doomsday for November 13, 2026. Should we be worried?
In 1960, scientists predicted that runaway population growth would bring humanity to the brink of destruction on November 13, 2026, and their mathematical forecasts remained surprisingly accurate for decades.
Stanford’s new microscope reveals living cells like never before
Stanford scientists have developed a revolutionary microscope that reveals the hidden inner workings of living cells in real time, without the fluorescent labels that can interfere with observations.
SpaceX just delivered some very strange cargo to the International Space Station
SpaceX just delivered some surprisingly strange cargo to the International Space Station, including tiny brain models, 3D heart tissue, and technology for making artificial retinas in space.
James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided.
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
USC scientists have discovered a way to create a potentially renewable supply of genetically engineered immune cells that can attack cancer and strengthen the body's natural defenses.
The uranium cubes that exposed Nazi Germany’s nuclear failure
Scientists investigating Nazi Germany's secret nuclear program have uncovered evidence that its final experimental reactor was nowhere near as close to working as previously claimed.
Yale scientists discover how stress changes the brain to make memories stronger
Yale scientists have uncovered how the stress hormone cortisol helps the brain turn emotional experiences into stronger, longer-lasting memories.
Astronomers discover a strange universal rule behind black hole eruptions
Scientists have discovered that black holes of vastly different sizes appear to launch powerful jets according to the same universal rule.
Scientists discover a plastic-eating “Pac-Man” enzyme with a surprising secret
Scientists have discovered a remarkable “Pac-Man enzyme” that helps bacteria devour certain types of plastic and may offer new hope in the fight against plastic pollution.
NASA captures strange waves high above Hurricane Simon
As Hurricane Simon unleashed destructive winds and flooding along Mexico’s coast, NASA satellites captured an extraordinary sight: massive atmospheric waves rippling high above the storm.
A protein that fuels cancer could also be the key to fighting it
Scientists have discovered how to turn a protein that normally fuels cancer growth into a weapon against it.
A quantum highway just one atom high could transform superconductors
Scientists discovered that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors, making them move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another.
“Crawzilla” was huge. Then scientists found an even bigger crayfish
A nationwide search for giant crayfish uncovered a record-breaking Tennessee specimen and a surprising mystery about how big these freshwater creatures can grow.
Antarctica’s sea ice has undergone a stunning reversal
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter maximum in 2026, extending a remarkable decline that began after years of record-breaking growth.
Scientists discover how exercise reverses muscle aging
Scientists have uncovered a hidden biological mechanism that helps explain how exercise can reverse some of the damage caused by muscle aging.
Mysterious brain activity under anesthesia challenges what we know about consciousness
Even under general anesthesia, the human brain can analyze language, recognize different types of words, and predict what comes next in a story, according to a surprising discovery by Baylor researchers.
Eating late at night linked to up to 30% higher risk of liver disease
Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University.
A fungus is threatening the world’s food supply. Scientists just found a new defense
Scientists have discovered a potential new weapon against a devastating fungus that threatens rice, wheat, and barley worldwide.
Arctic sea ice hits another troubling low in 2026
Arctic sea ice is shrinking in both winter and summer, with satellite records revealing that the region's remaining ice is becoming thinner, younger, and more vulnerable to melting.
Strokes have nearly doubled among younger adults, and scientists aren't sure why
Strokes are becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, with rates nearly doubling among people ages 20 to 54 over nearly three decades.
Ozempic and Wegovy linked to rare risk of sudden vision loss
Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a slightly increased risk of a rare condition that can cause sudden, potentially permanent vision loss.
A forgotten fossil reveals a fearsome dinosaur with giant claws
A 120-million-year-old fossil forgotten in a museum for nearly a century has revealed a terrifying new dinosaur that may have been more dangerous to humans than a T.
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of the Moon’s two faces
Scientists may have solved a long-standing mystery about why the Moon’s two sides are so different, using samples collected from its farside for the first time.
AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel
Scientists used artificial intelligence to uncover nearly 10,000 chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, revealing crucial pathways that traditional models had missed.
James Webb reveals a massive cosmic structure that challenges our understanding of the Universe
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed an ancient galaxy cluster with an unexpectedly dense concentration of dark matter, challenging theories about how the universe developed.
How one of Earth's worst volcanic disasters affected societies in prehistoric Japan
A new international study led by Lund University examines what happened to population levels after the Kikai-Akahoya volcanic eruption in prehistoric Japan.
Simulations explore nuclear mitigation of asteroid threats
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers are developing three-dimensional simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth.
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors.
What an ancient volcanic eruption teaches us about resilience today
When a massive environmental disaster strikes, do societies simply collapse and disappear?
Hand-cranked device tells blood type and red cell levels in 1 minute
When someone is badly injured, doctors urgently need two facts: the patient's blood type, so that a transfusion is safe, and their hematocrit, the share of the blood made up of red blood cells, which reveals blood loss or anemia.
Salt crystals could hold clues to life beneath Enceladus's ice
The ocean beneath Saturn's moon Enceladus lies under kilometers of ice, but some of its contents do reach the surface.
Australian scavengers don't just eat everything and slink away. They approach a carcass like a buffet
When scientists talk about scavengers, you might imagine an animal sniffing out or stumbling across a carcass, eating as much as possible and slinking away.
The ambiguous costs of climate change
As human activity has increased temperatures globally, determining the costs directly incurred by climate change is challenging.
New drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
Scientists have discovered that a potential new drug can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal models by restoring gut health and blocking harmful substances from reaching the liver.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30%
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has exceeded expectations after engineers made incredibly tiny adjustments to sharpen its view of the universe.
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility.
Brain cells meant to protect us may be fueling cognitive decline
Scientists have uncovered a surprising cause of age-related cognitive decline involving brain cells previously thought to be entirely beneficial.
NASA’s Webb reveals the wild weather of a mysterious world 20 light-years away
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that a turbulent world 20 light-years away has a surprisingly orderly weather system, with three recurring atmospheric states driven by temperature changes and shifting clouds.
A 24-year study uncovers a surprising climate benefit beneath forests
Scientists have discovered that some forest soils are becoming surprisingly better at removing methane from the atmosphere as temperatures rise and rainfall declines.
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness.
Scientists predicted doomsday for November 13, 2026. Should we be worried?
In 1960, scientists predicted that runaway population growth would bring humanity to the brink of destruction on November 13, 2026, and their mathematical forecasts remained surprisingly accurate for decades.
Stanford’s new microscope reveals living cells like never before
Stanford scientists have developed a revolutionary microscope that reveals the hidden inner workings of living cells in real time, without the fluorescent labels that can interfere with observations.
SpaceX just delivered some very strange cargo to the International Space Station
SpaceX just delivered some surprisingly strange cargo to the International Space Station, including tiny brain models, 3D heart tissue, and technology for making artificial retinas in space.
James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided.
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
USC scientists have discovered a way to create a potentially renewable supply of genetically engineered immune cells that can attack cancer and strengthen the body's natural defenses.
The uranium cubes that exposed Nazi Germany’s nuclear failure
Scientists investigating Nazi Germany's secret nuclear program have uncovered evidence that its final experimental reactor was nowhere near as close to working as previously claimed.
Yale scientists discover how stress changes the brain to make memories stronger
Yale scientists have uncovered how the stress hormone cortisol helps the brain turn emotional experiences into stronger, longer-lasting memories.
Astronomers discover a strange universal rule behind black hole eruptions
Scientists have discovered that black holes of vastly different sizes appear to launch powerful jets according to the same universal rule.
Scientists discover a plastic-eating “Pac-Man” enzyme with a surprising secret
Scientists have discovered a remarkable “Pac-Man enzyme” that helps bacteria devour certain types of plastic and may offer new hope in the fight against plastic pollution.
NASA captures strange waves high above Hurricane Simon
As Hurricane Simon unleashed destructive winds and flooding along Mexico’s coast, NASA satellites captured an extraordinary sight: massive atmospheric waves rippling high above the storm.
A protein that fuels cancer could also be the key to fighting it
Scientists have discovered how to turn a protein that normally fuels cancer growth into a weapon against it.
A quantum highway just one atom high could transform superconductors
Scientists discovered that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors, making them move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another.
“Crawzilla” was huge. Then scientists found an even bigger crayfish
A nationwide search for giant crayfish uncovered a record-breaking Tennessee specimen and a surprising mystery about how big these freshwater creatures can grow.
Antarctica’s sea ice has undergone a stunning reversal
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter maximum in 2026, extending a remarkable decline that began after years of record-breaking growth.
Scientists discover how exercise reverses muscle aging
Scientists have uncovered a hidden biological mechanism that helps explain how exercise can reverse some of the damage caused by muscle aging.
Mysterious brain activity under anesthesia challenges what we know about consciousness
Even under general anesthesia, the human brain can analyze language, recognize different types of words, and predict what comes next in a story, according to a surprising discovery by Baylor researchers.
Eating late at night linked to up to 30% higher risk of liver disease
Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University.
A fungus is threatening the world’s food supply. Scientists just found a new defense
Scientists have discovered a potential new weapon against a devastating fungus that threatens rice, wheat, and barley worldwide.
Arctic sea ice hits another troubling low in 2026
Arctic sea ice is shrinking in both winter and summer, with satellite records revealing that the region's remaining ice is becoming thinner, younger, and more vulnerable to melting.
Strokes have nearly doubled among younger adults, and scientists aren't sure why
Strokes are becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, with rates nearly doubling among people ages 20 to 54 over nearly three decades.
Ozempic and Wegovy linked to rare risk of sudden vision loss
Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a slightly increased risk of a rare condition that can cause sudden, potentially permanent vision loss.
A forgotten fossil reveals a fearsome dinosaur with giant claws
A 120-million-year-old fossil forgotten in a museum for nearly a century has revealed a terrifying new dinosaur that may have been more dangerous to humans than a T.
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of the Moon’s two faces
Scientists may have solved a long-standing mystery about why the Moon’s two sides are so different, using samples collected from its farside for the first time.
AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel
Scientists used artificial intelligence to uncover nearly 10,000 chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, revealing crucial pathways that traditional models had missed.
James Webb reveals a massive cosmic structure that challenges our understanding of the Universe
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed an ancient galaxy cluster with an unexpectedly dense concentration of dark matter, challenging theories about how the universe developed.
How one of Earth's worst volcanic disasters affected societies in prehistoric Japan
A new international study led by Lund University examines what happened to population levels after the Kikai-Akahoya volcanic eruption in prehistoric Japan.
Simulations explore nuclear mitigation of asteroid threats
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers are developing three-dimensional simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth.
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors.
What an ancient volcanic eruption teaches us about resilience today
When a massive environmental disaster strikes, do societies simply collapse and disappear?
Hand-cranked device tells blood type and red cell levels in 1 minute
When someone is badly injured, doctors urgently need two facts: the patient's blood type, so that a transfusion is safe, and their hematocrit, the share of the blood made up of red blood cells, which reveals blood loss or anemia.
Salt crystals could hold clues to life beneath Enceladus's ice
The ocean beneath Saturn's moon Enceladus lies under kilometers of ice, but some of its contents do reach the surface.
Australian scavengers don't just eat everything and slink away. They approach a carcass like a buffet
When scientists talk about scavengers, you might imagine an animal sniffing out or stumbling across a carcass, eating as much as possible and slinking away.
The ambiguous costs of climate change
As human activity has increased temperatures globally, determining the costs directly incurred by climate change is challenging.
New drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
Scientists have discovered that a potential new drug can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal models by restoring gut health and blocking harmful substances from reaching the liver.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30%
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has exceeded expectations after engineers made incredibly tiny adjustments to sharpen its view of the universe.
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility.
Brain cells meant to protect us may be fueling cognitive decline
Scientists have uncovered a surprising cause of age-related cognitive decline involving brain cells previously thought to be entirely beneficial.
NASA’s Webb reveals the wild weather of a mysterious world 20 light-years away
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that a turbulent world 20 light-years away has a surprisingly orderly weather system, with three recurring atmospheric states driven by temperature changes and shifting clouds.
A 24-year study uncovers a surprising climate benefit beneath forests
Scientists have discovered that some forest soils are becoming surprisingly better at removing methane from the atmosphere as temperatures rise and rainfall declines.
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness.
Scientists predicted doomsday for November 13, 2026. Should we be worried?
In 1960, scientists predicted that runaway population growth would bring humanity to the brink of destruction on November 13, 2026, and their mathematical forecasts remained surprisingly accurate for decades.
Stanford’s new microscope reveals living cells like never before
Stanford scientists have developed a revolutionary microscope that reveals the hidden inner workings of living cells in real time, without the fluorescent labels that can interfere with observations.
SpaceX just delivered some very strange cargo to the International Space Station
SpaceX just delivered some surprisingly strange cargo to the International Space Station, including tiny brain models, 3D heart tissue, and technology for making artificial retinas in space.
James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided.
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
USC scientists have discovered a way to create a potentially renewable supply of genetically engineered immune cells that can attack cancer and strengthen the body's natural defenses.
The uranium cubes that exposed Nazi Germany’s nuclear failure
Scientists investigating Nazi Germany's secret nuclear program have uncovered evidence that its final experimental reactor was nowhere near as close to working as previously claimed.
Yale scientists discover how stress changes the brain to make memories stronger
Yale scientists have uncovered how the stress hormone cortisol helps the brain turn emotional experiences into stronger, longer-lasting memories.
Astronomers discover a strange universal rule behind black hole eruptions
Scientists have discovered that black holes of vastly different sizes appear to launch powerful jets according to the same universal rule.
Scientists discover a plastic-eating “Pac-Man” enzyme with a surprising secret
Scientists have discovered a remarkable “Pac-Man enzyme” that helps bacteria devour certain types of plastic and may offer new hope in the fight against plastic pollution.
NASA captures strange waves high above Hurricane Simon
As Hurricane Simon unleashed destructive winds and flooding along Mexico’s coast, NASA satellites captured an extraordinary sight: massive atmospheric waves rippling high above the storm.
A protein that fuels cancer could also be the key to fighting it
Scientists have discovered how to turn a protein that normally fuels cancer growth into a weapon against it.
A quantum highway just one atom high could transform superconductors
Scientists discovered that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors, making them move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another.
“Crawzilla” was huge. Then scientists found an even bigger crayfish
A nationwide search for giant crayfish uncovered a record-breaking Tennessee specimen and a surprising mystery about how big these freshwater creatures can grow.
Antarctica’s sea ice has undergone a stunning reversal
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter maximum in 2026, extending a remarkable decline that began after years of record-breaking growth.
Scientists discover how exercise reverses muscle aging
Scientists have uncovered a hidden biological mechanism that helps explain how exercise can reverse some of the damage caused by muscle aging.
Mysterious brain activity under anesthesia challenges what we know about consciousness
Even under general anesthesia, the human brain can analyze language, recognize different types of words, and predict what comes next in a story, according to a surprising discovery by Baylor researchers.
Eating late at night linked to up to 30% higher risk of liver disease
Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University.
A fungus is threatening the world’s food supply. Scientists just found a new defense
Scientists have discovered a potential new weapon against a devastating fungus that threatens rice, wheat, and barley worldwide.
Arctic sea ice hits another troubling low in 2026
Arctic sea ice is shrinking in both winter and summer, with satellite records revealing that the region's remaining ice is becoming thinner, younger, and more vulnerable to melting.
Strokes have nearly doubled among younger adults, and scientists aren't sure why
Strokes are becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, with rates nearly doubling among people ages 20 to 54 over nearly three decades.
Ozempic and Wegovy linked to rare risk of sudden vision loss
Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a slightly increased risk of a rare condition that can cause sudden, potentially permanent vision loss.
A forgotten fossil reveals a fearsome dinosaur with giant claws
A 120-million-year-old fossil forgotten in a museum for nearly a century has revealed a terrifying new dinosaur that may have been more dangerous to humans than a T.
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of the Moon’s two faces
Scientists may have solved a long-standing mystery about why the Moon’s two sides are so different, using samples collected from its farside for the first time.
AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel
Scientists used artificial intelligence to uncover nearly 10,000 chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, revealing crucial pathways that traditional models had missed.
James Webb reveals a massive cosmic structure that challenges our understanding of the Universe
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed an ancient galaxy cluster with an unexpectedly dense concentration of dark matter, challenging theories about how the universe developed.