One NASA science mission saved from Trump’s cuts, but others still in limbo
"Damage is being done already. Even if funding is reinstated, we have already lost people."
Stephen Clark
–
|
12
Science // Science & Exploration
Chemistry Nobel prize awarded for building ordered polymers with metal
Three researchers share prize for structured polymers called metal-organic frameworks.
John Timmer
–
|
43
Floating electrons on a sea of helium
Yes, it's another potential qubit. But it's also some very cool physics.
John Timmer
–
|
38
2025 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded for macroscale quantum tunneling
John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John Martinis built an electrical circuit-based oscillator on a microchip.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
42
Natural disasters are a rising burden for the National Guard
New Pentagon data show climate impacts shaping reservists’ mission.
Inside Climate News
–
|
50
The neurons that let us see what isn’t there
A standard optical illusion triggers specific neurons in the visual system of mice.
Federica Sgorbissa
–
|
48
Here’s the real reason Endurance sank
The ship wasn't designed to withstand the powerful ice compression forces—and Shackleton knew it.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
118
Pentagon contract figures show ULA’s Vulcan rocket is getting more expensive
A close examination of this year's military contracts reveals some interesting things.
Stephen Clark
–
|
96
Most Read
How different mushrooms learned the same psychedelic trick
Scientists may have additional tools to produce psilocybin to use for medical purposes.
The Conversation
–
|
64
A biological 0-day? Threat-screening tools may miss AI-designed proteins.
Ordering DNA for AI-designed toxins doesn't always raise red flags.
John Timmer
–
|
41
Scientists revive old Bulgarian recipe to make yogurt with ants
Ants carry lactic and acetic acid bacteria that help coagulate milk, as well as formic acid to acidify it.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
76
Blue Origin aims to land next New Glenn booster, then reuse it for Moon mission
"We fully intend to recover the New Glenn first stage on this next launch."
Stephen Clark
–
|
82
Trump offers universities a choice: Comply for preferential funding
Who needs peer review? Plan offers easier grants to schools that agree to limits.
John Timmer
–
|
338
World-famous primatologist Jane Goodall dead at 91
Goodall's immersive studies of chimpanzees in Africa redefined what it means to be human.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
44
Megafauna was the meat of choice for South American hunters
Giant sloths are extinct in part because they were tasty and nutritious.
Kiona N. Smith
–
|
68
Researchers find a carbon-rich moon-forming disk around giant exoplanet
Lots of carbon molecules but little sign of water in a super-Jupiter's disk.
John Timmer
–
|
8
How “prebunking” can restore public trust and other September highlights
The evolution of Taylor Swift's dialect, a rare Einstein cross, neutrino laser beams, and more.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
38
SpaceX has a few tricks up its sleeve for the last Starship flight of the year
SpaceX will reuse a Super Heavy booster with 24 previously flown Raptor engines.
Stephen Clark
–
|
119
Is the “million-year-old” skull from China a Denisovan or something else?
Now that we know what Denisovans looked like, they’re turning up everywhere.
Kiona N. Smith
–
|
44
Scientists unlock secret to Venus flytrap’s hair-trigger response
Ion channel at base of plant's sensory hairs amplifies initial signals above critical threshold.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
28
ESA will pay an Italian company nearly $50 million to design a mini-Starship
This is a "step forward in the transition of European launch systems toward full reusability."
Stephen Clark
–
|
86
150 million-year-old pterosaur cold case has finally been solved
The storm literally snapped the bones in their wings.
Elizabeth Rayne
–
|
31
The current war on science, and who’s behind it
A vaccine developer and a climate scientist walk into a bar write a book.
Diana Gitig
–
|
346
Scientists want to treat complex bone fractures with a bone-healing gun
It's a bit like a handheld 3D printer, with all the accuracy challenges that implies.
Jacek Krywko
–
|
52
50+ scientific societies sign letter objecting to Trump executive order
Letter urges Congress to take action to safeguard integrity of independent peer-review system.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
118
Fiji’s ants might be the canary in the coal mine for the insect apocalypse
A new genetic technique lets museum samples track population dynamics.
Jacek Krywko
–
|
22
High above the equator, Russia is stalking satellites used by NATO armed forces
"Russia and China already occupy important strategic hills and mountains in space."
Stephen Clark
–
|
59
Study: Planned budget cuts would hurt drug development badly
Drug patents frequently cite research that the NIH wouldn't be able to fund.
John Timmer
–
|
70
DeepMind’s robotic ballet: An AI for coordinating manufacturing robots
An AI figures out how robots can get jobs done without getting in each other's way.
Jacek Krywko
–
|
22
Newly found ancient Egyptian port may lead to Cleopatra’s tomb
NatGeo documentary Cleopatra's Final Secret chronicles archaeologist Kathleen Martinez's 20-year search.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
35
A “cosmic carpool” is traveling to a distant space weather observation post
"It’s like a bus. You wait for one and then three come at the same time."
Stephen Clark
–
|
18
Scientists catch a shark threesome on camera
"It was over quickly for both males, one after the other. The first took 63 seconds, the other 47."
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
57
Judge lets construction on an offshore wind farm resume
Judge calls decision to stop construction “the height of arbitrary and capricious.”
John Timmer
–
|
115
What climate targets? Top fossil fuel producing nations keep boosting output
Top producers are planning to mine and drill even more of the fuels in 2030.
Inside Climate News
–
|
117
Chimps consume alcohol equivalent of nearly 2 drinks a day
It's the latest evidence in support of Robert Dudley's controversial "drunk monkey" hypothesis.
Jennifer Ouellette
–
|
95
Despite congressional threat, National Academies releases new climate report
Things have changed since 2009: We're more certain about the problems.
John Timmer
–
|
77