Earth & Environment
Why Jupiter has more giant moons than Saturn
Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in our solar system, and both are surrounded by dozens—even hundreds—of moons.
But their moon systems look...
Why living at high altitude could prevent diabetes
For many years, scientists have noticed an interesting pattern. People who live at high altitudes, where the air contains less oxygen, tend to have...
Up to 6.4 million children could lose citizenship rights under new proposal
A new study suggests that ending birthright citizenship in the United States could have far-reaching effects, especially for Asian and Latino communities.
Researchers from Penn...
Five things to know about rare earth elements
Aside from oil, rare earth elements may be the most buzzworthy thing coming out of the ground these days.
Headlines trumpet news about new partnerships...
A sleeping giant awakens: Japan’s Kikai volcano is slowly refilling with magma
Scientists have discovered that one of the most powerful volcanoes in Earth’s recent history is slowly building up magma again—more than 7,000 years after...
Scientists discover lost ice age world beneath Texas cave
A surprising discovery deep inside an underwater cave in Texas has revealed a hidden snapshot of life from the Ice Age.
A paleontologist from the...
Why winter could be the most dangerous season for your heart
Many people worry about heat waves and rising temperatures, but new research suggests that cold weather may be a greater danger to heart health.
A...
Not so lonely after all: Bull sharks choose friends and form social bonds
Sharks are often seen as solitary and dangerous animals that roam the ocean alone. But new research is challenging that image.
A long-term study of...
A tiny “ion pump” could make clean water cheaper and power future technologies
Scientists have developed a new kind of device that can move charged particles through water using very little energy—and without any moving parts.
This breakthrough...
Study finds surprising cancer link between cats and humans
A large new study has made an exciting discovery about cancer in cats, and it may also help improve how we treat cancer in...
Earth was already moving 3.5 billion years ago, study finds
The story of our planet is written in the slow movement of its surface.
Over billions of years, shifting tectonic plates have shaped continents, opened...
Why fashion keeps coming back: Scientists find a 20-year style cycle
Have you ever noticed that old fashion trends seem to come back?
Bell-bottom jeans, miniskirts, and vintage styles often return after disappearing for years.
Many people...
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These types of dogs may bite children most
In a new study, researchers have found dog breeds and physical traits that pose the highest risk of biting with severe injury.
They want parents...
What a Martian meteorite can teach us about Earth’s origins
What do Mars and Iceland have in common?
These days, not so much.
But more than 4.5 billion years ago, it’s possible the Red Planet had...
UV radiation from sunlight can reduce COVID-19 transmission, study shows
In a new study, researchers found evidence that the spread of COVID-19 is sensitive to UV exposure.
While this suggests that COVID-19 may vary with...
Ancient fish reveal teeth evolved from sensory armor, not just for biting
Teeth are some of the most sensitive parts of the body, giving us important signals about temperature, pressure, and pain when we eat.
But new...
We finally know how cold the last ice age was
Researchers have nailed down the temperature of the last ice age, known as the Last Glacial Maximum of 20,000 years ago, to about 46...
Asthma inhalers emit as much carbon as 530,000 cars, UCLA study finds
Inhalers are life-saving tools for millions of people living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
But new research from UCLA Health has revealed...
Birds began their evolutionary journey before dinosaur extinction
A new study conducted by a global team of evolutionary biologists, genetics experts, and phylogenomicists has unveiled that the diversification of bird species started...
Scientists rewrite history of the Phoenicians with surprising DNA discovery
A new DNA study is changing what we thought we knew about one of the ancient world’s great civilizations—the Phoenicians and their descendants, the...