Planet Earth

150,000-year history of Earth's magnetic field reveals clues about the climate when early humans were spreading out of Africa

By Stephanie Pappas published

The record sheds light on the climate early humans experienced when they were spreading out of Africa.

Planet Earth
A blue house surrounded by flood water in North Beach, Maryland.

The decline of key Atlantic currents is underway, and it's been flooding parts of the US for 20 years

By Sascha Pare published

New research has linked sea level rise and an increase in flooding in the U.S. Northeast over the past 20 years to the breakdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Climate change
VIEW MORE

Space

Venus may be geologically 'alive' after all, NASA reveals

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

New research strengthens the case that Venus, long considered a geologically stagnant world, may be more Earth-like in its internal dynamics than once believed.

Venus
China's Tiangong space station with Earth in the background

Unknown strain of bacteria found on China's Tiangong Space Station

By Ben Turner published

Analysis of swabs from China's Tiangong Space Station has revealed a new strain of bacteria sporting new adaptations for surviving outer space.

Space Exploration
VIEW MORE

archaeology

How is Roman concrete still standing after 2,000 years?

By Elana Spivack published

Roman concrete's durability comes from a combination of its ingredients and production methods.

Romans

'Very rare' African ebony figurines found in 1,500-year-old Christian burials in Israeli desert

By Laura Geggel published

Three 1,500-year-old burials in the Negev desert have pendants of bone and ebony that may depict the deceased individuals' ancestors.

Archaeology
VIEW MORE

World of science

Health

The Xiaomi Watch S4, a close-up picture of the display

Best fitness trackers 2025: Measure steps, sleep, exercise performance and more

By Andrew Williams, Anna Gora last updated

Buying Guide These are the best fitness trackers you can buy in every category, from Amazfit Balance and Garmin Fenix 8 to TicWatch Atlas.

Buying Guide
Pseudomonas aeruginosa as seen underneath a microscope.

Hospital superbug can feed on medical plastic, first-of-its-kind study reveals

By Ben Turner published

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with 559,000 yearly deaths worldwide, and many of them come from hospital-acquired infections. A new study suggests it may be thriving in sterile environments by feeding on medical plastics.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
Garmin Fenix 8 on a green background

Garmin's most high-profile smartwatch gets a massive $200 discount, ahead of Memorial Day

By Anna Gora published

Deals This Memorial Day Sale smartwatch deal is not to be missed: The ultra-premium Garmin Fenix 8 is now a huge $200 off across various retailers, and its lowest-ever price.

Deals
VIEW MORE

Animals

A scaly-foot snail on a black background.

Scaly-foot snail: The armor-plated hermaphrodite with a giant heart that lives near scalding deep-sea volcanoes and never eats

By Mindy Weisberger published

Also known as "volcano snails," these gastropods grow a suit of metal-enriched scaly armor and have an enormous heart, which helps them survive in oxygen-poor water in the deep ocean.

Mollusks
A desert-adapted elephant calf (Loxodonta africana) sitting on its hind legs.

Why do elephants have big ears?

By Sara Hashemi published

Elephants have the largest ears in the animal kingdom, and there's a practical reason for that.

Elephants

Living lunch box? Iceland orcas are unexpectedly swimming with baby pilot whales, but it's unclear why.

By Marina Wang published

Newborn pilot whales have been spotted mysteriously swimming among pods of orcas. Scientists are trying to puzzle out how the pilot whale calves got there and what happened to them.

Orcas
VIEW MORE

Human Behavior

The constant surveillance of modern life could worsen our brain function in ways we don't fully understand, disturbing studies suggest

By Simon Makin published

We live in an era of constant surveillance. Psychology research shows how this might change how we perceive the world — even unconsciously

Human Behavior
Pope Leo XIV stands in papal robes in the middle of two other men on the Vatican loggia

What does the Pope do, anyway?

By Stephanie Pappas, Kristina Killgrove last updated

New pope's schedule will be 'exhausting.'

Religion

People really can communicate with just their eyes, study finds

By Stephanie Pappas published

New research reveals how humans communicate through their gaze.

Human Behavior
VIEW MORE

Physics & Mathematics

Physicists take step toward a 'theory of everything'

By Andrey Feldman published

A new physics paper takes a step toward creating a long-sought "theory of everything" by uniting gravity with the quantum world. However, the new theory remains far from being proven observationally.

Quantum Physics

When was math invented?

By Tom Metcalfe published

Humans started counting tens of thousands of years ago, but when did they begin figuring out advanced arithmetic, algebra and even calculus?

Mathematics
A photo of the Large Hadron Collider's ALICE detector.

World's largest atom smasher turned lead into gold — and then destroyed it in an instant

By Ben Turner published

The world's largest particle collider produces roughly 89,000 gold nuclei every second, all from smashing lead atoms together at near-light-speed.

Particle Physics
VIEW MORE

Chemistry

A cross-section of the new copper alloy, with the orange dots representing copper atoms, the yellow tantalum atoms, and the blue lithium atoms.

Scientists create ultra-tough copper alloy that is stronger than steel and can withstand temperatures of 1500 F

By Ben Turner published

The new super-strong copper alloy can be used to build better airplanes and spacecraft.

Chemistry
a deer's breath is visible in the cold air

Why does nearly all life breathe oxygen?

By Harrison Tasoff published

Nitrogen comprises around 78% of Earth's atmosphere, so why do most lifeforms breathe oxygen?

Chemistry
Plastic waste by the ocean

Scientists break down cheap plastic using the air — and turn it into something far more valuable

By Ben Turner published

Scientists developed a new method for breaking down one of the most common plastics to a byproduct that can be upcycled into more valuable materials.

Chemistry
VIEW MORE

Technology

woman wearing the peak design outdoor backpack in a nature reserve

Peak Design 25L Outdoor Backpack review

By Kimberley Lane published

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack has a lot of potential — it's insanely customizable and versatile, but for us, it wasn't a perfect fit.

Technology
woman wearing the peak design sling bag at a coastal location

Peak Design 7L Outdoor Sling Bag: Ideal for outdoor adventures

By Kimberley Lane published

One of the most comfortable bags we've ever used. This sling bag from Peak Design's new range is lightweight, practical and perfect for outdoor types — but how suitable is it for photographers?

Technology
celestron nature dx 8x42

Celestron Nature DX 8x42 binocular review

By Matt Morris published

Does 8x magnification cut it for both stargazing and wildlife spotting, or is it just too small for either activity?

Technology
VIEW MORE