Planet Earth

A volcano with lava running down its side. The volcano is surrounded by lush forest.

The closer a volcano is to erupting, the greener the trees around it look from space

By Sascha Pare published

Scientists have found a way to monitor volcanic carbon dioxide levels — one of the first signs a volcano might be about to blow — that doesn't involve trekking up a mountain.

Volcanos
Giant groundsels growing along a trail on Mount Kilimanjaro. The scene is misty.

Kilimanjaro's giant groundsels: The strange plants that thrive on Africa's tallest mountain

By Sascha Pare published

Giant groundsels are rare plants that grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall. They are endemic to the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania and Africa's tallest mountain.

Plants
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Space

Space photo of the week: Pink 'raindrops' on the sun captured in greatest detail ever

By Jamie Carter published

Solar scientists have unveiled spectacular new images of plasma "rain" in the sun's corona using adaptive optics.

The Sun

James Webb telescope spots weird changes on Jupiter's icy moon Europa

By Carolyn Collins Petersen published

The ice on the surface of Jupiter's massive moon Europa is constantly changing, hinting at the presence of a subsurface ocean, new James Webb telescope observations reveal.

Jupiter
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archaeology

Celtic quiz: Test your knowledge about these fierce tribes once described by Julius Caesar

By Kristina Killgrove published

Is your knowledge of the Celts a veritable pot of gold, or do you need the luck of the Irish to finish the quiz?

Archaeology
Split image of the Earth's core and strange signals coming from deep space

Earth's 'leaking' core and strange signals from space

By Pandora Dewan published

Science news this week May 31, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Science news this week
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World of science

Health

Our reviewer testing the Echelon Smart Rower

Best exercise equipment for beginners 2025: Everything you need to start your fitness journey

By Anna Gora last updated

Buying guides This is the best beginner-friendly workout kit you can buy in every category, from Aviron Strong Series rower and Peloton bike to Liforme yoga mat.

Buying guides
BlueAir Classic Pro CP7i air purifier being tested by our reviewer

Blueair Classic Pro CP7i air purifier review: A gentle giant with germ-busting properties

By Anna Gora published

Reviews The Blueair Classic Pro CP7i is the first air purifier with High-Intensity Narrow Spectrum (HINS) lighting — a technology that removes viruses and bacteria using violet-blue light.

Reviews

Can adults grow new brain cells?

By Marilyn Perkins published

Scientists are still debating whether the human brain is capable of growing new cells past childhood.

Neuroscience
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Animals

(left) A portrait photo of the great-eared nightjar, (right) A great-eared nightjar perched on a branch viewed from a low angle.

Great eared nightjar: The 'baby dragon' bird that lays its eggs on the floor

By Lydia Smith published

Great eared nightjars live on the forest floor, remaining motionless throughout the day, camouflaged among leaf litter and tree stumps.

Birds

The history of cat domestication

By Marilyn Perkins, Stephanie Pappas last updated

Discover the history of our feline friends, and learn about the debate over whether cats are really "domesticated" at all.

Domestic Cats
Beautiful white cat with blue sapphire eyes on a black background.

Cats may have been domesticated much later than we thought — with earlier felines being eaten or made into clothes

By Richard Pallardy last updated

Two studies of ancient felines find that cats were likely domesticated in Egypt or other regions in North Africa — and moved into Europe with humans much later than previously believed.

Cats
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Human Behavior

Young couple practicing yoga in a summer park.

Your moral compass is tied to how in tune you are with your body, study hints

By Skyler Ware published

A recent study draws a connection between people's bodily awareness and how they find solutions to moral dilemmas.

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
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Physics & Mathematics

'Neutron lifetime puzzle' may have a new solution

By Andrey Feldman published

A type of hydrogen that doesn't interact with light could explain how long neutrons live and reveal the identity of the universe's dark matter, according to a new theory.

Physics & Mathematics

Why isn’t an atom’s nucleus round?

By Victoria Atkinson published

The nuclei of atoms are often portrayed as round in textbooks, but it turns out they're rarely spherical.

Physics & Mathematics

Physicists force atoms into state of quantum 'hyper-entanglement' using tweezers made of laser light

By Alan Bradley published

By controlling individual atoms, researchers have demonstrated a way to turn previously unwanted atomic motion into an advantage.

Particle Physics
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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
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Technology

The 5 biggest mistakes learner microscope owners make

By Heather Barker published

5 common mistakes made by novice microscope users and how to prevent or overcome them.

Technology

Best wildlife observation equipment 2025: Birds, bats, bees and everything inbetween

By Kat Bayly published

This is the best wildlife observation equipment you can buy in every category, from binoculars and cameras to GPS and compasses.

Technology

OpenAI's 'smartest' AI model was explicitly told to shut down — and it refused

By Patrick Pester published

An artificial intelligence safety firm has found that OpenAI's o3 and o4-mini models sometimes refuse to shut down, and will sabotage computer scripts in order to keep working on tasks.

Artificial Intelligence
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