Planet Earth

A satellite photo of a giant iceberg next to an island with hundreds of smaller icebergs surrounding the pair

World's largest iceberg, A23a, is disintegrating into thousands of pieces alongside penguin refuge

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A new satellite photo has revealed that the "megaberg," A23a, is beginning to break apart, spawning thousands of smaller ice chunks around the Antarctic island of South Georgia.

Earth from space

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
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Space

Starlink

How many satellites orbit Earth?

By Harry Baker last updated

The number of satellites orbiting our planet is rising fast, thanks to private "megaconstellations" that pose various threats to space exploration and astronomy. But how big has the problem already become?

Space Exploration

Our moon may have once been as hellish as Jupiter's super volcanic moon Io

By Nola Taylor Tillman published

The moon spent a few million years as a volcanic wasteland, covered with ongoing eruptions that spewed from mountains and even from the ground itself.

The Moon
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archaeology

'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

World's oldest star chart may be 2,300 years old and from China — but not everyone agrees

By Joanna Thompson published

Is the Star Manual of Master Shi the oldest known astronomical catalog? Experts are divided.

Archaeology
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World of science

Health

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
A syringe is shown being inserted into a vaccine vial.

2-in-1 COVID-flu vaccine looks promising, but approval could be delayed

By Kristel Tjandra published

Late-stage trial data suggest that a new COVID-flu vaccine offers good protection against both infections, but experts expect the shot's approval may be delayed.

Health

Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer: What to know

By Jess Thomson published

Former U.S. President Joe Biden's office announced that he has been diagnosed with "aggressive" prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. Here's what to know about the disease.

Cancer
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Animals

a capuchin monkey with a newborn howler monkey clinging to its back

Capuchins have started abducting newborn howler monkeys in bizarre, deadly fad

By Chris Simms published

Young male capuchins have developed a strange trend of acquiring baby howler monkeys. It doesn't end well for the babies.

Monkeys
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
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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
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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
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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

Illuminated servers in dark server room.

What is exascale computing?

By Peter Ray Allison published

Exascale computing can process over a quintillion operations every second — enabling supercomputers to perform complex simulations that were previously impossible. But how does it work?

Computing
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
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