Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries

Planet Earth

The images show the impressions of a collapsed cell-wall covering (a coccosphere) on the surface of a fragment of ancient organic matter (left) with the individual plates (coccoliths) enlarged to show the exquisite preservation of sub-micron-scale structures (right). The blue image is inverted to give a virtual fossil cast, (i.e., to show the original three-dimensional form). The original plates have been removed from the sediment by dissolution, leaving behind only the ghost imprints.

'Ghost' fossils preserve haunting record of ancient life on a hellish Earth

By Joanna Thompson published 20 May 22

Ghostly imprints of very tiny "nannofossils" can offer a valuable window into our planet's past — and hint at its possible future.

The GOES-17 satellite captured images of an umbrella cloud generated by the underwater eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on Jan. 15, 2022. Crescent-shaped bow shock waves and numerous lighting strikes are also visible.

Record-shattering Tonga volcanic eruption sent atmospheric waves zipping around the Earth

By Nicoletta Lanese published 16 May 22

The eruption triggered huge atmospheric waves called Lamb waves.

Space and Physics

An illustration of the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which is traveling through interstellar space.

Voyager 1 sends strange signals from beyond the solar system. Scientists are confused.

By Meghan Bartels published 20 May 22

NASA's Voyager 1 space probe sent a confusing signal back to Earth, suggesting the craft doesn't know where it's located.

A 0.1-ounce (3-gram) sample of the Hypatia stone.

Alien stone in Egyptian desert came from rare supernova, scientists say

By Ben Turner published 20 May 22

The rock likely formed from the merging of dust with the remnants of the two stars involved in the explosion.

History

An excavator holds up two tiles discovered at the site that likely holds the remains of Friary of St. Saviour, a medieval friary in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Behind her you can see three old brick houses and a road that's been completely dug up by a mini digger.

17 skeletons unearthed at medieval friary in UK

By Owen Jarus published 20 May 22

Archaeologists in Wales have unearthed 17 skeletons at a medieval friary, but it's unclear whether the human remains belonged to friars or lay people.

The famous Stonehenge monument in the U.K.

Stonehenge builders ate parasite-infested meat during ancient feasts, according to their poop

By Harry Baker published 19 May 22

The builders also fed the worm-infested meat to their dogs.

Health

Monkeypox virus is DNA virus spread from animals and in the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Monkeypox cases double in UK, pop up in US

By Stephanie Pappas published 20 May 22

Monkeypox infections are appearing in Europe and North America, a rare occurrence for a disease endemic to west and central Africa.

bottom half of woman with toilet paper roll needs to pee

How much urine can a healthy bladder hold?

By Stephanie Pappas published 20 May 22

A healthy adult bladder can hold a fair amount of urine, but regularly holding it to the point of discomfort isn't a great idea.

Marley Spoon review

By Lizzy Briskin published 20 May 22

Review We reviewed the cook-it-yourself meal kit from Marley Spoon to see how it compared in terms of taste, ease and nutrition

Review

Animals

Breaching humpback whale body slams boat in Mexico, injuring everyone on board

By Harry Baker published 20 May 22

Local authorities suggest the young humpback did it on purpose.

3D science rendering of an Ichthyosaur stenopterygius, large extinct marine reptiles from Early Triassic to Late Cretaceous.

Ichthyosaur: Apex predator of the dinosaur-era seas

By Michael Dhar published 20 May 22

Reference Ichthyosaurs, marine reptiles that resembled dolphins and could rival blue whales in size, coexisted with dinosaurs.

Reference

What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly?

By Tia Ghose published 19 May 22

Though related, there are key differences between them.

Strange News

U.S. Navy videos of alleged UFO sightings were previously available but had not been officially declassified.

Footage of hypersonic metallic UFO shown by Pentagon officials at historic hearing

By Ben Turner published 17 May 22

Pentagon officials speaking at the first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s have shown previously classified footage of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP).

A government employee photographed a UFO that hovered for 15 minutes near Holloman Air Development Center in New Mexico, on Dec.16, 1957.

Watch live: Pentagon UFO sightings will finally be publicly aired at today's Congressional hearing

By Ben Turner published 16 May 22

The U.S. Congress is set to hold its first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s on Tuesday (May 17). Here's what to expect.

A metal kettle attached to a log structure hangs over a campfire near a lake.

Why does wood catch fire, but metal doesn't?

By JoAnna Wendel published 15 May 22

Burning is the release of energy, and some materials like metals, can absorb energy better than others, such as wood.

Culture

Brooklyn's Mexican community marches down 5th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood during a Cinco de Mayo parade on May 7, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York

Cinco de Mayo: History and facts about the celebration of Latin culture

By Remy Melina published 4 May 22

Reference Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of Latin culture, with origins in a 19th-century battle.

Reference

Two darker skinned females against blue background. Researchers have found that as a tool for grouping people into racial categories, skin color is basically useless.

What's the difference between race and ethnicity?

By Emma Bryce published 9 April 22

Race and ethnicity are terms that are sometimes used sloppily, almost interchangeably. But race and ethnicity are not the same thing.

Nelson Mandela visits Hlengiwe School_Louise Gubb via Getty Images

What is the Mandela effect? And have you experienced it?

By Joe Phelan published 19 March 22

The Mandela effect is when many people believe that something happened when, in reality, it never did.

Tech

Best wildlife photography cameras 2022

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

BUYING GUIDE These are the best wildlife photography cameras for shooting in the Serengeti, the local zoo, and everywhere in-between.

BUYING GUIDE

Olympus OM-D E-M1X review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW Looking for ultra lightweight kit that packs a heavyweight punch? The Olympus OM-D E-M1X provides a compact system that’s ideal for wildlife and safari shooting.

REVIEW

Canon EOS R5 review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW The Canon EOS R5 is so good at photographing wildlife, it’s effectively a cheat code for capturing images of animals – not to mention humans or any other subject.

REVIEW

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