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Latest News

An ancient Egyptian painted relief depicting Pharaoh Ramesses III with Isis.

What was the longest-lasting civilization?

Tom Metcalfe published 28 May 23

Is the longest-lasting civilization China, ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia? Here's a look at the evidence for each of these enduring cultures.

A 1920s illustration of an ancient Greek Bireme that has two decks of oars.

What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment?

Meg Duff published 27 May 23

The Greek writer Plutarch proposed this question: If a ship's planks are replaced over time due to wear and tear until none of the original pieces remain, is it still the same ship?

Composite of a blood-belly comb jelly and New York City

Science news this week: Sinking cities and tree of life mysteries

Alexander McNamara published 27 May 23

May 27, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news over the past few days, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Two chicken feet, one with feathers and one with scales.

Scientists changed scales on chicken feet to feathers by tweaking a single gene

Jennifer Nalewicki published 26 May 23

By targeting a single gene, scientists successfully turned chickens’ feet from scaly to feathery.

A spiral galaxy in deep space.

Watch the biggest supernova in 10 years explode tonight on this free telescope livestream

Robert Lea published 26 May 23

A newly discovered supernova can be watched as it develops in real-time online and for free. The livestream will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) on Friday, May 26.

The carvings of the Roman-era phallus, face and cornucopia were found at a first century B.C. fort in Spain.

Heavy rains expose ancient phallus and 'imposing' face carvings at Roman fort in Spain

Hannah Kate Simon published 26 May 23

A rainstorm has exposed the ancient Roman stone carvings of a phallus, face and cornucopia at a first-century fort in Spain.

May 27, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news over the past few days, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Science news this week: Sinking cities and tree of life mysteries May 27, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news over the past few days, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
The Greek writer Plutarch proposed this question: If a ship's planks are replaced over time due to wear and tear until none of the original pieces remain, is it still the same ship?
What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment? The Greek writer Plutarch proposed this question: If a ship's planks are replaced over time due to wear and tear until none of the original pieces remain, is it still the same ship?
By targeting a single gene, scientists successfully turned chickens’ feet from scaly to feathery.
Scientists changed scales on chicken feet to feathers by tweaking a single gene By targeting a single gene, scientists successfully turned chickens’ feet from scaly to feathery.
A fecal analysis from two toilets dating to biblical times in Jerusalem has revealed the oldest evidence yet of the parasite that causes dysentery.
2,500-year-old poop from Jerusalem toilets contain oldest evidence of dysentery parasite A fecal analysis from two toilets dating to biblical times in Jerusalem has revealed the oldest evidence yet of the parasite that causes dysentery.
A rainstorm has exposed the ancient Roman stone carvings of a phallus, face and cornucopia at a first-century fort in Spain.
Heavy rains expose ancient phallus and 'imposing' face carvings at Roman fort in Spain A rainstorm has exposed the ancient Roman stone carvings of a phallus, face and cornucopia at a first-century fort in Spain.
The amount lost in the last 30 years is equivalent to 17 Lake Meads — the largest reservoir in the U.S.
Over half of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs are losing water The amount lost in the last 30 years is equivalent to 17 Lake Meads — the largest reservoir in the U.S.

Planet Earth

A deserted ship on a dry sand bed sits in what was the Aral Sea

Over half of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs are losing water

By Kelly Oakes published 26 May 23

The amount lost in the last 30 years is equivalent to 17 Lake Meads — the largest reservoir in the U.S.

Crowds of people in Times Square with the sun setting between the buildings

Manhattanhenge: What makes New York City's iconic sunset so special?

By Denise Chow last updated 26 May 23

Manhattanhenge, a phenomenon when the setting sun is perfectly aligned with Manhattan's grid-patterned streets, occurs twice a year with a full sunset, and twice a year with a half sunset.

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  1. Scientists use a novel application of chromosomal analysis to finally answer a question that has challenged biologists for over a century.
    1
    Decades-old question surrounding the start of the tree of life could finally be solved
  2. 2
    A rare type of black hole never proven to exist could be orbiting our galaxy right now, Hubble telescope reveals
  3. 3
    Why are cave-dwelling eels growing skin over their left eyes? It may be evolution in action.
  4. 4
    What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment?
  5. 5
    Science news this week: Sinking cities and tree of life mysteries
  1. Scientists use a novel application of chromosomal analysis to finally answer a question that has challenged biologists for over a century.
    1
    Decades-old question surrounding the start of the tree of life could finally be solved
  2. 2
    What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment?
  3. 3
    Heavy rains expose ancient phallus and 'imposing' face carvings at Roman fort in Spain
  4. 4
    Scientists may be able to put Mars-bound astronauts into 'suspended animation' using sound waves, mouse study suggests
  5. 5
    NASA uncovers shattered remains of Japanese lunar lander that mysteriously disappeared on April 25

Space

A Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter image of the crash site of Japan's Hakuto-R lander, marked with an X

NASA uncovers shattered remains of Japanese lunar lander that mysteriously disappeared on April 25

By Joanna Thompson published 26 May 23

Japan's private Hakuto-R spacecraft broke into at least four large pieces of debris, according to new images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The globular star cluster Messier 4. At its center lies the intermediate size black hole.

A rare type of black hole never proven to exist could be orbiting our galaxy right now, Hubble telescope reveals

By Ben Turner published 25 May 23

A potential intermediate-mass black hole may be lurking in Messier 4, the nearest globular star cluster to Earth, new Hubble data reveals.

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archaeology

Here, a woodcut of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient times, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

7 wonders of the ancient world

By Owen Jarus last updated 26 May 23

The seven wonders of the ancient world were a selection of exceptional pieces of architecture and works of art in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe.

We see a stone block with a hole in the middle. It is surrounded by other stone blocks.

2,500-year-old poop from Jerusalem toilets contain oldest evidence of dysentery parasite

By Kristina Killgrove published 25 May 23

A fecal analysis from two toilets dating to biblical times in Jerusalem has revealed the oldest evidence yet of the parasite that causes dysentery.

VIEW MORE

Health

One of the best fitness trackers being tested by Live Science

Best fitness trackers 2023

By Andrew Williams last updated 26 May 23

Buying Guide From sleep tracking to stress management, these are the best fitness trackers we’ve tested to support your health goals.

Buying Guide
close up photo of a light brown brown recluse spider on a black background

In rare case, man develops painful deep vein blood clots following brown recluse spider bite

By Nicoletta Lanese published 25 May 23

A man in Michigan developed deep vein thrombosis after reportedly being bitten by a brown recluse spider.

Sigourney Weaver (a white woman with curly brown hair) lies in a bed covered by a clear cover; she appears asleep and is wearing a white night gown

Scientists may be able to put Mars-bound astronauts into 'suspended animation' using sound waves, mouse study suggests

By Ben Turner published 25 May 23

Firing ultrasound signals into rodent brains puts them in a torpor-like state. Scientists are wondering if it could be used on humans.

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Animals

A photograph of one of the moray eel specimens whose left eye is overgrown with skin.

Why are cave-dwelling eels growing skin over their left eyes? It may be evolution in action.

By Sascha Pare published 25 May 23

These "greedy" eels likely retreated into the gloomy depths of underwater caves in search of tasty crustaceans and are adapting to the darkness by going blind, one eye at a time.

A black and white image of a dinosaur scooping its lower skull through water

Massive dino from Brazil ate 'like a pelican,' controversial new study finds. Why is it causing an uproar?

By Harry Baker published 25 May 23

The study reveals new information about the carnivorous dinosaur Irritator challengeri, but the research has been criticized because the fossils may have been illegally removed from Brazil.

A close up of a cow's face

Extremely rare case of mad cow disease detected in the US

By Harry Baker published 24 May 23

It is only the seventh case of the deadly disease reported in the U.S. since it first emerged in the country in 2003.

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Human Behavior

Screenshot from Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Best zombie movies: viruses, fungi, space radiation & voodoo magic

By Fran Ruiz published 26 May 23

Movie Science We're shambling onto your screens to look at the best zombie movies, and the scientific (and not so scientific) inspirations behind them.

Movie Science
A drawing of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' studio near Central Park with various animal models and specimens.

New York's first dinosaur museum was trashed before it even opened. The culprit is not who we thought.

By Sascha Pare published 18 May 23

The crime, which had been attributed to a rogue politician called "Boss" Tweed, was likely orchestrated by an "eccentric and destructive" man with an obsession for white paint.

An illustration of Noah's ark during the biblical flood. We see a wood boat crashing over a giant wave against a stormy sky.

Did Noah's flood really happen?

By Patrick Pester published 14 May 23

Noah's flood is a story much older than the Bible, and researchers are still learning about its roots.

VIEW MORE

Physics & Mathematics

Red and blue bar magnet or physics magnetic with iron powder magnetic field on white background.

Why do magnets have north and south poles?

By Laurel Hamers published 30 April 23

Spinning electrons may help explain why magnets have north and south poles.

8 Einstein rings in a grid

Dark matter's secret identity could be hiding in distorted 'Einstein rings'

By Harry Baker published 27 April 23

Researchers may be a step closer to identifying dark matter after studying unusual cases of gravitational lensing caused by "dark matter halos" surrounding distant galaxies.

An artist's illustration of three Schrödinger's cats.

World's heaviest Schrödinger's cat made in quantum crystal visible to the naked eye

By Ben Turner published 26 April 23

Physicists have placed part of a sapphire crystal into a quantum superposition, making it the heaviest object to show quantum effects, in a new take on Erwin Schrödinger's famous cat experiment.

VIEW MORE

Chemistry

Uranium nitrate called uranyl, with uranium ore, radioactive material on isolated white background_RHJ via Getty Images

Scientists discover 1st 'neutron-rich' isotope of uranium since 1979

By Robert Lea published 15 April 23

Scientists have synthesized a previously unknown isotope of uranium, uranium-241, that may start to disappear after just 40 minutes.

A selection of images showing seedlings growing in a lab vs. computerized models.

Alan Turing's famous mathematical model was right all along, chia seed experiment reveals

By Jennifer Nalewicki published 5 April 23

For the first time, scientists using chia seed experiments have confirmed that Alan Turing's mathematical model can explain patterns seen in nature.

Best chemistry sets - Girl and boy playing with chemistry set_Thames & Kosmos

Best chemistry sets 2023: amazing at-home chemistry sets for kids and adults

By Jake Green last updated 7 December 22

Get the reaction you're looking for with the best chemistry sets for kids and adults.

VIEW MORE

Tech

Science kit deals - Kid doing science

Science kit deals 2023: Fun & educational STEM sets on offer at Amazon, Target, and more

By Kimberley Snaith published 5 April 23

From microscopes to robotic unicorns, we’ve rounded up some of the best science kit deals from around the web.

Laptop and assorted desk gadgets - best office gadgets and toys

Best office gadgets and toys 2023: Useful tools and fun toys for your desk

By Susan Arendt published 5 April 23

Having the best office gadgets and toys at your disposal transforms your personal space into a luxe working environment.

Best science kits for kids - Two cute children at chemistry lesson making experiments on white background.

Best science kits for kids 2023: Fun experiments for children of all ages

By Mihaela Bozukova published 5 April 23

Inspire your children to learn about the world with the best science kits for kids.

VIEW MORE

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