Planet Earth

Toward the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, the International Space Station orbits about 259 miles (417 kilometers) above Trinidad and Tobago as Hurricane Sam churns in the Atlantic Ocean in the fall of 2021.

Hurricane season 2024: How long it lasts and what to expect

By Tia Ghose last updated

This guide to the Atlantic hurricane season of 2024, includes predictions, tropical storm science, naming conventions and storm safety tips.

Hurricanes
An aerial photo of the eye of a cyclone illuminated by a lightning strike

Successive lightning strikes illuminate eye of tropical cyclone in rare photos from space

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A pair of 2015 astronaut photos taken just minutes apart shows the eye of tropical cyclone Bansi illuminated by two lightning strikes as the storm raged in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.

Earth from space
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Space

A series of concentric circles in a diagram, with one medium-size circle tilted and off to the side intersecting the others

'Potentially hazardous' asteroid the size of a skyscraper to skim past Earth on Tuesday

By Ben Turner published

The gigantic asteroid 2024 ON, about the size of a skyscraper, will fly close to Earth next Tuesday, missing our planet by 2.6 times the distance between Earth and the moon.

Asteroids
A swirling ring of orange light

The Milky Way's supermassive black hole is spinning incredibly fast and at the wrong angle. Scientists may finally know why.

By Ben Turner published

Observations from the Event Horizon Telescope may reveal a secret merger in our supermassive black hole's past, potentially explaining the cosmic monster's unusual spin.

Black Holes
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archaeology

An excavation site with two curled-up skeletons marked out

16,000-year-old skeleton, crystals and stone tools discovered in Malaysian caves

By Tom Metcalfe published

Archaeologists think the earliest skeleton from the Malaysian excavation may be up to 16,000 years old.

Archaeology
A diamond-shaped ring with a red center.

'Remarkable' 1,000-year-old ring from Scotland's 'painted people' found at destroyed fort

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

During an archaeological dig at the former site of a Pictish fort, a volunteer unearthed a rare metal ring with a red centerpiece.

Archaeology
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Health

High-resolution microscope image of bacteria of different shapes and sizes on a a light blue/grey background. Some bacteria look more like blobs, which are either red or purple, while others look like long rods that are turquoise in color.

Scientists invent tool to see how 'healthy' your gut microbiome is — does it work?

By Emily Cooke published

A new tool can reveal whether someone has a "healthy" gut microbiome with a simple score — but how does it work?

Viruses, Infections & Disease
A close-up of a woman's closed eye with blue frost covering her face and eyelashes

'Microbes of death' can reveal when a frozen body died, forensic scientists explain

By Noemi Procopio, Lavinia Iancu published

Getting an accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provide critical information that the naked eye cannot.

Death
Close-up image of a hand holding a strip of Tamiflu pills in front of a packet of them. The pills, which are half yellow and half white, can be seen in the pill strip. The pill packet behind is white and has branding on it.

Hospitalized patients with flu need Tamiflu the day they're admitted, CDC says

By Emily Cooke published

New research suggests that hospitalized patients with flu who start taking Tamiflu the day they are admitted are 40% less likely to die within a month than those treated just days later.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
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Animals

Three snakes lying on a table

4-foot snake vomits up 2 smaller snakes — and 1 was still alive

By Harry Baker published

Wildlife officials in Georgia stumbled across a pair of snakes that had been "expelled" by a larger serpent, only to discover that one of the regurgitated victims was still alive.

Snakes
an xray showing an eel inside the digestive tract of a dark sleeper fish

Watch baby Japanese eel escape from stomach of predator in X-ray video

By Melissa Hobson published

An eel inside the digestive tract of a dark sleeper fish before its escape attempt.

Fish
in an image at the top, dozens of military men hold a huge oarfish in a line. Below is an artist impression of a giant oarfish with blueish skin and a red frill on a black background.

Giant oarfish: The 'doomsday' fish of legend that supposedly foreshadows earthquakes

By Melissa Hobson published

In mythology, giant oarfish are said to foreshadow earthquakes, although evidence shows this is not the case.

Fish
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Human Behavior

Girl reading books in front of a cartoon space scene

19 best science books for kids and young adults

By Ben Biggs last updated

Looking to inspire the next generation of curious minds? These are our picks of the best popular science books for children of all ages.

Human Behavior
A woman smiles watching a soccer game, while a man next her sits looking bored on his phone

Do opposites really attract in relationships?

By Alice Sun published

When it comes to love, the adage is that opposites attract. But does that really hold?

Human Behavior
Two people bike up a mountain

'I'm as happy as I've ever been in my life': Why some people feel happiness near death

By Mattias Tranberg published

A palliative care researcher explains how death can help people appreciate life.

Human Behavior
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Physics & Mathematics

Abstract representation of photons_Dizzo via Getty Images

Physicists unveil 1D gas made of pure light

By Ben Turner published

Physicists have created a one dimensional gas out of light particles for the first time. Studying how the photon gas behaves could help researchers discover some yet-unknown quantum optical effects.

Physics & Mathematics
A photo of an amusement park ride where riders rotate on swings.

What are centrifugal and centripetal forces?

By Jim Lucas last updated

reference Centrifugal and centripetal are two closely related forces that describe circular motion, but the meanings are often mixed up.

reference
An illustration showing various aspects of the early universe, including radiation generated by the Big Bang and ancient black holes

The universe had a secret life before the Big Bang, new study hints

By Andrey Feldman published

The secrets of black holes and dark matter could lie before the Big Bang, a new study of "bouncing" cosmology hints.

Dark Matter
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Chemistry

A close-up of stainless steel pots and pans hanging from a wall

Why doesn't stainless steel rust?

By Tom Metcalfe published

The special chemistry of this shiny iron alloy creates a protective layer on its surface that prevents it from rusting.

Chemistry
A close-up of a piece of steak being cooked on the grill

What happens to meat as it's cooked?

By Margaret Osborne published

Heat triggers a series of complex chemical reactions that change the color, flavor and texture of meat.

Chemistry
A Large, long white anhydrous ammonia tank with corn grain bins in background at a grain elevator company.

New reactor could more than triple the yield of one of the world's most valuable chemicals

By Victoria Atkinson published

A new reactor creates ammonia from polluted wastewater using electricity, and it's way more efficient than existing methods.

Chemistry
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Tech

Representation of clean energy technology in the future of automobiles.

'Springy' solid-state battery is twice the width of a white blood cell and could drastically increase EV range

By Jane McCallion published

Scientists in the U.S. have created a battery for electric cars that could be safer and offer better performance than the ones we have now thanks to a unique design.

Electric Vehicles
A battery symbol on a digital interface in the dark with a blue light on to indicate charging

Amazingly simple discovery extends Li-ion battery lifespan by 50% — meaning you don't have to replace your gadgets as often

By Skyler Ware published

Batteries used in smartphones or in EVs normally charge for 10 hours on their first cycle, but turbo-charging them to 100% capacity in 20 minutes may lead to a 50% longer lifespan.

Engineering
Man using one of the best binoculars whilst hiking in the woods with his friends

Best binoculars 2024: Our picks for stargazing, bird watching and observing wildlife

By Gavin Stoker last updated

Use the best binoculars to hunt for wildlife, stargaze, track athletes or spot planes — find something to suit any budget, interest or experience level.

Tech
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