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Weird stuff in space
Longest-lasting civilization
Oldest tree in the world
Best zombie movies
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Latest News

Fish pecking at a dead sea urchin in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Mystery pathogen is stripping sea urchins of their flesh and turning them to skeletons — and it's spreading fast

Ben Turner published 30 May 23

A mysterious epidemic that began in the Mediterranean at the start of the year looks set to wipe out all of the Mediterranean and Red Sea’s urchins, and possibly their coral reefs too.

blue and purple beams of light blasting toward the viewer

What is the speed of light?

Briley Lewis published 30 May 23

Light is faster than anything else in the known universe, though its speed can change depending on what it's passing through.

Close up of a pair of hands holding smoking parafernalia. In the left hand is a vape pen and in the right hand there is a handful of cigarettes.

Is vaping healthier than smoking?

Anna Gora published 29 May 23

Experts agree that all else being equal, it is better to vape than to smoke traditional cigarettes, but e-cigarettes come with their own risks.

We see the raised imprint of a human footprint in brownish stone.

153,000-year-old footprints from South Africa are the oldest Homo sapiens tracks on record

Kristina Killgrove published 29 May 23

A modern dating method has revealed the oldest Homo sapiens' footprints yet, placing bipedal humans in South Africa around 153,000 years ago.

The newly found petroglyphs from Sweden include depictions of humans. Here we see one tall human with their arms throw up in the air.

2,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden

Owen Jarus published 29 May 23

About 40 ancient rock carvings have been found on a former rocky island in Sweden.

A burning meteor flying past Earth

The Tunguska event was the biggest asteroid impact in recorded history. How did it vanish without a trace?

Hannah Osborne published 29 May 23

During the Tunguska event, over 8 million trees covering an area of 830 square miles were flattened when an asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere.

A new study questions if our planet could capture rocky and icy visitors from outside the solar system — and how scientists could spot them. — Earth may have debris from alien star systems trapped in its orbit, new research suggests A new study questions if our planet could capture rocky and icy visitors from outside the solar system — and how scientists could spot them.

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

From Prometheus and Methuselah to trees in remote forests of China, these are the most ancient known trees on Earth. — The oldest tree in the world (and the 7 runner-ups) From Prometheus and Methuselah to trees in remote forests of China, these are the most ancient known trees on Earth.

Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening? — Why do animals keep evolving into crabs? Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening?

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.

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Planet Earth

A 3,200-year-old bristlecone pine in a forest with blue sky above

The oldest tree in the world (and the 7 runner-ups)

By Erik Ofgang published 29 May 23

From Prometheus and Methuselah to trees in remote forests of China, these are the most ancient known trees on Earth.

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

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

By 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.

1
What was the longest-lasting civilization?
2
The oldest tree in the world (and the 7 runner-ups)
3
Scientists may be able to put Mars-bound astronauts into 'suspended animation' using sound waves, mouse study suggests
4
2,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden
5
153,000-year-old footprints from South Africa are the oldest Homo sapiens tracks on record

1
Why have aliens never visited Earth? Scientists have a disturbing answer
2
How a Student Photographed a Single Atom With a Store-Bought Camera
3
Long-extinct Tasmanian tiger may still be alive and prowling the wilderness, scientists claim
4
The oldest tree in the world (and the 7 runner-ups)
5
2,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden

Grid List

Space

A spiral of asteroids swirl around a central point of light in space

Earth may have debris from alien star systems trapped in its orbit, new research suggests

By Robert Lea published 29 May 23

A new study questions if our planet could capture rocky and icy visitors from outside the solar system — and how scientists could spot them.

A spiral galaxy in deep space.

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

By 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.

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archaeology

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

What was the longest-lasting civilization?

By 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.

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

By 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.

Grid List

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.

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.

Grid List

Animals

Here we see an orange/red crab with a pale yellow underbelly with its two claws raised in the air. It is on a sandy beach.

Why do animals keep evolving into crabs?

By Laurel Hamers published 29 May 23

Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening?

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

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

By Jennifer Nalewicki published 26 May 23

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

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.

Grid List

Human Behavior

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

What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment?

By 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?

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.

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.

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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.

Grid List

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.

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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.

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