A new paper posits that advanced alien civilizations may communicate through subtle flashes, like fireflies do on Earth. The thought experiment suggests that we need to avoid human biases in our search for extraterrestrial life.
A new study reveals that tiny fragments of Earth's atmosphere are transported to and absorbed by the moon via gusts of solar wind and our planet's magnetic field, upending a 20-year-old theory based on NASA's Apollo lunar samples.
The first full moon of 2026 and of winter in the Northern Hemisphere will shine brightly this week, just as Earth makes its annual closest approach to the sun.
Earth from space A 2016 astronaut photo of the Bahamas shows a series of luminous, rippling sandbanks partly carved out by a coral reef. The image also reveals subtle differences in the ocean's surface caused by a steep, hidden ocean drop-off.
Spotted Lake is a soda lake that evaporates every summer, leaving a white crust with circular brine pools that can appear blue, green or yellow.
A long-term experiment reveals tropical forests in Panama are able to adapt to droughts, but scientists warn this short-term "rescue strategy" is unlikely to save them from the impacts of climate change.
A newly invented cipher may shed light on how the mysterious Voynich manuscript was made in medieval times.
A researcher has documented a cleft lip in an ancient mummified head from the Andes, a condition that may have been seen as a "blessing" rather than a disability.
'Artificial intelligence' myths have existed for centuries — from the ancient Greeks to a pope's chatbot
Life's Little Mysteries If you're looking for weird facts about animals, gross human body facts or just something a bit random, get ready to geek out with these fascinating bits of trivia.
Humans have undoubtedly bred cats to create certain breeds, but did any of these feline breeds emerge naturally?
The dino lived during the Late Cretaceous alongside other hadrosaurids in present-day New Mexico.
Previous research on the effect of wolves on the food web has been criticized, raising questions about the predator’s role in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
Federal health officials are attempting to make the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule more like that of Denmark. Experts say the decision lacks scientific backing.
Adult human bodies typically have about 206 bones. But is it possible to have more?
A trio of mRNA molecules could help guard against the harmful effects of aging on immune cells, a study in mice finds.
A biological anthropologist explains why humans can't wiggle their toes in the same way they can wiggle their fingers.
Science questions, answered
Extraordinary images of our sublime universe
Unusual case reports from the medical literature
A window onto extraordinary landscapes on Earth
A glimpse into how people lived in the past
Incredible images of our planet from above
There are several methods for detecting whether a piece of text was written by AI. They all have limitations – and probably always will.
A new study argues that AI can never be more creative than humans, but many experts argue that AI's output will only ever be as good as its input — with the goalposts shifting as AI improves in the years to come.
The new storage system could hold family photos, cultural artifacts and the master versions of digital artworks, movies, manuscripts and music for thousands of years, scientists say.
In a short talk at Caltech, physicist Richard Feynman laid out a vision of manipulating and controlling atoms at the tiniest scale. It would precede the field of nanotechnology by decades.
Science crossword Test your knowledge on all things science with our weekly, free crossword puzzle!
Buying guides A quick beginner's guide to shopping for workout gear, fitness tech and exercise equipment during January's fitness rush.
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