Planet Earth

Science history: Experiment shows mutations arise spontaneously, supporting pillar of Darwinian evolution — Nov. 20, 1943

By Tia Ghose published

Two bacteriologists showed that mutations arise spontaneously in bacterial cultures, thereby disproving Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's theory of evolution.

Evolution
A satellite photo of a lake in the desert with dark green swirling waters from an algal bloom

Extreme bloom of toxic algae swirls in Nevada's 'Pyramid Lake'

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A 2024 satellite photo shows an unusually active bloom of toxic cyanobacteria swirling in the water of Nevada's Pyramid Lake. Research suggests that the algae has been blooming there for at least 9,000 years.

Earth from space
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Space

Scientists put moss on the outside of the International Space Station for 9 months — then kept it growing back on Earth

By Mason Wakley published

A species of moss survived for 9 months on the outside of the International Space Station, new research reveals — and 80% of the samples kept reproducing when returned to Earth.

3 Comments
Space
Gemini meteor shower 2018 over lake in Erenhot, Inner Mongolia, China.

How to photograph a meteor shower — Next up: The Geminids

By Jacob Little last updated

A guide to photographing meteor showers all year round, with timely advice for making the most of the upcoming Geminids in December.

Astronomy
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archaeology

Sunken city discovered in Kyrgyzstan lake was a medieval hotspot on the Silk Road — until an earthquake wiped it out

By Tom Metcalfe published

Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan have discovered the remains of a drowned medieval city that was once a Silk Road hotspot.

Archaeology
A diver holding a medieval spearhead under the murky waters of Lake Lednica in Poland.

Medieval spear pulled from Polish lake may have belonged to prince or nobleman

By Owen Jarus published

Four medieval spearheads have been found in Lake Lednica in Poland. One may have belonged to a nobleman or prince.

Archaeology
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World of science

Health

The Blueair Blue Signature air purifier standing in the middle of a living room

Blueair Blue Signature air purifier review: Powerful and elegant

By Anna Gora published

Reviews Stylish and beautifully illuminated, the Blueair Blue Signature air purifier is a breath of fresh air (literally).

Reviews
Human skin covered with measles rash.

US could lose its measles elimination status within months, experts say

By Stephanie Pappas published

With 45 outbreaks of measles over the past year, the United States is at risk of endemic spread within months, experts told Live Science.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

The US is on track to lose its measles elimination status in months. RFK needs to go.

By Elizabeth Jacobs, James Alwine published

Opinion Canada has lost its measles elimination status and the U.S. is likely to be next. These failures are the result of the anti-vaccination movement, bolstered by the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and it's a bellwether of the erosion of public health.

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Opinion
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Animals

Human trash is 'kick-starting' the domestication of city-dwelling raccoons, study suggests

By Skyler Ware published

Raccoons that live near humans had shorter snouts than rural raccoons, a trait that tends to arise in the early stages of domestication.

Animals
In this photo, the parasitic ant queen Lasius orientalis (left) infiltrates the nest of Lasius flavus and apporaches their queen (right).

'Nothing but a nightmare': Worker ants are tricked into murdering their mom by an imposter queen — who quickly takes the throne for herself

By Chris Simms published

A sneaky spray of chemicals makes ant workers turn on their own mother — the queen — so a parasitic invader can take over the colony herself.

Insects

How did metamorphosis evolve?

By Marilyn Perkins published

While it might seem like an all-or-nothing process, insect metamorphosis likely emerged through gradual evolutionary changes.

Insects
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Human Behavior

A hand holding a pencil over a crossword puzzle

Live Science crossword puzzle #20: Largest contiguous land empire in history — 3 down

By Harry Baker last updated

Science crossword Test your knowledge on all things science with our weekly, free crossword puzzle!

Science crossword

There is such a thing as 'settled science' — anyone who says otherwise is trying to manipulate you

By Kit Yates published

Opinion How bad-faith arguments sow doubt by weaponizing scientific humility.

19 Comments
Opinion
scientist holding test tubes with illustration of money symbols and a sand timer on a blue background

Citation cartels, ghost writing and fake peer-review: Fraud is causing a crisis in science — here's what we need to do to stop it

By Kit Yates published

Opinion Thousands of scientific papers are retracted every year because of fraudulent activity, with both authors and journals gaming a system to gain academic acclaim through deceit, dishonesty and false representation.

7 Comments
Opinion
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Physics & Mathematics

For the first time, physicists peer inside the nucleus of a molecule using electrons as a probe

By Larissa G. Capella published

A novel experiment has revealed a phenomenon called the Bohr–Weisskopf effect in a pear-shaped nucleus in a molecule for the first time.

Particle Physics

Science history: Russian mathematician quietly publishes paper — and solves one of the most famous unsolved conjectures in mathematics — Nov. 11, 2002

By Tia Ghose published

Mathematician Grigori Perelman solved the Poincaré conjecture, and then rejected the $1 million prize that came with it.

39 Comments
Mathematics
Clocks stand in a row in front of autumn trees

Daylight saving time 2025: When does the time change, and why?

By Jeanna Bryner last updated

When does daylight saving time end in 2025? Here's a look at when the time changes this year, and why we change our clocks in the first place.

Physics & Mathematics
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Chemistry

Scientists invent way to use E. coli to create and dye rainbow-colored fabric in the lab

By Mason Wakley published

Scientists have used a novel method to create sustainable, rainbow-colored fibers using bacteria in the lab.

Chemistry
an animation of a spinning buckyball molecule

Science history: Chemists discover buckyballs — the most perfect molecules in existence — Nov. 14, 1985

By Tia Ghose published

Over a feverish 10-day period, scientists synthesized and described a new class of carbon molecules, called buckminster fullerenes, after the iconic 20th-century inventor.

Chemistry

Why does boiling water have bubbles, except in a microwave?

By Victoria Atkinson published

Bubbles are usually the first sign that water’s coming to the boil, but heating it in a microwave seems to skip this important step. Here’s what’s going on.

10 Comments
Chemistry
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Technology

Kimberley Lane, author of this article, can be seen using a camera and telephoto lens in a remote location

Best lenses for wildlife photography 2025 — crisp, detailed wildlife shots

By Kimberley Lane last updated

These are the best wildlife lenses you can buy in 2025

Technology
A Live Science Black Friday logo and a picture of Apple AirPods Pro 2 on a blue background

Our favorite AirPods are now a huge 42% off and at their lowest-ever price

By Anna Gora published

Deals Save $100 on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds at Walmart — but hurry, this early Black Friday deal will not last long.

Deals
Humanoid robot with two drones driving on the pavement in front.

New 'Transformer' humanoid robot can launch a shapeshifting drone off its back — watch it in action

By Bobby Hellard published

Developed at Caltech, a new robot is a humanoid that can launch an M4 drone, switching between different modes of motion, with wheels that can become rotors.

Robotics
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