Planet Earth

Ice calving from the fracture zone of a glacier crashes into the ocean in Greenland. Melting of such glacial ice is leading to the warping of Earth's crust.

Humanity could be just 3 years away from crossing a dire climate threshold, report warns

By Ben Turner published

Record carbon emissions mean that the planet's carbon budget could be exceeded in as little as three years, according to a new report.

Climate change
Close-up of tree roots underground.

Plants have a secret, second set of roots deep underground that scientists didn't know about

By Olivia Ferrari published

A global analysis deep in soil found 20% of plants studied have an unexpected deeper set of roots more than 3 feet underground.

Plants
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Space

Did light exist at the beginning of the universe?

By Charles Q. Choi published

Was it dark after the Big Bang, or did light shine immediately?

Cosmology

Summer solstice arrives in North America

By Jamie Carter last updated

The summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, falls on June 20 this year in North America, and June 21 in Europe.

The Sun
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archaeology

Assyrian swimmers: 2,900-year-old carving of soldiers using inflatable goat skins to cross a river

By Kristina Killgrove published

A carved panel found at Nimrud depicts Assyrian soldiers swimming across a river and using inflatable goat skins as floaties.

Archaeology

Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'

By Alexander McNamara published

June 21, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Human Evolution
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World of science

Health

Our reviewer testing the Urevo SpaceWalk E4W treadmill

Best exercise equipment for beginners 2025: Everything you need to start your fitness journey

By Anna Gora last updated

Buying guides This is the best beginner-friendly workout kit you can buy in every category, from Aviron Strong Series rower and Peloton bike to Liforme yoga mat.

Buying guides
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 being worn by our reviewer

Best budget fitness trackers 2025: Cheap but mighty

By Maddy Biddulph, Anna Gora last updated

Buying Guide These are the best budget fitness trackers you can buy in every category, from Fitbit Inspire 3 and Xiaomi Smart Band 9 to Garmin Forerunner 165.

Buying Guide

Ketamine may treat depression by 'flattening the brain's hierarchies,' small study suggests

By Jane Palmer published

Ketamine leads to increased communication between areas of the brain that don't typically engage with each other, new research suggests.

Neuroscience
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Animals

Face of a Bearcat or binturong between leaves of trees.

Binturong: The bearcat that smells like hot buttered popcorn

By Lydia Smith published

Binturongs' popcorn perfume plays a vital role in communication, helping them mark their territory and signal their presence to others in dense tropical rainforests.

Land Mammals
A blanding's turtle photographed underwater at White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Which animals can hold their breath underwater the longest?

By James Price published

Many animals that live in water need to come up to the surface to breathe, but they can still spend impressive lengths of time submerged thanks to a few clever tricks.

Animals

Crows: Facts about the clever birds that live all over the world

By Marilyn Perkins, Alina Bradford last updated

Discover interesting facts about how crows remember faces, mimic human speech and more.

Birds
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Human Behavior

Girl reading books in front of a cartoon space scene

48 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

Strikingly simple 'dial' in the brain may help it distinguish imagination from reality

By Payal Dhar published

Activity levels in a specific region of the brain predict whether we think something is real, irrespective of whether we've seen it or imagined it.

Human Behavior

People's mental health often improves after weight-loss surgery. A study pinpoints the real reason why.

By Marianne Guenot published

Feeling less stigma — not losing weight — was linked to better mental health and eating behaviors after bariatric surgery.

Human Behavior
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Physics & Mathematics

'Dreadful danger for all mankind': Einstein's powerful anti-war letter goes up for auction

By Joanna Thompson published

A fiery letter written by Albert Einstein in 1954 is going to auction. The letter details Einstein's thoughts on his part in developing atomic weapons, and hails Mahatma Gandhi as a political genius.

Physics & Mathematics

Mathematicians discover a completely new way to find prime numbers

By Rachel Crowell published

Using a notion called integer partitions, mathematicians have discovered a new way to detect prime numbers while also connecting two areas of math in an unexpected way

Mathematics

'A bundle of microscopic tornadoes' may be building the cosmic web

By Andrey Feldman published

When invisible dark matter spins, it may form clumps of "vortexes" that stretch across space, forming the cosmic web that links all galaxies, new research proposes.

Particle Physics
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Chemistry

A cross-section of the new copper alloy, with the orange dots representing copper atoms, the yellow tantalum atoms, and the blue lithium atoms.

Scientists create ultra-tough copper alloy that is stronger than steel and can withstand temperatures of 1500 F

By Ben Turner published

The new super-strong copper alloy can be used to build better airplanes and spacecraft.

Chemistry
a deer's breath is visible in the cold air

Why does nearly all life breathe oxygen?

By Harrison Tasoff published

Nitrogen comprises around 78% of Earth's atmosphere, so why do most lifeforms breathe oxygen?

Chemistry
Plastic waste by the ocean

Scientists break down cheap plastic using the air — and turn it into something far more valuable

By Ben Turner published

Scientists developed a new method for breaking down one of the most common plastics to a byproduct that can be upcycled into more valuable materials.

Chemistry
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Technology

man photographing microscope specimen with a phone

How to photograph your microscope specimens

By Heather Barker published

How to take still and video images of your favorite specimens: from attaching a camera to choosing a digital camera that photographs directly.

Technology
3D illustration of Symbol of an eye , butterflies and mathematical formulas on the subject of AI hallucinations.

AI hallucinates more frequently the more advanced it gets. Is there any way of stopping it?

By Roland Moore-Colyer published

OpenAI's most advanced reasoning model is smarter than ever — but it hallucinates more than previous models, too.

Artificial Intelligence
The optical power beaming receiver designed for DARPA's power-beaming experiment.

DARPA smashes wireless power record, beaming energy more than 5 miles away — and uses it to make popcorn

By Ben Turner published

The feat has significant applications for military purposes and space-based solar power.

Technology
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