General Relativity passes the Ratio's Test By Daniel Garisto Using gravitational waves to approximate pi, physicists see no problem with Einstein's theory of general relativity.
An astronomer calculated that Earth's intelligent life is probably 'rare.' Here's what that means. By Rafi Letzter A new paper used an advanced "Bayesian" model to show that the emergence of intelligent life on Earth was probably a lucky break.
Why bats don't get sick from the viruses they carry, but humans can By Livia O. Loureiro Bats carry a lot of viruses, some of which make people sick. So why don't bats get sick from these pathogens?
Russian military satellite launch spawns space-junk fireball over Australia (video) By Mike Wall Russia launched a military satellite to orbit on Friday (May 22), and the mission generated plenty of drama in the downward direction as well.
New Marsquake study could shatter theories on how Mars was born By Gemma Lavender Tantalizing details about Mars' seismic activity have been revealed for the very first time.
The world's oldest temple was built along a grand geometric plan By Yasemin Saplakoglu The construction of Göbekli Tepe was "a deviation from the hunting and gathering way of life."
Ready, SETI, go: Is there a race to contact E.T.? By Leonard David Researchers using China's huge new FAST radio telescope are piecing together a technological strategy to carry out a major and sweeping search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
Colonizing Mars may require humanity to tweak its DNA By Mike Wall Genetic enhancement could allow humanity to push surprisingly far out into the final frontier.
Strange ice formations may have tricked physicists into seeing mysterious particles that weren't there By Rafi Letzter What if one of the strangest, most unsettling findings in particle physics turned out to be an illusion? A new study suggest a simple physical explanation for a mysterious event.
Coronavirus vaccine developed in China shows promise after early study in 100 people By Rachael Rettner A potential coronavirus vaccine developed in China appeared safe and able to generate an immune response after an early trial in more than 100 people.
The coronavirus 'does not spread easily' from touching surfaces or objects, CDC says By Yasemin Saplakoglu Still, spread through contaminated surfaces remains "possible," agency says
Live Science podcast 'Life's Little Mysteries' special report: Coronavirus (May 21) By Live Science Staff In this special episode of Life's Little Mysteries, we'll give you the latest news and answer frequently asked questions about the new coronavirus and COVID-19.
Massive disk galaxy could change our understanding of how galaxies are born By Chelsea Gohd A massive, rotating disk galaxy that first formed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, could upend our understanding of galaxy formation, scientists suggest in a new study.
The CDC is lumping positive COVID-19 viral and antibody tests together. Here's why that's bad. By Nicoletta Lanese The CDC and several states have been reporting COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody test results together.
Giant tectonic plate under Indian Ocean is breaking in two By Laura Geggel The India-Australia-Capricorn plate is breaking up at a rate of about 2 millimeters a year.
Mysterious inflammatory syndrome tied to COVID-19 is showing up in adults in their early 20s By Rachael Rettner A mysterious inflammatory syndrome tied to COVID-19 that has been reported in children is now also turning up in young adults in their early 20s.
Pollen-starved bumblebees bite 'half-moons' into plants to make them bloom By Nicoletta Lanese Scientists don't yet know when or how the behavior evolved.
Death mask of King Henry VII is brought to astonishing life in a digital restoration By Mindy Weisberger A highly detailed digital replica of the face of England's King Henry VII offers a glimpse of how the monarch may have looked in life.
300,000-year-old remains of towering elephant species discovered in Germany By Laura Geggel The elephant likely died of old age, and stone tools nearby indicate it was scavenged.
Hawaii just got a new 'largest volcano on Earth.' (Condolences to Mauna Loa.) By Brandon Specktor Scientists used sonar and gravimeters to measure the gargantuan Pūhāhonu volcano in Hawaii — and it's the world's biggest.
