Science News - Latest Scientific Discoveries

A black and white picture of the last known thylacine at Hobart Zoo, in Tasmania, shows the distinctive stripes on its lower back.

Long-extinct Tasmanian tiger may still be alive and prowling the wilderness, scientists claim

By Sascha Pare published 12 May 23

Based on reported sightings, some scientists say the iconic creature probably survived until the late 1980s or 1990s, but others are skeptical.

An orange rock that looks like an open book with a page being turned

Bizarre Martian 'book' spotted by NASA's Curiosity rover

By Harry Baker published 12 May 23

The rover spotted a tiny Martian rock that looks eerily like a fossilized book on the surface of the Red Planet.

An artist's illustration of the pliosaur, an ancient ambush predator twice the size of an orca.

'Truly gigantic' Jurassic sea monster remains discovered by chance in museum

By Ben Turner published 12 May 23

The creature is believed to be a type of pliosaur — fearsome predators that had huge skulls, giant teeth and a bite force more powerful than that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

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By Lou Mudge published 12 May 23

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By Lloyd Coombes published 12 May 23

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By Lou Mudge published 12 May 23

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Close up showing the extinct thunder beast Megacerops coloradensis on a black background

Rhino-like 'thunder beasts' grew massive in the evolutionary blink of an eye after dinos died off

By Cameron Duke published 12 May 23

Ancient mammals known as 'thunder beasts' grew 1,000 times bigger just 16 million years after the dino-killing asteroid struck.

An artist's impression of a black hole sucking in a cloud of hydrogen gas.

A messy black hole may have just triggered the largest explosion in the universe

By Ben Turner published 12 May 23

Astronomers have spotted a giant explosion releasing over 100 times more energy than the sun will release across its entire lifetime. A monster black hole is likely to blame.

a black woman with short straightened hair wears a hospital gown and is facing away from the camera. A white woman wearing scrubs is helping position the patient for a mammogram

Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, expert task force says

By Nicoletta Lanese published 11 May 23

A task force of experts recommended that female patients be screened for breast cancer starting at age 40.

Telescope observations of a 'streak of stars' rushing across the black backdrop of space

'Runaway black hole,' or sneaky galaxy in disguise? Experts are conflicted.

By Joanna Thompson published 11 May 23

A rogue black hole may not be to blame for a mysterious streak of stars coursing through space, a new study suggests.

A preserved Neanderthal tooth partly wrapped in foil against a blue background.

'Lost' bacteria found on Neanderthal teeth could be used to develop new antibiotics

By Kristina Killgrove published 11 May 23

Fossilized dental plaque from archaic humans is revealing extinct bacteria that could lead to the development of new medicine.

photo shows a man's hands as he pulls a cigarette from a full pack

Daily smoking linked to brain shrinkage in massive study

By Carissa Wong published 11 May 23

A study involving more than 28,000 people strongly supports the idea that daily smoking shrinks the brain.

Green swirls stand out on dark blue ocean.

Mysterious 'sea swirls' off Poland's coast have a surprising explanation

By Harry Baker published 11 May 23

Researchers have discovered that unusual swirling "slicks" that occasionally appear on the Baltic Sea are actually made from floating tree pollen.

Rare and deadly albino cobra slithers into house during intense rainstorm

By Harry Baker published 11 May 23

The white snake was safely captured by wildlife experts in India before being released back into the wild.

A woman lying in bed with covers pulled over her. She holds the back of one hand up to her face as if just waking up, and her expression looks tired

Can the menstrual cycle affect people's sleep and dreams?

By Lou Mudge published 11 May 23

Reproductive hormones may interfere with sleep quality and affect dreaming at different stages of the menstrual cycle.

A close up picture of two piranha fish with their sharp triangular teeth exposed.

Piranhas swarm 8 tourists at Brazilian resort, leaving them with bloody legs and feet

By Sascha Pare published 11 May 23

Piranhas had become accustomed to the free food discarded in the river. Once first blood was drawn, the school attacked en masse.

photo of an older man with white hair and a blue shirt sleeping in bed. his mouth is slightly open and a woman can be seen lying near him covering her ears as if he's snoring

Sleep apnea linked to changes in the brain's wiring that may raise risk of dementia, stroke

By Rebecca Sohn published 10 May 23

Sleep apnea and a lack of deep sleep may be linked to abnormalities in the brain's white matter.

An illustration of the globe ribbons of bright color wrapped around it, representing the newly drafted human pangenome

1st draft of a human 'pangenome' published, adding millions of 'building blocks' to the human reference genome

By Stephanie Pappas published 10 May 23

A new version of the human reference genome incorporates genetic data from 47 individuals from around the globe, deepening scientists' view into how genes work.

Screenshots from the underwater footage taken for research purposes show humpback whales rolling on the sandy seafloor.

Humpback whales caught on film for 1st time treating themselves to a full body scrub on the seafloor

By Sascha Pare published 10 May 23

New footage shows, for the first time, how humpbacks scrub off dead skin and parasites to stay streamlined and keep their skin healthy.

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By Lou Mudge published 10 May 23

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