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Friday the 13th solar storm could bring auroras to 18 US states this weekend
By Harry Baker published
Space weather experts warn that a "moderate" geomagnetic storm could rock Earth over the weekend, potentially lighting the skies with vibrant auroras across large parts of the U.S. and Europe.

People can be identified by their breathing patterns with 97% accuracy
By Emma Bryce published
Breathing patterns among humans are so unique that they can work as an identification tool, scientists report. They propose someday using breath as a way to diagnose disease.

Groundwater in the Colorado River basin won't run out — but eventually we won’t be able to get at it, scientists warn
By Chris Simms published
The Colorado River basin has lost a Lake Mead’s worth of water in the last 20 years — and scientists say we’re passing a "critical point" where pumping groundwater will become too expensive.

Enslaved Africans led a decade-long rebellion 1,200 years ago in Iraq, new evidence suggests
By Owen Jarus published
The Zanj, enslaved people largely from Africa, rebelled at the same time they were ordered to build a massive system of canals in what is now Iraq, a new study finds.

There's a new blood test for Alzheimer's — here's how it works
By Theresa Sullivan Barger published
In patients showing cognitive decline, a new blood test for Alzheimer's is expected to make diagnosis more convenient, accessible and inexpensive than other existing tests.

Monster black hole jet from the early universe is basking in the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang
By Harry Baker published
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has captured a striking image of a distant quasar from the "cosmic noon," including a giant energy jet "being illuminated by the leftover glow from the Big Bang itself."

Doctors could combat antibiotic resistance — and save lives — by tracking superbug evolution in real time, study hints
By Shira Gordon published
A new proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility of tracking the evolution of superbug infections in real time to help save infected patients.

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.

Strange pits on 'hobbit' teeth and other archaic humans could reveal hidden links in our family tree
By Kristina Killgrove published
Small clusters of pits in tooth enamel may be traced back to a single evolutionary lineage millions of years ago.

One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
By Kristina Killgrove published
A surprisingly large leather shoe has been found at Magna, a Roman fort in northern England.

Earth's oceans are a 'ticking time bomb' as acidity levels enter 'danger zone,' study suggests
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers have found that ocean acidification entered a "danger zone" in 2020, suggesting increased carbon dioxide levels have caused Earth to breach another planetary boundary.

Bottom of the sun becomes visible to humans for the first time in history (photos)
By Brandon Specktor published
For the first time, scientists have imaged the elusive south pole of the sun. The images captured by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft reveal our star's magnetic field is a powder keg ready to blow.

Astronomers discover most powerful cosmic explosions since the Big Bang
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have discovered a new class of bright, long-lasting cosmic explosions that offer a new probe into studying the universe's most distant black holes.

New menstrual pad device tracks period blood for signs of disease
By Rachel Somerstein published
Scientists are developing a new device that fits inside a menstrual pad and checks for "biomarkers" of disease in period blood.

Ottoman-era burial found in Israel may violate Islamic tradition
By Tom Metcalfe published
The unusual grave of a Bedouin woman who may have been buried with her son was found in southern Israel.

Almost half of California's faults — including San Andreas — are overdue for earthquakes
By Stephanie Pappas published
California's earthquakes are far more likely to be "overdue" compared with earthquakes in the rest of the world.

Meet 'Dragon prince' — the newly discovered T. rex relative that roamed Mongolia 86 million years ago
By Chris Simms published
A new species of dinosaur that was probably a princely ancestor of T. rex, the king of the dinosaurs, has been identified from fossils excavated in Mongolia.

'Strawberry Moon' in pictures: Major lunar standstill sees June's full moon hang low in the sky
By Patrick Pester published
Last night's "Strawberry Moon" hovered lower in the night sky than it had done since 2006. Here are some stunning global snaps of June's full moon during the major lunar standstill.
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