Is swimming cardio?

By Harry Bullmore published 27 September 22

We all know it’s a great way to stay in shape, but is swimming cardio?

An image of the rat hippocampus taken with a laser microscope, showing small neurons in green, yellow and blue. The hippocampus is a key brain region for memory formation.

How does the brain store memories?

By Stephanie Pappas published 27 September 22

The brain stores memories by creating new circuits of communication between neurons. In particular, seahorse-shaped structures called hippocampi play an important role.

An illustration showing large ripples bending the spiral arms of the Milky Way

The Milky Way is 'rippling' like a pond, and scientists may finally know why

By Brandon Specktor published 27 September 22

New research suggests that a strange 'ripple' is causing the Milky Way's stars to vibrate out of step, and an ancient collision with Sagittarius may be to blame.

An artist's depiction of the DART spacecraft approaching Dimorphos, with the larger Didymos in the background.

NASA just redirected an asteroid by smashing a spacecraft into it

By Ben Turner published 26 September 22

The test will help scientists learn how to stop catastrophic asteroid impacts.

Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth today (Sept. 26) in 59 years

By Robert Lea published 26 September 22

Skywatchers will get a rare opportunity to see Jupiter in its full glory when its opposition happens at the same time as its closest approach to Earth.

A graphic shows hurricane ian's current position south of cuba, and traces its projected path over western cuba and to the west florida coast

Hurricane Ian to reach Category 3 before hitting Cuba, turning toward West Florida

By Nicoletta Lanese published 26 September 22

Hurricane Ian is approaching Cuba and the western Florida coast.

Scientist using tweezers to examine lab-grown meat in petri dish

Lab-grown meat: How it's made, sustainability and nutrition

By Becks Shepherd published 26 September 22

Reference Lab-grown meat is a genetically engineered product that uses biotechnology. But is it healthier than meat reared from livestock?

Reference

Full moon shines on Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft

NASA calls off Artemis 1 launch as Hurricane Ian threatens Florida

By Ben Turner published 26 September 22

The rocket has been plagued by technical and weather problems since its wet dress rehearsal in April.

The world's first Arctic wolf clone was recently born in China.

World's first wolf clone born to surrogate dog, Chinese company reveals

By Harry Baker published 26 September 22

A Chinese pet-cloning company has successfully cloned an Arctic wolf for the first time. The adorable pup is proof that cloning could be used to help save endangered species.

An artist's illustration of the plesiosaur.

Newfound 'snaky croc-face' sea monster unearthed in Wyoming

By Jennifer Nalewicki published 26 September 22

Researchers in Wyoming have named a new species of plesiosaur defined by its long neck and snappy jaws.

Mineral inclusion in a diamond, containing ringwoodite, enstatite and ferropericlase.

Rare diamonds suggest water lurks much deeper in Earth's interior than scientists thought

By Rebecca Sohn published 26 September 22

Clues about water in Earth's deep interior were recently extracted from rare diamonds.

Pregnant woman standing behind row of food

10 foods to avoid during pregnancy

By Louise Bond published 26 September 22

Reference From raw fish to caffeine, here are the foods to avoid during pregnancy so that you can protect yourself and your baby

Reference

South African cycad weevil (Antliarhinus zamiae)

Which animal has the largest head?

By JoAnna Wendel published 26 September 22

The largest head in the animal kingdom likely belongs to the blue whale, while the largest relative to body size comes from an unlikely source.

woman looking at supplements in a pharmacy

Do supplements help hair growth?

By Nathaniel Lee published 26 September 22

Reference New products promoting hair growth, or preventing hair loss, are driving a booming market — but do supplements help hair growth?

Reference

foods sources of selenium on a wooden board

Selenium: Health benefits, risks & deficiency

By Anna Gora published 26 September 22

Selenium is a trace mineral that’s essential for immunity and thyroid health — here’s where to find it in your diet

Woman doing high kick during exercise while wearing VR headset

Can VR fitness replace the gym?

By Ben Huxley published 26 September 22

Is it time to ditch the gym membership and strap on a VR headset? We look at where VR can fit into your fitness regime.

Amazon is offering up to 38% off these AmScope Microscopes for kids and students

By Lloyd Coombes published 26 September 22

Save on these beginner microscope kits with Amazon’s Back-to-School Sale.

Why do people have phobias?

By Joe Phelan published 26 September 22

Are some people more prone to developing phobias, and are these extreme aversions permanent?

An illustration of the influenza virus (giant blue sphere) surrounded by human antibodies (small y-shaped orange shapes).

Which flu shot should I get?

By Rachael Rettner published 26 September 22

With so many different types of flu vaccines available for the 2022-2023 season, which flu shot is right for you?

A composite view of Protocodium sinense, a new species of green algae from more than 541 million years ago. To the left is an external view of the fossil, followed by a view through the outer layer (green) and an image of the inner core (gold).

Plants evolved even earlier than we thought, exquisite 3D fossils suggest

By Stephanie Pappas published 26 September 22

The oldest three-dimensional green algae fossil ever found dates back more than half a billion years and may reveal that plants are older than believed.