Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries

Planet Earth

The GOES-17 satellite captured images of an umbrella cloud generated by the underwater eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on Jan. 15, 2022. Crescent-shaped bow shock waves and numerous lighting strikes are also visible.

Record-shattering Tonga volcanic eruption sent atmospheric waves zipping around the Earth

By Nicoletta Lanese published 16 May 22

The eruption triggered huge atmospheric waves called Lamb waves.

Whirlpools: Facts, formation and survival tips

By Ailsa Harvey published 11 May 22

Reference Whirlpools form when fast-flowing currents in oceans and rivers constantly change direction. What do they look like and can you escape from one?

Reference

1
The 'doorway' seen on Mars is not for aliens. Here's how it really formed.
2
830 million-year-old organisms found locked in ancient crystals could be resurrected
3
Eerie 'yellow brick road' to Atlantis discovered atop ancient undersea mountain
4
See these amazing images of the Blood Moon lunar eclipse from around the world
5
Footage of hypersonic metallic UFO shown by Pentagon officials at historic hearing

Space and Physics

The LCLS-II accelerator, where temperatures 2 K above absolute zero have been achieved.

Temperatures colder than space achieved here on Earth using superconducting X-ray laser

By Robert Lea published 17 May 22

Using a superconducting X-ray laser, researchers at SLAC achieved a temperature 4 degrees Fahrenheit above absolute zero.

The Super Flower Blood Moon over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 15, 2022.

See these amazing images of the Blood Moon lunar eclipse from around the world

By Elizabeth Howell published 16 May 22

Billions of people saw the sky show Sunday (May 15) to Monday (May 16).

History

The famous Stonehenge monument in the U.K.

Stonehenge builders were infested with parasites, ancient poop reveals

By Harry Baker published 19 May 22

The builders also fed the worm-infested meat to their dogs.

Where did the Greek gods come from?

By Jonathan Gordon published 19 May 22

Inside All About History 117: Uncover the origins of the Olympian deities and their impact on ancient greek culture.

Health

A martini glass with a clear drink and olive in it.

What is vodka?

By Michael Dhar, Tia Ghose published 19 May 22

To produce vodka, you must first ferment a foodstuff that contains sugar or starch, then distill the product to increase its alcohol content. But what is vodka made from?

What science says about veganism for athletes

By Anna Gora published 19 May 22

Reference ‘Weak like a vegan’? What evidence says about veganism for athletes may surprise you

Reference

Woman holding clock and salad to symbolise intermittent fasting for women

Intermittent fasting for women: Is it safe?

By Lou Mudge published 19 May 22

Reference There are a few areas to consider when it comes to intermittent fasting for women. We spoke to a medical expert about how to approach it safely

Reference

Animals

What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly?

By Tia Ghose published 19 May 22

Though related, there are key differences between them.

A video clip shows an adult Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin rubbing against a bush-like coral on the seafloor.

Red Sea dolphins slather their skin in coral mucus, because nature is wonderfully gross

By Nicoletta Lanese published 19 May 22

Young dolphins seem to learn this skin care routine from their elders.

Lime-green Hyalinobatrachium nouns was named for the Nouns decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), a group that uses cryptocurrency to buy and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Crypto organization names newfound glass frog species — here’s why that's concerning

By Stephanie Pappas published 19 May 22

A new species of glass frog has been named by a cryptocurrency organization, triggering concern over the high environmental cost of crypto.

Strange News

U.S. Navy videos of alleged UFO sightings were previously available but had not been officially declassified.

Footage of hypersonic metallic UFO shown by Pentagon officials at historic hearing

By Ben Turner published 17 May 22

Pentagon officials speaking at the first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s have shown previously classified footage of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP).

A government employee photographed a UFO that hovered for 15 minutes near Holloman Air Development Center in New Mexico, on Dec.16, 1957.

Watch live: Pentagon UFO sightings will finally be publicly aired at today's Congressional hearing

By Ben Turner published 16 May 22

The U.S. Congress is set to hold its first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s on Tuesday (May 17). Here's what to expect.

A metal kettle attached to a log structure hangs over a campfire near a lake.

Why does wood catch fire, but metal doesn't?

By JoAnna Wendel published 15 May 22

Burning is the release of energy, and some materials like metals, can absorb energy better than others, such as wood.

Culture

Brooklyn's Mexican community marches down 5th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood during a Cinco de Mayo parade on May 7, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York

Cinco de Mayo: History and facts about the celebration of Latin culture

By Remy Melina published 4 May 22

Reference Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of Latin culture, with origins in a 19th-century battle.

Reference

Two darker skinned females against blue background. Researchers have found that as a tool for grouping people into racial categories, skin color is basically useless.

What's the difference between race and ethnicity?

By Emma Bryce published 9 April 22

Race and ethnicity are terms that are sometimes used sloppily, almost interchangeably. But race and ethnicity are not the same thing.

Nelson Mandela visits Hlengiwe School_Louise Gubb via Getty Images

What is the Mandela effect? And have you experienced it?

By Joe Phelan published 19 March 22

The Mandela effect is when many people believe that something happened when, in reality, it never did.

Tech

Best wildlife photography cameras 2022

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

BUYING GUIDE These are the best wildlife photography cameras for shooting in the Serengeti, the local zoo, and everywhere in-between.

BUYING GUIDE

Olympus OM-D E-M1X review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW Looking for ultra lightweight kit that packs a heavyweight punch? The Olympus OM-D E-M1X provides a compact system that’s ideal for wildlife and safari shooting.

REVIEW

Canon EOS R5 review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW The Canon EOS R5 is so good at photographing wildlife, it’s effectively a cheat code for capturing images of animals – not to mention humans or any other subject.

REVIEW

Latest News