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Latest News

A person holds a tiny gold foil figure.

1,400-year-old gold figures depicting Norse gods unearthed at former pagan temple

Jennifer Nalewicki published 4 October 23

Archaeologists in Norway unearthed dozens of tiny gold-foil figures at a former pagan temple.

The expansion of the universe represented by the two leading methods: the expanding shell of supernova and the cosmic microwave background.

'Remarkably symmetrical' star explosions could reveal the true expansion rate of the universe

Robert Lea published 4 October 23

Two conflicting methods to measure the expansion rate of the universe give different results, but researchers could resolve the disparity by watching merging neutron stars explode.

A syringe is filled with Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine by a woman in blue surgical gloves.

Who should get the new COVID vaccines? What to know about the 2023-2024 shots

Nicoletta Lanese last updated 4 October 23

New COVID vaccines have been approved to guard against coronavirus variants that are currently circulating.

The monument for Marie Sklodowska Curie, the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences: the Nobel Prize for physics in 1903 (jointly with her husband), and the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1911.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 1901-Present

Live Science Staff last updated 4 October 23

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry includes famous winners such as Marie Curie and Otto Hahn.

close up of a person's hand as they extract vaccine from a vial labeled "novavax"

Novavax's new COVID vaccine cleared for use by FDA

Nicoletta Lanese published 4 October 23

An updated COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax has been authorized by the FDA, joining the two vaccines already cleared for use.

An artist's illustration of Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov.

Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to trio who discovered bizarre quantum dots

Ben Turner published 4 October 23

Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov will share the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of strange nanoparticles that change color according to their size.

The discovery includes two roughly 1,200-year-old brooches, made from bronze and once gilded with gold, that may have belonged to an aristocratic woman.
Norwegian family finds 1,200-year-old Viking treasure while searching for a lost earring in their yard The discovery includes two roughly 1,200-year-old brooches, made from bronze and once gilded with gold, that may have belonged to an aristocratic woman.
A new analysis of more than 330,000 genomes has revealed specific gene variants that may be associated with vegetarianism.
Going vegetarian? The dietary choice may be influenced by your genes. A new analysis of more than 330,000 genomes has revealed specific gene variants that may be associated with vegetarianism.
The newly identified titanosaur, Garumbatitan morellensis, roamed what is now Spain around 122 million years ago. The unusual shape of some of its bones could hold clues about the evolutionary history of a unique group of sauropods.
Giant never-before-seen long-necked 'titan' dinosaur unearthed in Europe The newly identified titanosaur, Garumbatitan morellensis, roamed what is now Spain around 122 million years ago. The unusual shape of some of its bones could hold clues about the evolutionary history of a unique group of sauropods.
The Perseverance rover has captured footage of an unusually large twister, or "dust devil," moving across the Martian landscape. Based on images of the swirling storm, researchers estimate that it could be more than a mile tall.
Massive Martian 'dust devil' filmed by NASA's Perseverance rover is 5 times taller than the Empire State Building The Perseverance rover has captured footage of an unusually large twister, or "dust devil," moving across the Martian landscape. Based on images of the swirling storm, researchers estimate that it could be more than a mile tall.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax has been authorized by the FDA, joining the two vaccines already cleared for use.
Novavax's new COVID vaccine cleared for use by FDA An updated COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax has been authorized by the FDA, joining the two vaccines already cleared for use.
Archaeologists excavating an ancient necropolis have unearthed a Roman-era sarcophagus containing the remains of a second-century woman, who was buried with oil lamps and accessories.
'Exceptional' 1,800-year-old sarcophagus unearthed in France held woman of 'special status' Archaeologists excavating an ancient necropolis have unearthed a Roman-era sarcophagus containing the remains of a second-century woman, who was buried with oil lamps and accessories.
Traditional antibiotics drive bacteria toward drug resistance, so scientists are looking to viruses, CRISPR, designer molecules and protein swords for better treatments.
Dangerous 'superbugs' are a growing threat, and antibiotics can't stop their rise. What can? Traditional antibiotics drive bacteria toward drug resistance, so scientists are looking to viruses, CRISPR, designer molecules and protein swords for better treatments.

Planet Earth

A silver-colored raw chunk of neodymium stone, part of the rare earth group, the world's strongest magnetic ore used in the technology industry.

Why are rare earth elements so rare?

By Victoria Atkinson published 1 October 23

There are 17 rare earth elements on the periodic table, but a better name for them would be the "troublesome earths." Here's why.

Geology
A lone stone grave surrounded by wild summer flowers meadow with a stone wall in the background.

After you die, your microbiome cooperates with soil microbes to 'recycle' your body

By Jennifer DeBruyn published 29 September 23

After you die, bacteria harvest your body for the nutrients that help push daisies.

Microbiology
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  1. We see a skeleton face down in a dirt grave. The ankles are very close together, indicating that they were once bound.
    1
    Medieval girl buried face down with bound ankles, likely so she couldn't 'return' from the grave
  2. 2
    An incorrect version of 'Prayer of David' discovered at 'Little Castle' in West Bank
  3. 3
    James Webb telescope spots thousands of Milky Way lookalikes that 'shouldn't exist' swarming across the early universe
  4. 4
    James Webb telescope's observations of 'impossible' galaxies at the dawn of time may finally have an explanation
  5. 5
    Giant never-before-seen long-necked 'titan' dinosaur unearthed in Europe

Space

Galaxy Undergoing a Starburst Artist's Impression space wallpaper

James Webb telescope's observations of 'impossible' galaxies at the dawn of time may finally have an explanation

By Ben Turner published 3 October 23

A new set of simulations suggests that the unusual brightness of early galaxies discovered by the James Webb telescope could be because of a strange, rapid-burst mode of star formation.

Cosmology
A photo of the "mineral flower" alongside other diagenetic features on the surface of Mars captured by NASA's Curiosity rover on Feb. 25.

15 Martian objects that aren't what they seem

By Stephanie Pappas, Natalie Wolchover, Brandon Specktor published 3 October 23

From Martian 'faces' to blueberries and bears, the Red Planet has long tricked human minds into seeing signs of life that aren't there.

Mars
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archaeology

This inscription of part of a psalm was found on a stone on the floor of the monastery.

An incorrect version of 'Prayer of David' discovered at 'Little Castle' in West Bank

By Owen Jarus published 3 October 23

A 1,500-year-old text recording a section of Psalm 86 — also known as "A prayer of David" — has been discovered in what was a monastery in the West Bank.

Archaeology
A picture of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain at dawn.

100-year-old origin theory of Stonehenge's iconic Altar Stone could be wrong, scientists say

By Sascha Pare published 3 October 23

A new analysis of the Altar Stone at Stonehenge suggests it may have come from as far north as Scotland, allowing for "creative thinking" about its archaeological significance.

Archaeology
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Health

Woman suffering from dizziness with difficulty standing up.

Why do you get dizzy if you stand up too fast?

By Anna Gora published 3 October 23

It's normal for you to occasionally get dizzy and for your vision to go dark when you stand up, but it can sometimes be a sign of a chronic health condition.

Heart & Circulation
Stock photo composite of the Garmin Fenix 7s

Limited-time deal — save $140 on the high-end Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar smartwatch

By Ravi Davda published 3 October 23

Deal Get your hands on the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar for $659 at Amazon. It features stand-out battery life and stacks of useful features.

Deal
Stock photo of the Echelon Connect ES-5s

We love the Echelon Connect EX-5s exercise bike — today it's just $999

By Ravi Davda published 3 October 23

Deal The highly-rated Echelon Connect EX-5s exercise bike is available for less than $1,000 at Amazon — a 33% saving!

Deal
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Animals

Rubidgeinae skull

'They seemed primed to take over': How the Great Dying doomed the 'beast tooth' and set the stage for the dawn of the dinosaurs

By Michael Mann published 1 October 23

This excerpt from Michael Mann's latest book looks at the Cambrian explosion, the Great Dying and how dinosaurs were able to take over thanks to changes to the climate 250 million years ago.

Extinct Species
an amber snail with green stripy eyestalks infected with the Green-banded broodsac parasite sitting on a yellow petal

Green-banded broodsac: The brain-hijacking parasite that creates disco zombie snails

By Megan Shersby published 30 September 23

This parasitic worm crawls into the eyestalks of snails, takes over its brain then pulsates to make the mollusk look like a dancing caterpillar.

Snails
Salmon Copper River King and Sockeye Fish on ice in public market closeup.

Why is fish so smelly?

By Hannah Loss published 30 September 23

Fish smell is from degrading lipids and bacterial reactions that increase in potency over time.

Fish
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Human Behavior

Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, David Grusch, former National Reconnaissance Officer Representative of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force at the U.S. Department of Defense, and Retired Navy Commander David Fravor take their seats as they arrive for a House Oversight Committee hearing titled "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency" on Capitol Hill 26, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Several witnesses are testifying about their experience with possible UFO encounters and discussion about a potential covert government program concerning debris from crashed, non-human origin spacecraft.

How wealthy UFO fans helped fuel fringe beliefs

By Keith Kloor published 16 September 23

There is a long U.S. legacy of plutocrat-funded pseudoscience. Congress just embraced it.

Human Behavior
A rock from Mars which looks like a face taken by the Viking 1 spacecraft

What is pareidolia?

By Tia Ghose last updated 13 September 23

Pareidolia is the phenomenon in which people see faces or other patterns in ambiguous images, such as Jesus on toast or the man in the moon.

Human Behavior
Stressed teen suffering heat stroke on the beach.

Hot weather could boost aggression — but only in certain conditions

By Stephanie Pappas published 4 September 23

Under some circumstances, people may become more aggressive when they're overheated. But other decision-making doesn't seem to be affected.

Human Behavior
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Physics & Mathematics

An illustration of gravitational waves.

Nobel Prize in Physics: 1901-Present

By Live Science Staff last updated 3 October 23

Here's a look at all winners of the Nobel Prize in physics, including Steven Chu, Aage Niels Bohr and Enrico Fermi.

Physics & Mathematics
An artist's sketch of Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier

Nobel Prize in physics awarded to three scientists who glimpsed the inner world of atoms with tiny light pulses

By Ben Turner published 3 October 23

The trio devised methods for creating the tiniest slices of light.

Physics & Mathematics
Antimatter illustration.

Major CERN experiment proves antigravity doesn't exist — at least when it comes to antimatter

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 27 September 23

New research showing that elusive antimatter falls downward toward the Earth proves Albert Einstein right yet again.

Gravity
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Chemistry

One-line drawing of a complex pattern with rectangular and 45° angles as well as multiple line crossings. The inset shows the intended result (Das Haus vom Nikolaus).

For 1st time, scientists write words in liquid water

By Victoria Atkinson published 28 September 23

Scientists used a process called 'diffusioosmosis' to write words that lingered in liquid water.

Chemistry
An old kettle boils on a small bonfire at the beach with a picnic basket in the background.

What's the highest temperature water can freeze, and the lowest it can boil on Earth?

By Cameron Duke published 25 September 23

Ice can form on Earth at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), and water can boil below 212 F (100 C). Here's how.

Chemistry
The rose window in the narthex, Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, Alsace, France.

Is glass a liquid or a solid?

By Victoria Atkinson published 24 September 23

Glass has unique properties, but is it a solid or a liquid, or does it fall into its own scientific category?

Chemistry
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Tech

LG Gram 16 laptop

Save over $400 on this LG laptop at Best Buy

By Lloyd Coombes published 4 October 23

This lightweight laptop deal is ideal for students.

Tech
Amazon Echo Pop

Amazon's Echo Pop is reduced again, now to under $20

By Lloyd Coombes published 3 October 23

Save big on Amazon's latest small smart speaker.

Tech
Image shows Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 binoculars

Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 binoculars review

By Jase Parnell-Brookes published 3 October 23

Review High-quality roof prism binoculars, the Nikon Prostaff P7s are just right for frequent observers who want all-round performance and build without a huge price tag.

Review
VIEW MORE

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