All Stories

Physics

A powerful laser can control the paths that lightning takes

In a mountaintop experiment, a laser beamed at the sky created a virtual lightning rod that snagged several bolts.

Psychology

There’s a real upside to knowing you could be wrong

We’re often certain that what we believe is true. But questioning those beliefs, as Galileo did, can help us learn better — and even perform better on tests.

Animals

When it’s hot, echidnas blow snot bubbles to cool off

These spiky Australian mammals have a trick to moisten their noses, allowing them to survive hot temperatures that should kill them.

Health & Medicine

Let’s learn about allergies

Allergies are caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to harmless substances.

Brain

Scientists Say: Anxiety

Some nervousness, or anxiety, is normal. Too much can be harmful.

Planets

Planets like Star Wars’ Tatooine could be fit for life

Like Luke Skywalker’s home, planets orbiting two stars may be plentiful. A new computer model suggests that many of those worlds could sustain life.

Space

The next astronauts to walk the moon will be more diverse than the last

Space agencies are preparing to send the next generation of astronauts to the moon and beyond. Here’s how future crews will differ from the last.

Health & Medicine

New brain scans may show if a concussion has not yet healed

Concussions change certain brain waves, and delta waves may be the best signs of when teens can return to competitive sports.

Tech

Think of this new tech as sunglasses for our windows

Keeping buildings cool can use a lot of energy. Thanks to quantum computing, engineers designed a coating to cut the warming light that enters windows.

Earth

Scientists Say: Equinox and Solstice

Equinoxes and solstices mark the maximums, minimums and mediums of hours spent in daylight.

Archaeology

Minding your mummies: The science of mummification

In this science project, you will learn about the rituals and science of mummification by mummifying a hot dog.

Space

Spacecraft traveling through a wormhole could send messages home

A probe going through a wormhole should be able to send messages home before such a tunnel forever closes, a new computer model finds.