All Stories
- Planets
Cosmic collision may have given birth to Pluto’s moons
Hubble Space Telescope photos reveal that the Pluto family may have formed from debris left behind after something slammed into the dwarf planet.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Photovoltaic
This effect allows us to convert sunlight into electricity and is a popular renewable energy source.
- Animals
This endangered species gives new meaning to ‘single mom’
Scientists have found DNA evidence that in the wild, sawfish have produced offspring without mating. That’s a first for an animal with a backbone.
- Space
News Brief: Surprise — comet lander awoke!
Scientists think the lander’s instruments may have lots to share about comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in coming days to weeks.
- Fossils
That’s no dino!
Not all ancient reptiles were dinosaurs. Some soared, many swam the seas and still others looked like dinos—but actually weren’t.
- Genetics
A germ stopper for blood products
A new system can disable almost all viruses or bacteria that are lurking in donated blood platelets and plasma.
- Health & Medicine
MERS virus hits South Korea hard
MERS — a killer viral disease — emerged for the first time only three years ago. That was in the Middle East. Now it has spread to Asia.
- Life
Explainer: What is a virus?
Viruses cause many of the world’s common diseases. These germs reproduce by hijacking the cells of their host.
- Earth
Gulf oil spill: Still poisoning dolphins to crickets
Once the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill ended, oil continued to harm animals in the Gulf of Mexico. Five years later, it still may not be over, biologists worry.
- Animals
Biowarfare saves bats from killer fungus
Good news for bats. Those infected with white-nose syndrome may be cured by a brief exposure to fumes from therapeutic bacteria.
- Earth
Scientists Say: Eutrophication
When a body of water is filled with nutrients, algae and plants may take advantage. And their presence isn’t always a good thing.
- Math
To really learn, fail — then fail again!
Hands-on learning through trial and error is becoming more popular in schools. The good news: Mistakes can be very helpful.
