All Stories

Earth

As Yellowstone’s supervolcano slumbers, another big danger lurks

Superheated water beneath Yellowstone could fuel hydrothermal explosions with the force of an atomic bomb. And lessons from the past suggest they could happen today.

Tech

New system uses evaporation to greatly cool artificial turf

It relies on rainwater that gets stored below a field of plastic "grass." The design also limits how much rain — and pollution — will run off artificial turf.

Physics

Experiment: Making music with bottles

In this study, we investigate how the volume of air inside a bottle affects the pitch of the musical notes it can create.

Animals

Let’s learn about orangutans

These shaggy, red-haired apes are more solitary than other primates, but moms and babies share a strong bond.

Physics

Scientists Say: Magnetosphere

This magnetic field encapsulates our planet, sheltering us from damaging energetic threats posed by the cosmos and our own sun.

Planets

‘Percy,’ NASA’s rover, finds its first hint of ancient life on Mars

The robot examined a Mars rock containing organic compounds and “leopard spots.” On Earth, such spots usually come from microbial life.

Tech

Want to spot a deepfake? Focus on the eyes  

A technique from astronomy could help detect deepfakes by spotting unrealistic reflections in the eyes of AI-generated images.

Health & Medicine

Want to avoid getting sick? Adopt these immune-boosting behaviors

Research points to ways we can work to stay healthy, even in the face of germs.

Health & Medicine

Python fangs inspired a fix for shoulder injuries common in sports

Curved teeth could grip fragile shoulder tendons without tearing, making rotator-cuff repairs stronger and more likely to last. 

Tech

Did builders of Egypt’s first pyramid use a water-powered elevator?

A controversial study suggests that ancient people might have used one to hoist the stones used to assemble into King Djoser’s pyramid.

Space

Here’s why some shooting stars have long-lasting afterglows

Atmospheric chemistry is the most important factor in determining which meteors leave behind these persistent trails.

Space

Summer ‘space hurricanes’ are emerging high above Earth’s magnetic poles

A separation — and later recombining — of Earth’s magnetic field lines may be what churns up these super-high-altitude storms of plasma.