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Fossils

Study claims to have found oldest human fossils

Humans, as a species, may be much older than previously thought. They also may have evolved further North and West of the suspected cradle of human evolution.

Genetics

Cool Jobs: New tools to solve crimes

Future investigators may identify criminals by the microbes they leave behind or by using DNA-like evidence from strands of their hair.

Planets

Jupiter gets surprisingly complex new portrait

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has sent back unexpected details about Jupiter, giving scientists their first close-up of this gas giant.

Environment

Is your home chilly? This might just be healthy

Feeling mildly cold (or a bit too warm) forces the body to adjust what it’s doing to maintain a healthy temperature. And that can do a body good, data now show.

Animals

Underwater robot vacuums up lionfish

Lionfish damage coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean. A new underwater robot hunts, stuns and captures the bullies with help from a human operator.

Genetics

Scientists Say: Chromosome

This threadlike structure is made of DNA wrapped around protein. It allows the 3 billion base pairs in human DNA to stay neatly packaged in a cell.

Health & Medicine

Plant extract mutes germs to fight infections

A plant extract prevents the aggressive behavior seen in some germs. Using it could fight the development of most bladder infections, a teen’s research suggests.

Health & Medicine

Adding ice to medics’ kits could help patients survive blood loss

Placing an ice bag on the face should increase blood pressure — and oxygen to the brain — in people who have experienced life-threatening blood loss, a new study finds.

Environment

Maybe ‘shade balls’ should not be balls

So-called shade balls have a range of uses in water reservoirs, from cutting evaporation to reducing the growth of algae. But the best performers might not actually be balls, a Florida teen now shows.

Health & Medicine

Are fidget spinners tools or toys?

Fidget spinners are all the rage. Therapists say toys such as these can help some kids calm down and pay attention.

Brain

When is an epileptic seizure about to strike?

Two high-school research projects suggest ways to identify early warnings of a coming epileptic seizure. This might give people time to free themselves from potentially dangerous activities.

Earth

Tiny air pollutants inflame airways and harm heart

New studies show how tiny bits of air pollution, called particulate matter, can lead to health problems ranging from chronic runny noses to heart disease.