Ashley Yeager

Associate Editor, Science News

Ashley Yeager is the associate news editor at Science News. She is fascinated by the stars and the stuff between them — so much so that she once worked at one of the world’s largest telescopes and more recently wrote a book about astronomer Vera Rubin. Ashley has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master’s degree in science writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She enjoys hiking with her dogs, swimming and reading.

All Stories by Ashley Yeager

  1. Microbes

    Giant cave crystals may be home to 50,000-year-old microbes

    Microbes trapped in crystals in Mexico's Naica mine may represent some of the most distinct life forms ever found. The microbes have remained dormant for up to 50,000 years.

  2. Planets

    New solar system found to have 7 Earth-size planets

    A neighboring star system hosts seven Earth-like planets. Especially surprising: Three of those planets appear to reside in a zone that could support life as we know it.

  3. Space

    Rivers of stars flow between ‘clouds’ orbiting the Milky Way

    Two streams of stars flow between dwarf galaxies known as the Magellanic Clouds. This new finding could give clues to the structure of our Milky Way galaxy.

  4. Genetics

    World’s tallest corn towers nearly 14 meters

    Short nights and a genetic tweak helped novel corn reach record heights.

  5. Environment

    Food-like smell on plastic may lure seabirds to eat it

    When plastic smells like supper, seabirds and other animals can be fooled into thinking it is food.

  6. Health & Medicine

    Headed to a concert this summer? Pack earplugs

    Wearing earplugs at concerts and other loud events may prevent hearing loss and permanent ear damage, a new study suggests.

  7. Environment

    Breathing very dirty air may boost obesity risk

    Breathing dirty Beijing air made rats heavier and less healthy than rats breathing clean air. Scientists now worry such polluted air may do the same thing to people.

  8. Plants

    Less brilliant flowers still keep bees coming back

    Bumblebees prefer petals that aren’t overly shimmery. This suggests plants are attuned to what insects see.

  9. Environment

    Not so sweet: Fake sugar found at sea

    Sucralose — sold in stores as Splenda — has begun turning up in seawater. This raises concern about the fake sweetener’s impacts on the environment.

  10. Health & Medicine

    From lime green … to lime purple?

    Citrus with health-boosting purple plant pigments don’t usually grow in warmer climates. Genetic engineering could change that.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Heart damage linked to obesity in kids

    Doctors are finding signs of heart damage in obese children as young as 8 years old.

  12. Environment

    Table salt and shellfish can contain plastic

    Bits of plastic have turned up in sea salts purchased in Chinese supermarkets. The finding suggests all sea salts may be similarly tainted. Shellfish too.