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Chemistry

An image of a rock on Mars taken by the NASA rover Perseverance. Rocky white stripes flank a clay-colored area that is speckled with dark spots.

‘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.

By Lisa GrossmanSeptember 9, 2024

Two komodo dragons walk to the right along a gravel path, with water and trees in the background. One komodo dragon has its head raised and mouth open.

Animals

Metal gives the teeth of Komodo dragons their super strength

By Erin Garcia de JesúsAugust 23, 2024

An illustration of element 120 shows 120 electrons arranged around a nucleus.

Chemistry

The periodic table might soon have a new element

By Emily ConoverAugust 19, 2024

Earth

a clear pool of water with crystals at the edges is steaming as the sun sets

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.

By Douglas FoxSeptember 12, 2024

a close-up of artificial turf on a soccer field, soccer players can be seen in the distance

Tech

New system uses evaporation to greatly cool artificial turf

By Laura AllenSeptember 11, 2024

A bright flash in front of a field of stars leaves a faint snakelike trail drifting in its wake; another shooting star is visible in the background

Space

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

By Lisa GrossmanSeptember 2, 2024

Humans

Animals

Parrots may offer clues to how our intelligence evolved

Studies of the brainy birds’ abilities to use tools, solve puzzles, speak words and more may teach us about how our species got our smarts.

By Erin Garcia de Jesús23 hours ago

a teen girl speaking with a doctor in a clinic

Health & Medicine

Use of injectable GLP-1 weight-loss drugs skyrockets among teens

By Katie Grace CarpenterSeptember 18, 2024

Rain Bosworth smiling and looking at a parent-child pair to her left. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and wearing blue button-up shirt. The parent is looking at an iPad, sitting in front of them on a round table. The iPad is displaying what appears to be a video with a person signing. The parent has black hair and wearing a navy polka dot shirt. The child is sitting on the parent's lap and staring at Bosworth.

Humans

Rain Bosworth studies how deaf kids experience the world

By Meghan RosenSeptember 13, 2024

Life

Animals

Parrots may offer clues to how our intelligence evolved

Studies of the brainy birds’ abilities to use tools, solve puzzles, speak words and more may teach us about how our species got our smarts.

By Erin Garcia de Jesús23 hours ago

Animals

Let’s learn about orangutans

By Maria TemmingSeptember 10, 2024

Planets

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

By Lisa GrossmanSeptember 9, 2024

Math

Math

Scientists Say: Fractal

There’s no end in sight for these infinitely complex geometric wonders.

By Katie Grace CarpenterAugust 12, 2024

Volodymyr Borysenko is leaning over a laptop showing his research at Regeneron ISEF. He has light brown hair and is wearing a white tunic with blue embroidery around his collar and down the middle of his shirt.

Computing

Teen’s battle simulator could help Ukraine’s troops fend off attacks

By McKenzie PrillamanJune 25, 2024

a series of dominos lined up on a desk is starting to tumble after the first has been knocked over

Math

Scientists Say: Correlation and Causation

By Katie Grace CarpenterMay 13, 2024

Physics

A photo of a hand with a paper cut on the index finger.

Physics

Science reveals the reasons behind painful paper cuts

Some types of paper are more likely to cause paper cuts. It’s the paper’s thickness and slicing angle that matter, physicists conclude.

By Emily ConoverSeptember 17, 2024

An artistic rendering shows a glowing orb of light with light beams streaming in

Space

Scientists Say: Kugelblitz

By Maria TemmingSeptember 16, 2024

assorted glass bottles of different sizes, shapes and colors on a shelf

Physics

Experiment: Making music with bottles

By Science BuddiesSeptember 10, 2024

Science & Society

Health & Medicine

Use of injectable GLP-1 weight-loss drugs skyrockets among teens

Their long-term safety is still an issue for kids. Meanwhile, a new vibrating robotic pill in early trials might offer an edible alternative to GLP-1s.

By Katie Grace CarpenterSeptember 18, 2024

Humans

Physics

Artificial Intelligence

The brain of a tiny worm inspired a new type of AI

By Kathryn HulickSeptember 16, 2024

Tech

New system uses evaporation to greatly cool artificial turf

By Laura AllenSeptember 11, 2024

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