Science
Better together? Coral fusion could throw bleached reefs a lifeline
When corals are stressed by pollution, high water temperatures or other environmental changes, they can lose the microscopic algae living inside them and on which they depend for …
On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn
On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn
Lion tracks from the ice age: How two ways of seeing brought ancient animals to life
The coastline near the southern tip of Africa looked vastly different between about 400,000 years ago and 70,000 years ago, compared with today. At times it lay as much as 100km (…
New DNA sequencing methods detect rare mutations acquired as bodies grow and age
Somatic mutations, the DNA changes that occur as our bodies grow and age, not only hold an important key to cancer but are emerging as the seeds of a wide range of common, noncanc…
Norman McCubbin obituary
My brother Norman McCubbin, who has died aged 77, was a scientist who worked at the forefront of experimental particle physics.A leading light in experiments that took place on th…
El Niño a 'terrifying' threat to coral reefs: UN biodiversity expert
A super El Niño fueling record ocean temperatures poses a "terrifying" threat to the world's fragile coral reefs, the chair of the U.N.'s expert nature panel told AFP.
Plants use a molecular measuring tape to tell fungal friend from foe
Chitin, a chain of repeating sugar molecules, is the main building block of fungal cell walls. When fungi grow or are broken down, fragments of chitin chains of different lengths …
In plants, sense of time is connected with sense of danger
Salty soil is a growing threat to crops worldwide. Hotter, drier weather has increased evaporation rates, drawing moisture from the soil and leaving behind concentrated mineral sa…
Wild birds rewrite rules of flight efficiency: Study reveals power of 'free fuel' from the sky
An international study has overturned a longstanding textbook view of how much energy animals use to travel, revealing that flying can sometimes be cheaper than swimming.
Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today
SpaceX will launch a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force from California this evening (Oct. 15), and you can watch the action live.
NASA Satellites Observe Historic 2026 El Niño
A phenomenon rarer than a solar eclipse and more powerful than any single storm system is unfolding this fall, and NASA is tracking it closely. El Niño is a natural climate patter…
We're surprisingly close to conserving 30% of the world's land
In an effort to conserve the world's plants and animals, governments have pledged to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030. Official figures suggest that attempts to reach this targe…
Vaonis unveils Atlas, the world's 1st modular smart telescope system
Pre-orders are now open for the Atlas, the new modular smart telescope from Vaonis which allows observation with two optical tubes.
Power Up: Roll Out Solar Arrays Boost Space Station Power Supply
From the International Space Station’s unique position 250 miles above Earth, the Sun is a vital source of energy. Solar power supports the station’s life support systems, daily a…
India's cobras share genetic ties across the mainland, while Sri Lankan cobras form a distinct genetic lineage
The spectacled cobra (Naja naja) is one of India's "big four" snakes responsible for most serious snakebite cases. It is currently considered one species, which lives across much …
Laser pulses bring order to a quantum material's tiny electrical regions
Physicists at Auburn University have used flashes of laser light to bring order to tiny electrically charged "islands" inside a crystal. The discovery helps answer a decades-old q…
NASA to Conduct Low-Altitude Flights Over Texas Farmland
A NASA Dynamic Aviation A200 aircraft will conduct low-flying research flights over farmland near Transit, Texas, from Thursday, Oct. 22, through Monday, Nov. 9. These flights wil…
Chandra breaks down 'Treble Clef's' galaxy cluster collision
Astronomers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to break down the cause of a remarkable formation of radio waves they have nicknamed the "Treble Clef" because its distinct …
Time’s up for the leap second as scientists swap it for the leap hour
Delegates from 69 countries approve clock changeover after decades of debate – but switch may not take effect for thousands of yearsAfter decades of discussion, quibbling and worr…
NASA Welcomes All Ages, Experience Levels for Space Apps Challenge
Registration is open for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge, a two-day global event on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, where teams work to create solutions inspired by NASA…
NASA's SkyFall helicopters will 'show us parts of Mars we've never seen before', scientists say
"Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground."
NASA Awards Enable Research, Technology to Build Future Workforce
NASA has selected 12 U.S. institutions to receive $12 million to accelerate academic research and technology development in support of the agency’s priorities for exploring the Mo…
Why are pets scared of fireworks?
Fireworks are an integral part of many celebrations and cultural events. With their pretty colors, spectacular sights and big bangs, fireworks are a popular attraction for many pe…
Quantum calculations reveal how spin defects lose energy
When light hits a tiny defect embedded in a solid material like diamond or silicon carbide, it can kick the defect's electrons into an excited state. These spin defects have the p…