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160-million-year-old ‘Monkeydactyl’ was the first animal to develop opposable thumbs
The 'Monkeydactyl' was a flying reptile that evolved highly specialized adaptations in the Mesozoic Era.
Our ancestors first developed humanlike brains 1.7 million years ago
A recent study analyzed the skulls of early Homo species to learn more about the evolution of primate brains.
A new warning sign to predict volcanic eruptions?
Satellite imagery can help better predict volcanic eruptions by monitoring changes in surface temperature near volcanoes.
The evolution of modern rainforests began with the dinosaur-killing asteroid
The lush biodiversity of South America's rainforests is rooted in one of the most cataclysmic events that ever struck Earth.
Despite social pressure, boys and girls still prefer gender-typical toys
Fifty years of research on children's toy preferences shows that kids generally prefer toys oriented toward their own gender.
Lightning strikes will double in Arctic as climate warms
The uptick in Arctic lightning could cause more wildfires, potentially triggering a feedback loop that releases massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
A genetic link between your face and brain shape
New research reveals that the face can affect the shape of the brain through a complex "cross-talk" between the two structures.
This zero-energy 'daylight harvesting' device can send sunlight underground
Researchers in Singapore invented a novel device that may help the island nation illuminate its growing underground infrastructure.
Mice could someday become venomous, suggests study on the evolution of oral venom systems
Snakes and mammals share common genetic building blocks necessary for producing venom.
Even in mathematics, who you know may matter more than your talent
The Field Medal was created to elevate promising mathematicians from underrepresented demographics. But has it followed through on that goal?
Go ahead and consult ‘Dr. Google’ about your medical symptoms
The conventional wisdom may be wrong. Consulting Google for information about medical symptoms might not be as counterproductive as commonly thought, new research suggests.
Nearly 3,000 shipping containers have fallen into the ocean since November
What's to blame for the recent uptick in containership accidents?
Less-advanced alien civilizations may be nearby — but we're not looking for them
Humans are more likely to have "first contact" with an advanced alien civilization, according to a recent NASA-funded paper.
Study: Does the label "straight" worsen perceptions of gay people?
A new study explores how using positive labels to describe a majority group may negative impact perceptions of minority groups.
NASA's Perseverance records first-ever sounds of rover driving on Mars
Sound waves behave quite differently on Mars than on Earth.
Unknown bacteria found living on the International Space Station
The discovery could help astronauts find better ways to grow food in space.
MIT study shows ultrasound vibrations may kill coronavirus
Ultrasound might be able to damage the novel coronavirus in the same way an opera singer's voice can shatter a wine glass.
Dyson spheres: The key to resurrection and immortality?
Creating an afterlife—or a simulation of one—would take vast amounts of energy. Some scientists think the best way to capture that energy is by building megastructures around stars.
An 'indiscriminate' massacre: Study examines why 41 people were killed 6,200 years ago
"Large-scale indiscriminate killing is a horror that is not just a feature of the modern and historic periods, but was also a significant process in pre-state societies," the researchers wrote.
Scientists discover slug that can decapitate itself, grow new body
The bizarre discovery could pave the way for advances in regenerative medicine for humans.
'Deep Nostalgia' AI brings old photos to life through animation
Using machine-learning technology, the genealogy company My Heritage enables users to animate static images of their relatives.
‘A Glitch in the Matrix’ documentary explores the dark side of simulation theory
What happens when simulation theory becomes more than a fascinating thought experiment?
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine authorized: Here's what makes it unique
Millions of doses of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine could be distributed as early as this week.
Scientists grow extremophile microbes on rocks from Mars
The results could help NASA's Perseverance rover find evidence of ancient life on Mars.
How tiny bioelectronic implants may someday replace pharmaceutical drugs
Scientists are using bioelectronic medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, an approach that capitalizes on the ancient "hardwiring" of the nervous system.
New study identifies 126 species that could host coronavirus
The study suggests scientists are underestimating the number of animal species that could generate the next novel coronavirus.
Texas snowstorms are due to rapid heating of the Arctic, say scientists
A warming Arctic Circle could be responsible for bursts of cold weather in the south.
UAE Hope Probe has transmitted its first image of Mars
The UAE is the first Arab nation to send a spacecraft to the Red Planet.
One billion galaxies: Astronomers unveil largest sky map ever made
Scientists with the the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Surveys spent six years creating a detailed map of more than 1 billion galaxies.
Video: Here's what it's like to orbit the moon in real time
Artist Seán Doran recently created more than eight hours of high-definition video using images captured by Japan's SELENE lunar orbiter.
Noise pollution is threatening life in the 'Anthropocene ocean'
A new paper explores how noise from human activities pollutes the oceans, and what we can do to fix it.
What early US presidents looked like, according to AI-generated images
"Deepfakes" and "cheap fakes" are becoming strikingly convincing — even ones generated on freely available apps.
How your social media data can become a ‘mental health X-ray’
In the future, you might voluntarily share your social media data with your psychiatrist to inform a more accurate diagnosis.
NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars in 18 days
The space agency describes the process of landing rovers on Mars as "seven minutes of terror."
Can scientists find the ‘holy grail’ of Alzheimer’s research?
Clinical trials at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research focus on stabilizing cognitive loss and alleviating the psychotic symptoms that change our loved ones.
Monkeys are capable of inferential reasoning, study shows
A recent study showed that monkeys can make logical choices when given an A or B scenario.
Wireless brain-to-brain communication steps closer to human trials
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently issued $8 million in follow-up funding to a team of neuroengineers developing brain-to-brain and brain-to-machine technology.
Money impacts happiness more than previously thought, study finds
A new study casts doubt on previous research showing that emotional well-being plateaus at an income of $75,000 per year.
Catnip is for both pleasure and protection, according to a new study
The main bioactive compound in catnip seems to protect cats from mosquitoes. It might protect humans, too.
NASA is destroying this iconic launcher platform (and no one wants the parts)
NASA is scrapping its Apollo-era launcher platform to make room for new infrastructure that will support upcoming Artemis missions.
Columbia study finds new way to extract energy from black holes
A new study explains how a chaotic region just outside a black hole's event horizon might provide a virtually endless supply of energy.
Biden nominates Dr. Eric Lander as cabinet-level science adviser, in U.S. first
Dr. Eric Lander is a pioneer in genomics. What role will he play in the new administration?
Capsaicin, the chemical in spicy peppers, used to boost solar cell performance
Can biomaterials help finally thrust perovskite solar cells to mainstream adoption?
‘Designer baby’ book trilogy explores the moral dilemmas humans may soon create
How would the ability to genetically customize children change society? Sci-fi author Eugene Clark explores the future on our horizon in Volume I of the "Genetic Pressure" series.
How New York's largest hospital system is predicting COVID-19 spikes
Northwell Health is using insights from website traffic to forecast COVID-19 hospitalizations two weeks in the future.
NASA images of Mars reveal largest canyon in the solar system
Valles Marineris on Mars is 10 times longer and three times deeper than Earth's Grand Canyon.
Telehealth will save lives—for as long as it has funding
The federal government and private insurers greatly increased Americans' telehealth access during the pandemic. Will these changes be permanent?
In 1988, Bernie Sanders outlined the key problem with news media today
"The function of private media is to make money for the people who own the media. It is a business," Sanders said.
One ethics lesson can curb your meat consumption, study finds
For several weeks after considering the ethics of eating meat, participants in an experiment changed their eating habits.
Ultraviolet LED lights kill coronavirus cheaply and effectively, scientists report
Ultraviolet LED lights could soon be used to help disinfect air and surfaces in buildings, planes, subways and other spaces.
Manmade objects now weigh more than all living things on Earth
Humans churn out about 30 gigatons (30,000,000,000 tons) of material every year.
Chemists modify hallucinogen to treat depression and addiction
A new study explores the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic drug ibogaine, which has been used in Africa for centuries.
Can hospitals prevent gun violence? This ‘universal screening’ study will find out.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that is notoriously difficult to study because of politics. Finally, a new research initiative has the green light to collect life-saving data.
Amazon devices have colonized homes. 'Smart neighborhoods' may be next
Here's why you may want to opt-out of Amazon's new shared network.
A meat-free world by 2035? 'Totally doable,' says Impossible Foods CEO
"Our mission is to completely replace the use of animals as a food technology by 2035," said Patrick O. Brown at the 2020 Web Summit.
'The time is now' for cryptocurrencies, PayPal CEO says
Is Bitcoin akin to 'digital gold'?
What will 'psychedelic therapy' look like when it's legalized?
Psychedelic therapy will become legal in Oregon in 2023. That's thanks largely to a renaissance of psychedelic research that's changing attitudes on the substances' medical potential.
UK approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, will begin shots in days
Britons could start receiving the vaccine within days.
The Arecibo telescope has collapsed: A look at its 57-year history
Puerto Rico's iconic telescope facilitated important scientific discoveries while inspiring young scientists and the public imagination.
DeepMind AI solves 50-year-old biology problem in breakthrough advance
The Google-owned company developed a system that can reliably predict the 3D shapes of proteins.
Vegans are more likely to suffer broken bones, study finds
Vegans and vegetarians often have nutrient deficiencies and lower BMI, which can increase the risk of fractures.
Researchers 3D bioprint realistic human heart model for the first time
A new method is able to create realistic models of the human heart, which could vastly improve how surgeons train for complex procedures.
Adult language-learning changes how the brain’s hemispheres function
It's never too late to learn a new language. Just don't count on speaking French like a Parisian.
'Muscular bonding': The strange psychological effects of moving together
Synchronous movement seems to help us form cohesive groups by shifting our thinking from "me" to "we."
Virgin Hyperloop completes world's first human test
How many hurdles stand in the way of hyperloops becoming a commercial reality?
Oregon decriminalizes drugs: Here are 3 metrics other states will track
It's "the biggest blow to the war on drugs to date," said Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance.
Denmark to kill 17 million mink to prevent spread of mutated coronavirus
It's a precautionary measure stemming from fears that mutated coronavirus strains may reduce the efficacy of future vaccines.
The previous experience of every US president since Theodore Roosevelt
What qualifies someone for the top position in American government?
Election results: How Twitter, Facebook plan to block misinformation
Both social media companies plan to implement special protocols on Tuesday as election results begin rolling in.
COVID-19 may cause 'significant' cognitive deficits, study says
A growing body of research suggests COVID-19 can cause neurological damage in some patients.
NASA finds water on sunlit moon surface for first time
Water may be far more abundant on the lunar surface than previously thought.
'Magic square' math puzzle has gone unsolved since 1996
Think you can solve it? One mathematician has already offered about $1,000 and a bottle of champagne to whoever cracks it first.
Can't stop unwanted thoughts? Poor sleep may be to blame, study says
The study sheds new light on the relationship between sleep and mental health.
Viewing nature in VR or on television boosts wellbeing, study finds
"Interacting" with nature through virtual reality applications had especially strong benefits, according to the study.
Vitamin D may lower risk of contracting COVID-19, says new research
A series of recent studies found that people with healthy levels of vitamin D were less likely to contract COVID-19 and suffer severe complications from it.
Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to 3 scientists for black hole discoveries
Roger Penrose used mathematics to show black holes actually exist. Andrea Ghez and Reinhard Genzel helped uncover what lies at the center of our galaxy.
This interactive face recognition tool measures your attractiveness, BMI and age
A new interactive documentary "How Normal Am I?" helps reveal the shortcomings of facial recognition technology.
Study: 33% of people fantasize about being in a sexually open relationship
Most said they want to act on their desire someday. But do open relationships actually work?
‘Global democratic recession’ has been eroding freedoms since 2006, says study
The 20th century was marked by waves of pro-democracy revolutions. Now, the future of democracy looks uncertain.
Study reveals alarming link between binge-drinking and anxiety
New research conducted on mice suggests repeated heavy drinking causes synaptic dysfunctions that lead to anxiety.
Elon Musk promises $25,000 electric car at Tesla's 'Battery Day'
The electric car manufacturer says updates to its battery design and manufacturing process will help lower production costs.
Is resurrection possible? Researchers catalogue the ways science may achieve it.
From cryonics to time travel, here are some of the (highly speculative) methods that might someday be used to bring people back to life.
Study: Do people trust governments less when ‘fake news’ proves real?
People remember when governments lie to them and it lowers their satisfaction in government officials.
Airspeeder's ‘flying car’ racers to be shielded by virtual force-fields
Welcome to the world's newest motorsport: manned multicopter races that exceed speeds of 100 mph.
'Viking' was likely a job title among diverse people, says DNA study
"The results change the perception of who a Viking actually was," said project leader Professor Eske Willerslev.
Almost 300,000 guns sold without background checks as pandemic overwhelmed system
The 'Charleston Loophole' has likely allowed thousands of guns to end up in the hands of people who would have failed a federal background check.
Jon Stewart: Congress is abandoning veterans exposed to toxic 'burn pits'
Stewart is supporting a new bill that aims to extend health care and disability benefits to veterans who served alongside burn pits.
Venus' clouds may harbor 'aerial' aliens, MIT scientists say
Scientists have detected within the Venusian atmosphere a chemical known to be a byproduct of life.
Study: 'Mighty mice' stayed strong in space with gene treatment
Targeting a signaling pathway in mice helped them retain muscle and bone mass aboard the International Space Station, according to a new study.
NASA-funded scientist says 'MEGA drive' could enable interstellar travel
The drive would provide enough thrust for a spacecraft to travel near the speed of light using only electricity, says physicist Jim Woodward.
Scientists discover first 'intermediate-mass' black hole in massive merger
It's the largest black hole merger ever observed by scientists.
The 'Motte & Bailey' meme reveals what's wrong with political arguments in 2020
This medieval-themed meme highlights a shady yet all too common rhetorical move people make in arguments.
Andrew Yang backs California’s data privacy campaign
"Our data should be ours no matter what platforms and apps we use," Yang said.
Study: Viewing religion, science as incompatible is uniquely American
In some countries, religiosity and pro-science attitudes are actually positively correlated, according to the results of a recent study.
New ‘bullet plane’ aims to make private flights affordable
Otto Aviation says the hourly cost of flying the new Celera 500L is about six times cheaper than conventional aircraft.
Elon Musk's Neuralink successfully implanted chips in pig brains
"It's kind of like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires," Musk said.
Remembering Sir Ken Robinson, the educationalist who changed thinking on schools
Sir Ken Robinson died on August 21 of cancer at the age of 70.
NASA scientists propose sending a submarine to explore Titan's seas
The mission could launch as soon as the 2030s, the researchers said.
3,000-pound Triceratops skull unearthed in South Dakota
"You dream about these kinds of moments when you're a kid," said lead paleontologist David Schmidt.
Stephen Johnson is a St. Louis-based writer whose work has been published by outlets including PBS Digital Studios, HuffPost, MSN, U.S. News & World Report, Eleven Magazine and The Missourian.
