Science News

Maggie Aderin explores images of the distant universe captured by JWST

Space scientist Maggie Aderin tells Karmela Padavic-Callaghan about these stunning photographs from the James Webb Space…

Carlo Rovelli takes on physics and philosophy in a compelling new book

In his new book On the Equality of All Things, physicist Carlo Rovelli explains there is no space or time in his view of…

Why can’t we cool water as quickly as we can heat it?

Our readers send in their thoughts – and one reveals they hold a Guinness World Record

Do olfactory illusions exist, similar to optical and audio illusions?

Readers sense this type of illusion does exist – and send in their personal experiences

Why don’t dogs look up when a low-flying plane passes overhead? part 4

Yet more readers share their insights from their own four-legged friends – and one proposes a more general theory

This week’s new questions

If every ship on the planet were hauled out of the water, how much would global sea levels change, and how quickly?

What is the most-used Beatles song in academic paper titles?

Feedback enjoys a new piece of research delving into papers whose titles mention Beatles songs – but wonders if there is…

How older siblings may shape sexual orientation via mother’s immune system

It has long been observed that men with older brothers are more likely to be gay, but an association has also been found…

Autism is genetic – and why this information matters now

The National Autistic Society has definitively stated that autism is genetic, caused by thousands of genes inherited…

What happens when neutrinos swap identities inside a supernova?

Identity-fluid particles may carry some energy out, leading to direct collapse.

Human organoids restore cognition in mice with half a brain

Mice with half a brain experienced significant improvements to their cognition and movement when they received brain…

Xand van Tulleken on the 3 wellness trends to be most wary of

The wellness boom has brought a wide array of consumer products that promise to boost your health and happiness.

Humpback whale mother with stillborn calf shows ‘grief-like’ behaviour

For the first time, researchers have seen a humpback mother interacting with her stillborn calf, reporting that she…

Clean tech startup Fluxnium found a way to tap 50,000 years’ worth of nuclear fuel

Fluxnium's fibers can extract uranium directly from seawater, which has enough of the nuclear fuel to power thousands…

Nuclear fusion experiment produces the brightest X-rays on Earth yet

A new twist on nuclear fusion ignition emitted X-rays that are as bright as some stars, which could enable other extreme…

Why The Ambidextrous Universe is a masterpiece of science writing

Don’t read The Ambidextrous Universe unless you are serious about maths and physics, because Martin Gardner is very…

In 1984, NASA Sent 3,301 Bees to Space and They Built Comb in Seven Days

3,301 honeybees rode aboard NASA’s STS-41C mission, launched April 6, 1984, to see whether a colony could build…

How chimps teach their kids tool tricks

Adults first demonstrate tool use, then hand over the implements to their infants, who copy the behavior.

Wild chimpanzees teach youngsters by handing them tools

Adult chimpanzees have been observed passing tools to their younger relatives, helping them learn the skills needed for…

Saving Jet Fuel

Researchers have developed an open-source solution using Scikit-decide framework combined with fuel consumption models…

The Parthenon’s architectural illusions are a myth

Optical illusions thought to have influenced the design of the Parthenon in ancient Greece are not backed up by evidence…

The Roman telescope has enough gas for 22 years, double NASA's expectations

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is the first NASA observatory designed for in-space refueling.

Jean-Pierre Serre is 100 years old today

Jean-Pierre Serre, a French mathematician born on September 15, 1926, is celebrating his 100th birthday today.

The Siberian Ice Maiden and the Scythian World

This piece is a fictionalized narrative about Asana, a young Scythian priestess and healer in the Altai Mountains who,…

18-year-old dies of measles in PA from severe neurological complication

Teen developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a known measles complication.

SpaceX declares Starship ready for orbit, sets launch date next week

Reaching orbit would mark a significant milestone.

US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035

The AI frenzy could push U.S. data centers to become one of the largest consumers of natural gas in the world.

SpaceX will try to put Starship in orbit for the first time on September 22

Elon Musk's company will also attempt to deploy the first V3 Starlink satellites into its orbital internet constellation.

Splash-free urinals: Design through physics and differential equations