Science News
An endangered pygmy raccoon turned trash into toys—and taught her family how, too
The endangered animals displayed a first in raccoons and their kin
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Latest science news, discoveries and scientific developments.
Science News
One immune switch may help drive aging across the body
Aging may be partly fueled by immune cells losing their ability to clear away damaged, inflammation-promoting cells. Blocking a single receptor restored that cleanup process in mice, reducing inflammation and helping their organs, muscles, and memory remain remarkably youthful.
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China reaches solar energy milestone — what does this mean for the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter?
China is rapidly expanding its ability to harness renewable energy sources.
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The universe has plenty of hydrogen. So why is star formation collapsing?
Star formation across the universe has fallen dramatically over the past 4.5 billion years, but astronomers have uncovered a surprising twist: the supply of neutral hydrogen, a key ingredient for making stars, has barely declined. Using China’s FAST radio telescope and data from roughly 2.5 million galaxies observed by DESI, researchers found that star formation was about 2.5 times higher 4.5 billion years ago, while neutral hydrogen levels were only about 1.4 times higher.
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September brings a dazzling Venus and a glowing Harvest Moon
September’s sky features brilliant Venus, the Milky Way’s hazy center, and the seasonal turning point of the equinox. The month ends with a glowing Harvest Moon rising near Saturn and faint Neptune.
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New Mexico’s largest reservoir plunges to just 1.4% full
Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico’s largest reservoir, plunged to just 1.4 percent capacity in July 2026 after years of extreme drought and record early snowmelt. The dramatic decline exposed long-submerged debris and underscored the growing strain on Rio Grande water supplies used by farms in New Mexico and Texas.
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ADHD may have a surprising creative advantage
Some of the attention patterns that make ADHD challenging may also help spark creativity by allowing the brain to explore more ideas and unexpected connections. Researchers think creative activities could potentially channel this “defocused attention” while helping strengthen the brain systems involved in focus and self-control.
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Each extra hour of prolonged sitting linked to 9% higher cancer death risk
Sitting for long, uninterrupted stretches may carry greater health risks than sitting the same amount of time in shorter bouts. Researchers found that each extra hour of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a 9% higher risk of cancer death. Breaking up sitting with movement showed the opposite pattern, while replacing an hour of prolonged sitting with light activity was linked to a 12% lower risk.
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U.N. admits exceeding Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree-C warming target is ‘unavoidable’
The world is set to blow past the Paris Agreement’s longtime threshold “within the next few years,” according to a new report
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New Hubble images reveal a bizarre decagon over Saturn’s south pole
A hexagon darkens the clouds over Saturn’s north pole. Now, astronomers have found a similarly shaped atmospheric wave at the other pole.
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How the super El Niño could turbocharge warming in the Himalayas
After one of the worst natural disasters in the region’s history, attention is turning to the looming super El Niño
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Scientists discover a mysterious wave shaped like a decagon in Saturn’s atmosphere
The strange structure appears to have formed recently, but nobody can explain exactly why
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Top medical leaders urge Americans to get their flu and COVID shots in lieu of CDC vaccine campaign
The Trump administration has so far been silent on flu, COVID and RSV vaccine guidance for the coming season, even as these diseases kill thousands of people every year
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“Broken heart syndrome” can look just like a heart attack. This test can tell them apart
“Broken heart syndrome” can mimic a heart attack so closely that patients often need invasive testing to tell the difference. Researchers have now developed the BioTAK score, which combines biological sex with blood biomarkers to identify the condition before cardiac catheterization. In a validation study of nearly 1,800 patients, it correctly classified almost 90% of participants.
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GLP-1 weight-loss medication could slow aging and extend lifespan
Giving old mice semaglutide—commonly sold as Wegovy or Ozempic—extends their lifespan remarkably, a new study finds
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The risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy is rising—and the damage can be life-changing
A recent CDC analysis says that, between 2016 and 2024, the rate of high blood pressure among pregnant women rose by 73 percent
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Interstellar solar sails hit a strange problem at 75% of light speed
Solar sails pushed by powerful lasers could reach incredible speeds, but relativity may eventually make the light itself work against them. At around 75% of the speed of light, scattered photons can begin creating drag, adding a surprising obstacle to interstellar travel.
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Money problems may age your brain faster
Persistent financial hardship in early and middle adulthood was linked to poorer thinking skills by the 50s and more signs of brain aging later in life. Researchers say years of chronic stress and financial worry may gradually take a toll on the brain.
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A massive study unveils the genetic underpinnings of fibromyalgia
The biggest fibromyalgia genetics study yet zeroed in on 26 genetic risk factors for the pain disorder, including one in the Huntington's disease gene.
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Why this Canadian island appeared to disappear
A floating island in a Canadian reservoir moved more than 30 kilometers across the water—here’s why