Fossils

Editor in Chief Nancy Shute reflects on the renewed specter of nuclear conflict to record-breaking heat driven by human-caused climate change.

A quantum query A century ago, physicists laid the foundation of quantum mechanics. Today, with greater control of quantum systems, scientists are making major leaps in quantum computing, quantum gravity and more, senior physics writer Emily Conover reported in “The next quantum frontier.” Some physicists are exploring the possibilities of quantum biology, the idea that […]

Experts worry the warning on vaginal estrogen menopause treatments is doing more harm than good and is not supported by science.

Over multiple generations, small nematode worms began preferring microplastic-contaminated food over cleaner options, which could have consequences for ecosystem health

Some people’s biology may set them up to birth babies of a certain sex, explaining why a family with multiple children may have all girls or all boys.

In Rehab, journalist Shoshana Walter investigates the systemic pitfalls of drug treatment programs, which prevent people’s recovery from addiction.

Solve the math puzzle from our August 2025 issue, which takes you back to the time before cell phones.

An oceanographer explains how climate change, warming oceans and a souped-up atmosphere are creating conditions for deadly floods.

When navigating home, Magellanic penguins alternate between heading straight back in calm waters and swimming with the flow in strong ocean currents.

Anxious dogs might react nervously to some television sounds, a survey of dog owners reports, while hyper ones might try to play chase.

Earth has survived huge temperature swings over eons of climate change. Humans might not be so lucky.

The Wild Ones follows three experts out to capture video of species including the Gobi bear and the Javan rhinoceros. It is a heartwarming call to action

Snow leopard cubs have been photographed in Mongolia - the first time researchers have visited one of the animals' dens since 2019

The cells helps the snakes absorb the bones of their prey — and might show up in other animals that chomp their meals whole.

Serrations at the edges of a fossilized flipper of the ancient marine reptile Temnodontosaurussuggests it may have been able to swim silently.

A young sunlike star called HOPS 315 seems to host a swirling disk of gas giving rise to minerals that kick-start the planet formation process.

Defense lawyers have called shaken baby syndrome, or abusive head trauma, junk science. But doctors say shaking a baby is dangerous.

In human beings, egg cells need to survive for about five decades, much longer than most other cell types – and they may achieve this unusually long lifespan by slowing down their natural cell processes

The image offers the first evidence for a previously unconfirmed origin story of type 1a supernovas.

Blood tests could pave the way for distinguishing between Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and some dementias, aiding early treatment for brain diseases.