Fossils

Leaf-toed geckos were thought to be locally extinct on Rabida Island, but the diminutive reptiles have re-emerged after a campaign to eliminate invasive rats

A 500-million-year-old sea creature called Mollisonia shared a similar brain structure to modern spiders, suggesting that arachnids first evolved in the sea

Banning screens is often not an option. So Science News spoke with experts studying screen use and addiction in teens to help families navigate this complex issue.

Dropping vaccination rates and changes in U.S. vaccine policy have public health experts concerned that annual measles outbreaks could become more frequent.

Shri rapax, known from a fossil found in Mongolia, had strong hands and teeth which may have helped it tackle much larger dinosaurs

Octopuses can be tricked into thinking that a fake arm is part of their body, suggesting they have a sense of body ownership similar to our own

Revealed by advanced imaging, the long-sought "Betelbuddy" is much smaller and fainter than Betelgeuse and orbits within the supergiant’s atmosphere.

The fungus Entomophthora muscae turns flies into zombies and kills them at sunset. An internal kill clock may explain the mysterious timing.

Exposure to air pollution may trigger DNA mutations that cause lung cancer in nonsmokers.

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.