Science News

The year's top paleontological wonders ranged from a 540-million-year-old penis worm to a decades-old rodent impression.

The James Webb Space Telescope detected an atmosphere on a lava-covered exoplanet, evidence that small planets close to stars can have atmospheres.

James Riordan’s new book will help readers wrap their heads around this mysterious, fundamental force of nature.

Are we reading our dog’s moods right? Does TV really comfort them when we’re away? These pet stories were catnip to us this year.

Advances delivered what may feel like medical miracles, including the first bladder transplant, a lifesaving personalized gene therapy and more.

This year, researchers took a bite out of culinary innovation. Check out some of our favorite food-related stories from 2025.

There was more good health news about the COVID-19 vaccine for infants, kids and adults in December. There’s still time to get the shot this winter.

Space is always inspiring and 2025 was no exception, with finding Betelgeuse’s buddy, debuting a prolific survey telescope and more.

The bacteria behind the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea is known for developing antibiotic resistance. Now there are two new treatment options.

From clever cockatoos to vomiting spiders, these cool critters captivated us this year.

Data from Axial, the most-monitored underwater volcano, are helping geophysicists hone eruption predictions. For Axial, 2026 is their next bet.

By moving around, some cancer cells force attacking immune cells to just nibble at the edges rather than engulf them completely.

Editor in Chief Nancy Shute talks about life’s complexities, from its evolution on Earth as a single cell to complex human behavior.

Researchers are keeping an eye on the building-sized asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 4 percent chance of hitting the moon seven years from now.

An NIH scientist’s maverick approach reveals legal, ethical, moral, scientific and social challenges to developing potentially life-saving vaccines.

Solve the crossword from our January 2026 issue, in which we take a crack at geological principles

Gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome are often worse in women. A mouse study reveals a pain pathway involving estrogen, gut cells and bacteria.

A massive collision between two asteroid-sized bodies around a nearby star offers a rare look at the violent process of planetary construction.

Psychiatrist Robert Custer spent his life convincing doctors that compulsive gambling was not an impulse control problem. Today, his research is foundational for diagnosis and treatment.

The Terra Hunting Experiment will track the wobbles of dozens of stars nightly for years in the most focused hunt yet for an Earth twin.