New, powerful laser system proposed for the International Space Station’s defense
The station is in serious peril from all the junk we've left in orbit.
Puppies reach peak-cuteness around 8 to 10 weeks specifically to make us love them
If this is emotional blackmail. I'm not even mad.
Overeager immune system cells may be to blame for multiple sclerosis
Fortunately, they're hot on the heels of the mechanisms that allow them to affect brain cells.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) uses our body’s fats to ward off treatment
Sneaky little bacteria!
Australia’s ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ retires after saving 2.4 million babies — urges people to “break his record”
A rare antibody his body produces made his blood priceless to doctors.
Early baleen whales were fearsome predators with wicked teeth, but lost them entirely
Baleen, one surprising fossil suggests, evolved from gums rather than teeth.
A new study reveals why ice gets so slippery — and it wasn’t what we expected
The next time you slip on a lick of ice, at least you'll know the physics behind it!
Political preference doesn’t dictate your views on climate — except if you’re American
In America, every political group comes with its own views on climate change.
The Antonine Wall was adorned with brightly-colored, grisly propaganda to keep Scottish tribes at bay
The best fight is one you can paint your way out of.
Prolonged exposure to Los Angeles Bay air induces dangerous mutations in the brains of rats
Inflammation and cancer-related gene expression was overcharged by exposure to particulate matter in city air.
These NASA researchers think Pluto is planet, but our definitions are ‘bullshit’ — so they want to change them
I've never given up on you, Pluto.
Cloud-free exoplanet provides best evidence of sodium in planets outside our solar system so far
A cloudless exoplanet has become a benchmark for astronomers to gauge sodium content in alien worlds.
Bones have a fractal-like structure making them super strong and flexible
Bones are more complex than they seem!
New species of sea slug steals algae chlorophyll to live a solar-powered lifestyle
Lifestyle so green it shows through its skin.
Eighteen U.S states are taking the EPA to court over weakening emission regulations
"We are not looking to pick a fight with the Trump administration, but we are ready for one," said California...
Hawaii moves to ban common sunscreen mixes in a bid to safeguard its corals
Worry not -- alternatives are readily available, so don't cancel your vay-cay just yet.
World’s largest dead zone identified in the Gulf of Oman — it’s nearly the size of Florida
"Piracy and geopolitical tensions" kept it hidden from the scientific community until now.
Boaty McBoatface to lead 5-year expedition to one of the fastest-melting glaciers
It's one of the last barriers holding back a lot of water from hitting the ocean.
Egotists’ brains just don’t care about the future, affecting their choices in life
"Whether the consequences of our choices for ourselves and others are visible immediately or will only materialize in the future,...
Despite their violent impacts, asteroids could still deposit water on Earth
Ever wondered where the water you drink truly comes from?
Arctic sea ice chock-full of microplastics, with over 12,000 particles per litre of ice
It should basically be called Arctic sea plastic by now.
Wood-carved idol retrieved from Russian bog is, incredibly, older than the Pyramids
Not something you get to see every day.
Europe will see a doubling of drought areas if climate change isn’t addressed
The Mediterranean, one of Europe's most beautiful areas, will bear the brunt of the damage.
Young vet wounded by I.E.D. receives a transplanted penis
It was the most complex penis transplant ever performed.
Physical, encryption-like method could help the world finally get rid of nukes
"You can hack electronics, but you can't hack physics," says lead author Areg Danagoulian.
Whale skulls act like resonance chambers to help them hear underwater
First whole-body CT scan of a minke whale yields insights on whale communication
Human-like walking evolved before the genus Homo, more than 3.6 million years ago
Well if it sounds like a human and walks like a human...
Proper hydration helps seniors get the full benefit of exercise and keeps their minds limber
Everybody should try to stay well hydrated -- seniors more so than others.
When mitochondria break down so do our minds, new research shows
When power runs low, neurons start going haywire.
The US lost roughly 1 in every 100 urban trees between 2009 and 2014
Which is a pity, because they save us a lot of money.
Humans and chimp brains may have a turbo-charged fight-or-flight response
Such adaptations could form the evolutionary roots of human warfare.
What Are Five Stages of Mitosis?
Divide and conquer!
Roughly 95% of people live in areas with ‘unsafe’ levels of air pollution
Don't breathe too hard.
Researchers ‘accidentally improve’ a plastic-munching enzyme
Failing upwards!
Malaria makes its hosts smell better to draw more mosquitoes, research finds
Sneaky, sneaky plasmodium.
Wild yeast likely evolved in China, reveals genetic sequencing of over 1,000 strains
Their results point to East Asia (China) as the yeast's area of origin.
Sweden opens world’s first electrified road, to charge e-vehicles on the run
It's a socket! It's a road! It's... both?
Dormant, berserk antibodies could hold the key for HIV vaccine
Their nature makes them ideal against pathogens that hide from immune cells, such as HIV.
Japan stumbles upon massive, “semi-infinite” underwater treasure trove of rare earth elements
Cheaper smartphones ahoy!
Emotions shape how you see the world — quite literally
Our perception of the world isn't a crystal-clear reflection of reality.
Earth’s oceans generate a second, tiny, previously-unknown magnetic field, ESA satellites find
Powered by the Moon's pull, Earth's oceans generate a magnetic field all of their own.
The number of ocean heatwaves has risen more than 50% since 1925, threatening to collapse marine ecosystems
These are not the waves we're looking for.
Flint’s water is deemed safe, Michigan Governor determined to end free bottled water service
Science says the water is safe to drink. The locals aren't convinced.