Summer might slow down COVID-19 — but not by a lot
Summer might help a bit, but it won't save us.
COVID dogs? Dog-sniffing COVID-19 trial started in the UK
There's no guarantee of a positive result, but if it works, it could be a cheap and non-invasive way to...
Pink, my new obsession: pink flamingos are more aggressive, study finds
The pinker the naughtier for flamingos.
Major study shows yet another reason why it’s important to wear face masks
If you needed another reason to wear a mask -- here it is.
Face masks could prevent a devastating COVID-19 second wave
Lockdowns can help, but they won't save us on their own, a new model concludes. Even improvised masks are very...
Entire Roman Town Imaged Using Ground Penetrating Radar
Not a single inch of dirt was dug to reveal the town.
This simple graph shows how sewage water might predict COVID-19 outbreaks — but it also shows how statistics can trick you
The bad, the good, and the caveat.
Today, Earth is playing a game of chess against Space
Your move, space.
Face masks helped Japan avoid a coronavirus disaster
The Japanese medical system was on the brink of collapse, but face masks helped keep the outbreak under control, an...
These countries are most unhappy with how their governments handled the pandemic
The survey also shows which countries are most (and least) in favor of wearing face masks.
The risk of a Yellowstone super-eruption is actually decreasing, new study finds
Nothing would surprise us in 2020, but a Yellowstone eruption is likely not on the menu.
Solid soap vs liquid soap: which is more eco friendly?
Want to make a small, green, lifestyle choice? Use soap bars instead of liquid.
Archaeologists track down the earliest use of maize in the Mesoamerican area
When corn first entered people's lives, it was likely in the form of an alcoholic liquor.
Largest and oldest Maya monument forces archaeologists to rethink how the civilization evolved
There's more than one hot item in the state of Tabasco.
Why TRISO particles could open a new age for nuclear power
The robustness and potential of this type of nuclear fuel gives new hopes of clean and safe nuclear power.
Gold mining with mercury poses health threats for hundreds of miles downstream
Even small-scale gold mining with mercury can pose important threat to ecosystems and communities, two new studies conclude.
Yes, there is institutional racism in the US — and there’s a ton of science that proves it
Ask every black man and woman in the USA and they're likely to tell you the same thing.
Mobile data shows which European countries took lockdown seriously
Anonymized data can show us who stayed more at home -- and this can be useful to devise long-term strategies.
While the world is looking at AI, it’s biotech that could end up changing the world
From cheap genetical sequencing to quick medical tests and synthetic meat, a biotech revolution is just waiting to happen
How we get trapped in the same Youtube loops
Researchers try to untangle the twisted vines of Youtube suggestions.
Online Grocery Retailers Are Undermining Healthy Eating
Don't buy something just because it's discounted. Yes, even if it's *really* discounted.
Pollution Popsicles highlight our water pollution problem
These artists collect and freeze sewage water. It may not be delicious, but it serves an important cause.
A new study shows house cats can be killers if you let them out
Cute and adorable inside, monsters outside.
“Pneumonia” and other illnesses are masking the true toll of coronavirus in the United States
You thought Russia was the only place with mysterious cases of "pneumonia"?
From 3D electron microscopes to uncovering pain receptors: meet the laureates of the Kavli Prize
It's one of the highest distinctions you can get in science. Here's who received it this year and why.
Are swimming pools safe for COVID-19? What we know so far
Chlorinated water itself is probably not a risk -- but we shouldn't rush to open swimming pools.
Half of Twitter accounts discussing ‘reopening America’ are bots
Researchers have uncovered a sophisticated campaign orchestrated to sow discord.
European cities are taking advantage of the pandemic to reduce car traffic
There has never been a better opportunity to cut car traffic and pollution.
People are discovering historic sites during the lockdown
Armchair archaeologists are finding new (old) things using data that's freely accessible, and you could do it to.
Has Sweden’s coronavirus approach failed? So far, the numbers suggest so
Swedish officials stand by their approach, but so far, things don't look too good.
77 Nobel Laureates ask US administration to reconsider withdrawing coronavirus grant
A US research grant funding the study of bat coronaviruses in China has recently been terminated, without a clear explanation....
As the US opens up, infections are still on the rise in many states
Nearly every US state has taken some measures to open up, but most of them haven't staved off the infections.
Our Special Issue on Contact Tracing Apps — Free to Download
Many things about the current pandemic crisis are unprecedented. We've never seen a lockdown of this magnitude in human history,...
Supercomputer simulation shows how COVID-19 could spread in supermarket stores
It's still early days and there are many uncertainties, but it could help us learn how COVID-19 could spread in...
Copper can be an important ally against coronavirus — and most viruses, for that matter
Copper has long known to be effective at killing viruses. So why don't we use it more?
Snakes aren’t always cold and unfriendly — garter snakes can form surprising relationships
Snakes are often considered nonsocial creatures, but this isn't always the case.
It’s time to start considering wearing face masks — even if you don’t like it
Although the evidence is incomplete, it is substantial enough to warrant the widespread usage of face masks.
Are journalists biased to the left? Not really, a new study concludes
A long-held prejudice gets a reality-check.
The lesser-known coronavirus success stories
In addition to the South Korea and the Iceland, a number of countries have successfully handled the outbreak so far.
Would it be ethical (and even feasible) to issue COVID-19 immunity licenses?
Several countries have expressed intentions to issue "immunity passports". This raises unprecedented ethical concerns.
For the first time in over a century, Norway will explore a new Viking ship burial site
The enormous ship marks the burial site of a king or queen.
In Covid China, a smartphone app is your ticket to everywhere
As Wuhan reports its first coronavirus cases in over a month, life in many parts of China is dictated by...
Comparison between neighboring US counties shows stay-at-home orders reduce coronavirus infections
Two neighboring states show how much of a difference social distancing measures can make.
US plumbing codes are based on century-old data
This is not good for water quality, researchers warn.
Young kids might not be transmitting COVID-19 — though they can get it themselves
Evidence is increasingly suggesting that young children are not playing an important role in the spread of disease.
A single symptomatic singer infected 87% of the choir with COVID-19
It really is the worst case scenario for transmission.
COVID-19 might cause inflammatory disease in children
It's still a very low incidence overall, but medics warn that COVID-19 could lead to an increase in inflammation in...
South Korea detected a coronavirus cluster at a nightclub. Then, they tested everyone
South Korea showcases once again how to effectively deal with coronavirus issues -- but even so, not everything is solved.
US counties with meat processing plants tend to be coronavirus hotspots
Increasingly, evidence is linking COVID-19 hotspots to meat processing plants.
Government-enforced social distancing really works, new study shows
Strong social distancing measures in the US worked to reduce spread of COVID-19.