All Stories

  1. Seeing the world in new ways

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute examines the exciting potential of the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory and muses on the mesmerizing world of fractals.

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  2. Planetary Science

    NASA’s Webb telescope spotted a new moon orbiting Uranus

    Like Uranus's other 28 moons, the newfound object spotted by JWST will be named after a William Shakespeare or Alexander Pope character.

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  3. Artificial Intelligence

    Can fake faces make AI training more ethical?

    Demographic bias gaps are closing in face recognition, but how training images are sourced is becoming the field’s biggest privacy fight.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Shifting vaccine guidelines inject uncertainty into getting fall COVID shots

    Respiratory viruses often surge in the fall. We asked an infectious diseases expert how best to protect ourselves given a shifting vaccine landscape.

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  5. Animals

    The phoenix isn’t the only critter to survive the flames

    There are no real phoenixes hiding anywhere. But science has revealed that some living things can take quite a bit of heat.

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  6. Animals

    Frilly bug feet inspire a water-striding robot

    Ripple bugs’ nimble movements on the surface of water inspired a robot with automatically unfurling fans on its feet.

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  7. Animals

    Around the world, birds sing longer in light-polluted areas

    In light-polluted landscapes, birds' singing time is an average of 50 minutes longer per day. It's still unclear if this hurts bird health or helps.

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  8. Space

    The Vera Rubin Observatory is ready to revolutionize astronomy

    Sporting the world’s largest digital camera, the new telescope is poised to help solve some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    mRNA vaccines hold promise for many diseases. Now the tech is under fire 

    Researchers warn that halting federal contracts for mRNA vaccine research could weaken pandemic preparedness and slow medical advances.

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  10. Animals

    These giant carnivorous bats hug, cuddle — and even share dinner

    Infrared cameras in Costa Rica revealed that the world’s largest carnivorous bat maintains close social bonds through wing wraps and prey sharing.

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  11. Astronomy

    A dying star revealed its heart 

    Before exploding, a star shed most of its layers, giving a glimpse at a massive star’s deep interior. The event may represent a new kind of supernova.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Measure blood sugar with a grain of salt

    Continuous glucose monitors are now readily available. With guidance, they can help people make small dietary and lifestyle changes for better health.

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