News

Health & Medicine

Scientists identify a long-sought by-product of some drinking water treatments

Chlorine-based water treatments create many by-products, but one has been elusive. Its identification sets the stage for studying its health effects.

Animals

For adult chimps, playing may be more important than previously thought

A multiyear study of dozens of wild, adult chimps suggests that play helps reduce tension and boost cooperation among individuals.

Astronomy

This is the first close-up image of a star beyond our galaxy

The first-ever close-up of an extragalactic star looks different than expected and might give a view of what stars look like at the end of their lives.

Planetary Science

Mars’ potato-shaped moons could be the remains of a shredded asteroid

Phobos and Deimos could have formed from asteroid debris, a new study suggests. An upcoming sample return mission will help test the idea.

Artificial Intelligence

Here’s why turning to AI to train future AIs may be a bad idea

If future AI models are trained on AI-generated content, they could end up producing more bias and nonsense, researchers caution.

Cosmology

Einstein’s gravity endures despite a dark energy puzzle

The DESI project previously reported that dark energy — long thought to be constant — changes over time. A new analysis reaffirms that claim.

Health & Medicine

Vaccines, fluoride, raw milk: How RFK Jr.’s views may shape public health

If confirmed as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy could influence U.S. policy on vaccines, drugs and food safety.

Life

Nature’s first fiber optics could light the way to internet innovation

Mineral crystals in heart cockles’ shells protect symbiotic algae from ultraviolet rays and could lead to innovations in internet infrastructure.

Health & Medicine

Youth tobacco use has gone down, but the work isn’t over

In 2024, tobacco use among middle and high school students reached a record low, but new vapes and other products with nicotine keep coming.

Health & Medicine

Keeping weight off may be stymied by fat cells’ ‘memory’ of obesity

Some genetic changes in fat cells don’t go away after weight loss, a study in mice and human cells suggests.

Neuroscience

Some people don’t have a mind’s eye. Scientists want to know why

The senses of sight and sound are usually mingled in the brain, but not for people with aphantasia.

Oceans

The world’s largest coral was discovered in the South Pacific

The behemoth coral, discovered in October in the Solomon Islands, is longer than a blue whale and older than the United States.