News

Astronomy

Otherworldly triple play

Astronomers have discovered the first known system of three superEarths beyond the solar system.

Astronomy

Visions of dirt

Phoenix Lander gets first close-up of Martian soil.

Astronomy

Not a ripple

Another null result for gravitational waves. But findings from LIGO still reveal new information about the Crab Pulsar.

Archaeology

Resurrection of a biblical tree

Date palm pit found at Masada sprouts at age 2,000, becoming the oldest known seed to germinate.

Earth

Unintended consequences

A full recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica in the coming years could significantly boost warming of the atmosphere over and around the icy continent.

Health & Medicine

No babies, no hormones

A radically different form of contraception would prevent pregnancies with small molecules of RNA.

Space

Before the beginning

A new analysis suggests that the universe exists within a bigger space.

Planetary Science

Shake, shake, shake

Instrument succeeds in capturing first soil sample, allowing Mars Phoenix Lander team to begin scientific studies.

Astronomy

From planet to plutoid

Pluto and its dwarf planet neighbors are christened plutoids, the International Astronomical Union rules.

Health & Medicine

Virus versus virus

Customized RNA snippets delivered by a harmless virus could someday provide a new way to combat the hepatitis B virus.

Health & Medicine

Seeing disease’s acidic side

Small tumors can be detected using a new technique that safely, reliably and noninvasively measures tissue chemistry.

Climate

Goldilocks tree leaves

Leaves mostly keep their cool (or warmth) wherever they live, a finding that might affect reconstructions of past climates.