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Materials Science

Phosphorene introduced as graphene alternative

Sheets of ultrathin phosphorus could lead to faster semiconductor electronics.

Cosmology

Gravitational wave detection a big day for the Big Bang

On a snowy St. Patrick’s Day, our offices officially shut down by a late-winter storm, the Science News staff was abuzz over the biggest thing since the Higgs boson. On March 17, scientists announced the first direct evidence of the theory of cosmic inflation: primordial gravitational waves.

Ecosystems

City spiders may spin low-vibe webs

Spider webs built on human-made materials have less background bounce than those built on trees and other natural surfaces, which might shrink the arachnid’s hunting success.

Animals

Pelican spiders: slow, safe assassins

Spiders, thank goodness, haven’t evolved assassin drones. But the specialized hunters of the family Archaeidae can kill at a distance.

Life

Giant zombie virus pulled from permafrost

After lying dormant in Siberian permafrost for 30,000 years, the largest virus ever discovered is just as deadly as it was when mammoths roamed the Earth.

Psychology

The addiction paradox

Addiction is often seen as a chronic disease that requires maintenance treatment even after years of sobriety. But even without help, most addicts eventually can quit for good.

Climate

Cloudy forecast

Over decades climatologists have grown more confident in their projections of the future impact of greenhouse gas emissions. But whether shifts in cloudiness will amplify global warming continues to vex researchers.

Astronomy

Galaxy drags trail of stars behind it

A Hubble Space Telescope image shows the galaxy ESO 137-001 dragging star trails behind it as it plows through the Norma galaxy cluster.

Neuroscience

Me, Myself, and Why

Me, Myself, and Why is an ambitious effort to dissect the hodgepodge of genetic and environmental factors that sculpt people’s identities.

Astronomy

Comets collide around young star

Astronomers detect clouds of carbon monoxide around Beta Pictoris that could help lead to the discovery of new planets.

Neuroscience

Music doesn’t move some people

One study offers a glimpse into those who find no enjoyment in tunes.

Science & Society

Domestic violence arrests may be counterproductive

Mandatory arrest laws may increase mortality rates, especially among employed black women.