photo of Ashley Yeager

Ashley Yeager

Associate News Editor

Ashley Yeager is the associate news editor at Science News. Previously, she worked at The Scientist, where she was an associate editor for nearly three years. She has also worked as a freelance editor and writer, and as a writer at the Simons Foundation, Duke University and the W.M. Keck Observatory. She was the web producer for Science News from 2013 to 2015, and was an intern at the magazine in the summer of 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master’s degree in science writing from MIT. Her book, Bright Galaxies, Dark Matter and Beyond, on the life of astronomer Vera Rubin, will be published by MIT Press in August.

All Stories by Ashley Yeager

  1. Neuroscience

    Place cells in brain reveal how memories are kept separate

    Place cells' distinct firing patterns reveal how the brain has such a huge capacity for storing memories and distinguishing them from one another.

  2. Neuroscience

    Main protein for sensing touch identified in mammals

    A close look at how mice respond to touch has helped scientists pinpoint the protein, called Piezo2, that makes mammals feel the sensation.

  3. Archaeology

    Genetic tests confirm remains are those of King Richard III

    DNA evidence has finally confirmed that remains found beneath a parking lot in Leicester, England, are those of King Richard III.

  4. Planetary Science

    Comet lander’s exploration cut short

    The comet lander Philae made history with its touchdown on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, but a series of small hiccups prevented the robot from recharging its batteries, giving it only about 57 hours to explore the alien world.

  5. Genetics

    Orchid genome may save highly endangered species

    The sequenced genome of the orchid Phalaenopsis equestris offers some hints about a different form of photosynthesis and how the flowers of the plant got their specialized shape.

  6. Humans

    Breakfast in the classroom boosts school attendance

    Schools that serve breakfast in the classroom have slightly better attendance than schools that only offer the meal in the cafeteria.

  7. Genetics

    Genes linked to feather development predate dinosaurs

    The genes for feather development may have existed more than 100 million years before dinosaurs sported hints of the fluffy plumage.

  8. Animals

    Virus implicated in sea star die-off

    Sea stars on the west coast have been wasting away into puddles of slime. Now, scientists think they have pinpointed the virus that is causing the mass die-off of the dazzling marine creatures.

  9. Planetary Science

    Philae lander sent in a surprise before going to sleep

    The robotic probe that landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has beamed back some surprises about the icy boulder.

  10. Astronomy

    Philae lander reveals stunning, unsettling view of comet

    Concerns are surfacing about the Rosetta mission lander Philae’s ability to fully explore comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

  11. Astronomy

    Philae lander image raises questions about probe’s health

    Early reports suggest that Rosetta's lander Philae bounced twice when landing on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

  12. Astronomy

    Rosetta mission lander set to explore surface of comet

    The Rosetta spacecraft’s minifridge-sized lander Philae is now on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and is beginning to study its geology and chemistry.