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. Astronomy

    Oldest star provides hints about first supernovas

    The chemical composition of star SMSS J031300.362670839.3 and four others suggests that the explosions of the early universe weren't big enough to seed galaxies with iron.

  2. Astronomy

    Old stars gleaned neighbors’ gas, Hubble data show

    Blue straggler stars can continue to burn hot after taking material from a stellar companion.

  3. Planetary Science

    Big space rock makes an impact on Mars

    An orbiting spacecraft snapped images of a huge crater and blast marks on the surface of the Red Planet.

  4. Planetary Science

    Asteroid shows its inner differences

    The peanut-shaped space rock is more compact on one side than on the other.

  5. Genetics

    Chemical changes to genes make twins’ pain differ

    Chemical changes to genes may make identical twins experience pain differently.

  6. Life

    Mosquito sperm may sense smells

    Mosquitoes’ sperm may have chemical sensors that detect odors similar to the way the insect’s antennae sort smells.

  7. Humans

    DNA suggests humans moved back into Africa

    About 3,000 years ago, human populations from western Eurasia migrated back into eastern Africa, specifically Ethiopia.

  8. Neuroscience

    Football helmet redesign can reduce concussion risk

    No helmet will ever eliminate the risk of sustaining a concussions during a football game. But tweaking the design may slow the speed of head movements after a hit and reduce the risk of brain trauma.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Tumors grow faster in cancer-prone mice given vitamins

    The tumors killed the mice twice as fast as early-stage lung lesions in mice not given the antioxidants, researchers report.

  10. Neuroscience

    ‘Unique’ human brain regions similar to monkeys’ brains

    Monkeys may have rudimentary brain wiring that later evolved into the connections that gave humans the ability to understand language, think flexibly and make decisions.

  11. Planetary Science

    China’s moon rover may be beyond repair

    If the rover’s electronics are exposed to the extremely cold temperatures on the moon, they will break, leaving Jade Rabbit inoperable.

  12. Life

    Molecule stops MERS spread among cultured human cells

    The molecule interacts with the protein the MERS virus uses to enter a cell.