Science
News and updates from the science team. Topics include genetics, infectious disease, psychology, and more.
Dopamine detoxing, hacking, and fasting: Is any of it real?
It’s not there yet — but we should be concerned.
Runaway pets — and possibly some zoo escapees — have fueled the spread of invasive snakes across the island. It’s an environmental catastrophe in the making.
Decades of citizen science are finally translating into clinical trials for psychedelic pain treatments.
It’s not as complicated as it seems, but there’s one key hurdle.
New regulations are a win for safe synthetic DNA.
In forests across the United States, two “broods,” of these noisy insects will crawl out from their underground dwellings to sprout wings, mate, lay eggs, and die.
How to summon a cicada.
Lighter, less greasy, more effective sunscreen exists. So what’s the hold up stateside?
Mindfulness is one thing. Jhāna meditation is stranger, stronger, and going mainstream.
The debate over the Anthropocene epoch, explained.
Cicadas will hear the call of spring. And then you’ll hear their mating calls, too.
Here’s what’s worrying experts right now about H5N1’s spread among dairy cows — and what isn’t.
The costly procedure was supposed to give women a new kind of freedom. Is that what it really offers?
High temperatures across the US have the potential to increase risks for drought, wildfires, and hurricanes.
How a neighborhood project to count squirrels bound me to my wild kin.
Menstruation affects the body and mind in countless ways. A new study is just the beginning.
How industrial meat and dairy trap us in an infectious disease cycle.
For the last 100 years, we’ve only had one TB vaccine — and it leaves a lot to be desired.
Even the most poetic words can’t capture the full richness of our minds. So scientists are turning to numbers.
Long after the disaster, residents of East Palestine still fear for their safety.
Eclipses inspire awe, create opportunities for science — and cause angst among energy-grid operators.
From why this year is so special to tips for watching, we’ve got you covered.
Don’t worry if you missed the 2024 eclipse. There will be more.
Why we need to take seemingly small earthquakes seriously
Scientists have drastically improved our understanding of seismic events. Here are eight things to know.
More people will travel for this event than for one of the country’s biggest games.
This scientist has seen nearly 20 solar eclipses. She’s trying to solve a mystery that could help protect Earth.
Yes, solar eclipses can blind you. Here’s how to protect your eyes.
This will be the last total solar eclipse over the contiguous United States for 21 years. Don’t miss it!
“You never forget your first kiss … you always remember your first time in the shadow,” says one eclipse chaser.
The battle proves that time is political, any way you cut it.
What is the universe made out of? How should we define death? Where did dogs come from? And more!
The climate change scenario that could chill parts of the world, explained.
From wound healing to disease diagnosis, “this stuff is like gold dust.”
The fertility treatment that gives people hope, explained in a comic.
Scientists are realizing GLP-1 drugs have the potential to turn down cravings — for more than just food.
Be warned: “Extensive” travel required. And your eyesight may never recover.
Medications can help the 1 in 12 people who suffer from alcohol use disorder. But most will never be treated.