A fantastical world of potential giant viruses lurks beneath the soil
Giant viruses may try out all sorts of funky lewks. New images reveal the varied — and sometimes whimsical —…
Climate change puts children’s health at risk now and in the future
Climate-related environmental disasters have not let up this summer. Heat waves are roasting the United States, Europe, China and North…
The thymus withers away after puberty. But it may be important for adults
A mysterious organ that’s most active in childhood might play a previously underappreciated role in adults. In a study of…
A child’s ornate necklace highlights ancient farmers’ social complexity
A Middle Eastern child interred in a stone-lined grave around 9,000 years ago wore an elaborate necklace that illustrates the…
A colossal ancient whale could be the heaviest animal ever known
Move over, blue whales. There could be a new heavyweight champ in town. Fossilized vertebrae and ribs from a newly…
July 2023 nailed an unfortunate world record: hottest month ever recorded
Most humans felt the scorching touch of climate change in July. July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded, and…
The newfound Los Angeles thread millipede is ready for its close-up
Despite living in the entertainment capital of the world, the Los Angeles thread millipede has avoided the limelight. But when…
50 years ago, scientists thought they had found Earth’s oldest rocks
Oldest rocks— Science News, July 21, 1973 Until recently, Greenland possessed the oldest known rocks in the world. They date…
‘Blight’ warns that a future pandemic could start with a fungus
BlightEmily MonossonW.W. Norton & Co., $28.95 In the summer of 1904, American chestnut trees in the Bronx were in trouble.…
Playful behavior in rats is controlled by a specific area of their brains
Rats are extremely playful creatures. They love playing chase, and they literally jump for joy when tickled. Central to this…
