‘It: Welcome To Derry’ Season 2 Is Officially Happening
HBO's creepy prequel is officially getting another season. Here's everything we know about 'It's next chapter.
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Bite Marks Reveal a 23-Foot Crocodilian May Have Dominated South America’s Wetlands 10 Million Years Ago
Learn how puncture marks on fossilized prey reveal how a 4,000-pound caiman relative possibly played an important role in the Miocene ecosystem.
A 3.5-Billion-Year-Old Rock in India May Preserve Carbon Left Behind by Some of Earth’s Earliest Microbes
Learn how zircon crystals and carbon chemistry helped researchers investigate a possible record of life from 3.5 billion years ago.
64 Years Later, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Is Making A Villain Origin From Scratch
Marvel's new teaser for 'Avengers: Doomsday' proves a divisive pivot for Doctor Doom.
COVID-19 Is Spreading Again as a Summer Wave Grows Across the U.S
Learn how COVID-19 is spreading across the U.S., what is driving the summer wave, and how health officials are tracking it.
HEO to use Planet satellites for non-Earth imaging
HEO, a company that uses Earth observation satellites to take images of other spacecraft,
15 Years Ago, Hayden Panettiere Launched A Major Horror Franchise Into A New Era
Back in 1996, Scream sent the horror movie into its postmodern era. Slashers were still alive and well, but the new rage was self-aware horror, which tried to deconstruct or subvert the tropes that made the genre famous. Scream famously accomplished this with an opening where Ghostface quizzes his victim on scary movies, while also featuring a cast of characters who knew their way around the genre’s archetypes.
Do you think social media bans will protect children?
Concerns about young people's social media use are growing, with governments, parents and schools looking for ways to protect children from potential harms, such as stalking, cyberbullying or sexual harassment. Experts also cite concerns about misleading health and medical content online, including posts that may glamorize or oversimplify conditions such as ADHD and potentially encourage young users to self-diagnose.
What Is El Niño? Here’s What It Means for Weather, Water, and Global Economy
This year’s El Niño is shaping up to be the strongest on record. This is what impacts to expect and how bad it could get.
Voodoo Death Shows How Extreme Fear Can Turn Into a Physical Threat
Learn how a 1942 study about voodoo death and whether curses could really kill people became the catalyst for our modern understanding of the brain-body connection.
Lake Powell Hits Lowest Level On Record As Water Crisis Continues
Levels in Lakes Mead and Powell have not been so low since 1957, underscoring a water crisis that plagues seven states that rely on the Colorado River.
Finishing Your Course of Antibiotics May No Longer Be the Standard for Some Infections
Learn how certain infections may no longer need as long an antibiotic course as previously thought.
‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Has A Major Anakin Problem
Ahsoka is coming back! At D23, we got a brand-new look at the return of Dave Filoni’s live-action spinoff starring Rosario Dawson as the titular former Jedi, and it gave us everything we could want: flashbacks, lightsabers, big questions, dilemmas, and lots and lots of Thrawn.
The Moon’s shadow raced across the heart of Spain, and I was there to see it
DURATÓN, Spain—I'll say it: I'm hooked. Standing in the shadow of the Moon is one of the rarest opportunities to directly sense the mechanics of our Solar System, when the dance between three celestial bodies slides into perfect alignment. It's a mathematical miracle whose rarity and grandeur are made possible by the relative sizes and distances of the Moon and the Sun from Earth. Not every planet is so lucky.
This R-Rated Film Studio Wants to Be the HBO of AI
Rogue Studios, a new cinematic adult AI-generator, is betting big on the future of “sophisticated” spicy content.
As Sicilians Flocked to a Religious Festival, Thieves Broke Into a Nearby Museum and Stole Four Renaissance Paintings
The missing works include three panels from a 15th-century altarpiece by Antonello da Messina,
What Flock’s defenders are missing
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Flock, the police-tech giant known for its network of some 120,000 automatic license plate readers around the US, announced some changes to its platform last Thursday.
Australia’s Social Media Ban for Teens May Not Be the Best Solution, But It’s Certainly Getting People Talking
The Aussie experiment comes amid a lack of clear evidence that the apps harm most adolescents. It may take a dramatic research pivot to finally reveal what’s going on and how to fix it.
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In a First, Astronomers May Have Spotted a Galaxy in the Early Universe With Three Behemoth Black Holes
The galaxy’s light took about 12.5 billion years to reach the James Webb Space Telescope, meaning the instrument saw the black holes a little more than one billion years after the Big Bang.
One country seems immune to global warming. And nobody knows why
Welcome to the warming hole,
Kade? 20 Years Later, Star Wars Is Reclaiming A Wild Legacy
What’s in a Star Wars name? That which we call a Tauntaun would, by any other name, still smell worse on the inside. Inspiration for names could come from anywhere, be that Lucasfilm employees, Eastern references, or just syllables that sound right together. Because of that, anything could be a Star Wars name, from Elan Sleazebaggano to Sio Bibble.
The Online Trade of Mummified Remains Could Be Spreading Harmful Fungi
The "real mummy's curse" may actually be a harmful fungus. Learn more about the hidden biohazards linked to the online sale of mummified remains.
This is what's actually in your bottled water after its been left in a hot car for a day
Apart from tasting yucky, the main health concerns here are microplastics and chemicals leaching from the bottle.
COVID-19 Excess Mortality Study Retracted Over Misinformation in Its Discussion
Learn why BMJ Public Health withdrew a COVID-19 study that counted millions of excess deaths but could not establish their causes.
ULA names Peller as new CEO
United Launch Alliance has named Mark Peller, a longtime manager and executive at the company, as its new chief executive.
When Did Animals Start Giving Birth to Live Young? This 236-Million-Year-Old Fossil Might Rewrite Mammals’ Evolutionary History
A bone feature found in a mammal ancestor hints that the creature was relatively large as a newborn, more in line with the size of a creature birthed live than hatched from an egg.
Did you solve it? A new goat for puzzledom’s GOAT
The solution to today’s puzzle Earlier today I set you a new twist on the Monty Hall problem, which is (according to AI) the most discussed recreational maths puzzle in history.
Snail slime does many jobs thanks to calcium
Snails have five distinct types of mucus, each with its own job. The mollusks tweak calcium secretions to get the chemical mixture just right.
Watch: Flood sweeps vehicle away in Hawaii after Hurricane Lala
Tropical storm warnings remain for some of the state's islands, as the storm is due to progress west.
Top album releases linked to rise in fatal crashes as ‘distracted’ drivers access music
Harvard study finds traffic fatalities increase by 15% on release dates compared with similar days either side
Hubble & Gaia solve our galaxy’s merger mystery
Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, grew to its current size in part by consuming smaller galaxies. Now, new data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope show definitive evidence of a dwarf galaxy merging with the young Milky Way galaxy in the earliest phases of its evolution. This finding extends our knowledge of our galaxy’s history 1.8 billion years farther back in time than before.
1,700-year-old church discovered under a lake in Turkey may be the location of the First Council of Nicaea — but other experts disagree
A small church discovered beneath a larger one may have hosted one of the most important meetings in the history of Christianity, but some scholars not involved with the excavation disagree.
This Couple Found a Mysterious 150-Pound Sculpture Buried in Their Backyard. Now, They’re Trying to Figure Out Who Made It
After discovering a large limestone bust on their San Francisco property in May,
49 Years Later, One Foundational Star Trek Villain Has Returned
The original Klingon is back. Let's talk about Kor's return in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.'
Total solar eclipse 2026 (Official ESA broadcast)
Video: 01:10:42 We broadcast live from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Spain as a total solar eclipse crossed Europe on 12 August 2026.
The COVID-19 vaccine may offer brain cancer patients a surprise benefit
A recent shot of the COVID-19 vaccine doubled survival time in glioblastoma patients who had undergone tumor biopsy or surgery.
Listen Up, Parents: Running With a Stroller Might Make You Less Prone to Overuse Injuries
Runners often experience conditions like shin splints, runner’s knee and plantar fasciitis, which causes pain in the bottom of the heel.
Meet the only known trebuchet casualty in history
During a medieval siege, a trebuchet scored a chance hit one unlucky defender. A small boulder slammed into his upper back at close to 300 kilometers an hour, smashing bones and crushing him beneath its weight.
Low-fat vegan diet helps people lose weight without eating less
A low-fat vegan diet may help people lose weight without counting calories, shrinking portions, or feeling constantly hungry. In a 16-week clinical trial, people eating mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes consumed about 357 fewer calories per day even though the total amount of food they ate barely changed.
Skeleton with 167 fractures discovered at Scottish castle may have been first victim of Edward I’s ‘War Wolf’ trebuchet
Dozens of fractures in a medieval skeleton found buried near a castle suggest the person may have been killed by a direct trebuchet hit.
Webb’s mysterious little red dots may be hiding entire galaxies
Astronomers may finally have a clue to what happens to the mysterious “little red dots” that crowded the early universe. By studying a spiral galaxy nicknamed the “Saguaro,” researchers found a compact, bright red center that closely resembles these distant objects—but with something Webb usually can’t see around them: a full galaxy. When the team simulated what the Saguaro would look like much farther away, its spiral structure essentially vanished, leaving only the bright red core.
What is Ebola and why is the outbreak in DRC causing so much concern?
Strain of virus with no vaccine has potential to overrun response impeded by conflict and misinformation
Tiny 1.7-billion-year-old fossils could reveal how complex life began
Scientists are searching some of Earth’s oldest rocks for tiny fossils that could reveal how simple microbial life made the extraordinary leap toward plants, animals, and other complex organisms. Solving that ancient mystery may also help determine whether complex life could emerge on worlds beyond Earth.
Caltech breakthrough brings fiber-optic performance to silicon chips
Caltech scientists have created ultra-low-loss optical pathways on silicon chips that approach the efficiency of fiber optics and dramatically outperform existing technology at visible wavelengths. The breakthrough could unlock more powerful lasers, miniature atomic sensors and clocks, quantum systems, and more energy-efficient data centers.
4 Years Later, One Of The Best Thrillers Of The Decade Just Got A Huge Upgrade
Zach Cregger's first game-changing film, 'Barbarian,' still haunts you.
Robot learns to dismantle broken machines
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology researchers built a robotic disassembly system that adapts when screws get stuck or parts go missing in old machines.
The Download: dead robot friends and the “censorship-industrial complex”
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. What happens when a kid’s robot best friend dies? When Xander first met Moxie, she taught him how to calm down when he was anxious or mad.
Scientists uncover the hidden nerve network fueling breast cancer
Researchers have uncovered a surprising way triple-negative breast cancer may turn the body against itself. Tumors appear to recruit macrophages—immune cells normally involved in healing and fighting infection—and use them to release a protein called BDNF that draws nerves into the tumor. Those nerves may then help the cancer grow, resist treatment, and potentially spread.
AI eyes in the sky: new satellites and artificial intelligence are transforming wildfire detection
Hi-tech cameras orbiting Earth and on the ground, along with AI,
SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission
Launch services provider SEOPS has added a second dedicated rideshare mission after seeing high demand for one announced less than three months ago.
This Connecticut Teenager Spied on the British During the American Revolution, Succeeding Where Nathan Hale Failed
Newly uncovered documents reveal the story of David Maltbie,
7 Best Cheap Laptops to Buy in 2026 (and Some to Avoid)
From surprisingly good $300 Chromebooks to excellent $650 Windows notebooks and more, these are the best budget laptops I’ve tested.
Consultation ending on controversial Rosebank oil field
Supporters and opponents of the controversial plans have been making their cases on the £8.7bn project.
Heat and farming changes stop sea lettuce growth
St Aubin's Bay enjoys a summer without the green sea lettuce that has previously caused problems.
Muir resignation demand is 'not personal' says UFU
The Ulster Farmers' Union rejects a claim that it is trying to dictate policy after a cattle cull.
CookUnity Prepared Meal Delivery Review (2026): Chef-Centric Meals
I’ve tried most of the ready-to-eat meal delivery services in the country. CookUnity is the one that feels like real cooking, from real chefs.
‘The Odyssey’ streaming scam could steal your bank info
Fake streaming sites promise free access to Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" but steal credit card details through bogus free trial signups.
Preservation order protects 300-year-old oak
Six tree preservation orders are issued to protect important trees across a borough in Devon.
Skylight Buddy Review (2026): Kid Routines Just Got Easy
This kid-friendly version of Skylight’s digital calendar actually gets my son to complete his nighttime routine in a timely fashion.
Fire-flame vessel: An exquisitely crafted 4,500-year-old pot from a mysterious culture in Japan
Archaeologists aren't sure why prehistoric people in Japan made these elaborate vessels decorated with flames.
El Niño and Saharan Dust Silence Atlantic Hurricane Season
El Niño coupled with Saharan dust is making this year’s hurricane season a dud. But there’s still potential for dangerous storms.
Long March 12 launches despite recent 7A failure, Long March 2C launches satellite for UAE
Long March 12 launches despite recent 7A failure, Long March 2C launches satellite for UAE China launched a new batch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites over the weekend, following up with a separate launch of a developmental satellite for the UAE.
Election Officials Are Preparing for Prediction Markets to Sow Chaos in the Midterms
From threats to the safety of poll workers to voters who can’t distinguish between odds and results, prediction markets are already scrambling the political process.
Jaguars Are Ready to Come Back. The Border Wall Might Stop Them
A lone male roves the Arizona mountains, and a female has been spotted just across the border in Mexico. The sightings raise hopes for the species, despite serious threats.
Share Your Experiences With the Public Health System in Louisiana
The New York Times is examining how public health is changing in the state, from the whooping cough outbreak to vaccine policies, and we want to hear from you.
How One Woman With a Very Rare Disease Secured a Clinical Trial
Through sheer determination, Neena Nizar has become the first patient in a clinical trial testing a treatment for her disease — one so rare it affects just 30 people worldwide.
How Louisiana’s New Surgeon General Wants to Transform Public Health
Dr. Evelyn Griffin is pushing for more emphasis on wellness and prevention. She has also aligned with the MAHA movement in fighting government mandates and questioning the safety of some vaccines.
What happens when a kid’s robot best friend dies?
When Xander first met Moxie, she taught him that when he was anxious, he could calm down by exhaling through his lips so that he buzzed like a bee. They practiced breathing like dragons to manage feeling mad and sniffing like bunnies to boost his energy. But in the six years they’ve known each other,
How much hydrogen awaits us underground?
In the 1990s, Barbara Sherwood Lollar descended into the Kidd Creek mine in northern Ontario, which cuts more than three kilometers into the ancient root of North America. There her team of geochemists found water that had been confined underground for more than a billion years.
There’s a New Link Between Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers found that a metabolite produced by gut bacteria can weaken the barrier that protects the brain and promote changes associated with the cognitive disease.
Elon Musk and Sam Altman claim we’ve reached the AI singularity. But how would we even know that happened?
Elon Musk and Sam Altman claim we've reached the singularity, even though AI scientists suggest it could take decades alongside breakthroughs we haven't even achieved. But how would we even know if it had happened?
Scientists turn DNA into a memory device that uses 100x less power
Researchers combined synthetic DNA with a semiconductor to create an ultra-low-power memory device capable of storing and processing information in the same place. The bio-hybrid technology could eventually help make AI systems and next-generation computers far more energy efficient.
Fatty food raises risk of colorectal cancer
Did you know fatty foods can increase production of an acid in your gut that promotes tumor growth? That's on top of all the other health risks linked to fatty foods, like fries and burgers.
Scientists tracked kids for 8 years — the screen time result was unexpected
An eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on screens tended to show better cognitive processing as teenagers, challenging common assumptions about screen use. Researchers say the key may be balancing physical activity with screen activities that encourage learning, creativity, and active thinking.
Can you solve it? A new goat for puzzledom’s GOAT
Take this puzzle by the horns Today’s puzzle is a new twist on The Monty Hall problem, arguably the greatest maths puzzle of all time.
Animals have been eating nature’s original bioplastic for millions of years
Nature invented biodegradable plastic long before humans did—and animals may have been feeding on it for hundreds of millions of years. Researchers discovered that dozens of animal species possess enzymes capable of breaking down microbial bioplastics called PHAs, a talent once thought to belong only to microorganisms.
Measures in place to protect historic oak tree
The tree is thought to date back to the time of Sir Isaac Newton, who lived nearby.
'I have never seen the pond so low in 17 years'
James Herd, who works for Surrey Wildlife Trust, says everyone needs to prepare for extreme weather.
Starwatch: Vega the bright star will light the way to the constellation of Lyra
Lyra, the lyre, represents the harp played by the Greek poet Orpheus We turn our attention this week to one of the sky’s smallest constellations. High overhead from the UK after darkness falls, Lyra, the lyre, is easy to find thanks to the brilliant white star of Vega. The chart shows the view facing south and looking up towards the zenith from London at 22:30 BST on 17 August.
Lynk and Omnispace form Elveo Mobile to advance D2D services
Lynk Global has completed its merger with Omnispace and rebranded as Elveo Mobile, adding globally coordinated S-band spectrum to expand direct-to-device satellite services beyond basic messaging.
NIH plan to keep peer-review scores for grants secret draws concern
Under “binning” proposal,
Tiny graphene wrinkles create surprisingly powerful electrical effects
Scientists have discovered that tiny, sharply curved wrinkles in graphene can dramatically alter its electrical behavior, creating surprisingly strong charge separation. The finding suggests future electronics could be tuned by reshaping materials at the atomic scale instead of changing what they’re made of.
Is Hal Jordan Really Dead? ‘Lanterns’ Answers A ‘Superman’ Mystery With A Shocking Twist
'Lanterns' Episode 1 ends with a shocking flash forward that rewrites the future of the Green Lantern Corps.
Justice Department calls three NSF diversity programs unconstitutional
New ruling bars programs said to discriminate by race and sex,
Massive new animal disease lab in Kansas runs into more delays
USDA doesn’t know when facility will be able to handle the most dangerous pathogens
A little-known protein may be fueling Alzheimer’s — and scientists found a way to block it
An experimental Alzheimer’s compound prevented damaging protein clumps from forming in the brains of mice, helping nerve cells survive longer and reducing amyloid buildup. The treatment also appeared to improve heart health and slow some signs of aging, raising hopes for an entirely new way to combat dementia.
80 Weird Things for Men With Near-Perfect Amazon Reviews That Are So Genius
The ratings speak for themselves — guys *love* these odd but awesome things.
110 kooky things that are so cool & so cheap on Amazon
Within the depths of Amazon you’ll find some of the coolest and weirdest things. These kooky things are so cool and so cheap on Amazon, and you’ll want all of them.
Satellite operators emphasize launch deals in a constrained market
Amid a constrained launch market, satellite operators are increasingly emphasizing to investors and customers that they have lined up launch capacity.
65 Weird-Ass Products Under $25 That Are Extremely Useful
Get ready, because there are so many wacky-but-ingenious products on this list just waiting to solve your problems.
55 Wacky Things for Your Home That Are Actually Super Practical
From oddly shaped tools to gadgets with specific purposes, every pick does its job with its own wacky flair.
5 bizarre ways space experts want to clean up Earth’s orbit
Sticky satellites? Space harpoons? Robotic tentacles? Laser cannons? Space lassos?
The everyday mineral a Harvard doctor says could help protect your brain from dementia
A decade-long study looked at 27 metals in the brain – and found one surprising link to Alzheimer’s disease
9 simple, science-backed changes that can reverse your biological age
Science says it’s time to rethink – and take control – of ageing.
60 Dope Things With Near-Perfect Reviews That Are Skyrocketing in Popularity on Amazon
Shoppers are obsessed with these useful, clever, and cool products — once you see them, you’ll understand why they’re skyrocketing in popularity on Amazon.
60 Years Later, One Endlessly Spoofed Sci-Fi Movie Is Still A Masterpiece
You've seen it parodied on 'Rick and Morty,' 'Futurama,' and dozens of other shows, but 'Fantastic Voyage' is, well, fantastic.
This 10-cent heart drug cuts hospitalizations by 25%
A centuries-old heart drug costing less than ten cents a day could help keep heart-failure patients out of the hospital. New research suggests low-dose digoxin can reduce heart-failure hospitalizations by about 25%, potentially paving the way for its return as a major treatment.
A little movement in midlife could pay off for your brain years later
Exercise and healthy blood sugar levels in midlife may help slow cognitive decline decades later. Physical activity appeared especially beneficial for Mexican American adults, suggesting that some brain-protective factors may differ across populations.
The common mistake that could make aging joints hurt more
Aging gradually wears down the cartilage and fluid that protect our joints, but avoiding movement may actually make matters worse. Exercise helps nourish cartilage, strengthens the muscles that protect joints, and can reduce osteoarthritis pain. Low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, tai chi, yoga, and walking on varied terrain may also improve balance and mobility. Even a few minutes of the right kind of movement can make a difference.
‘There’s a sense that these algorithms are objective and they get to know you’: How social media warps our understanding of healthcare
Editor Hannah Osborne spoke with investigative journalist Dr. Deborah Cohen about her new book, "Bad Influence: How the Internet Hijacked Our Health."
Astronomers Discover the Existence of a Black Hole Star
An object observed by the James Webb Space Telescope lends credence to a strange explanation for the mysterious red spots in the early universe.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Review: The Right Shape
Nearly a decade after its debut, Samsung’s Galaxy Fold finally comes into its own.
U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study
Firefly, D-Orbit and Katalyst will compete to show how commercial operators could capture and remove aging spacecraft
TerraMow V1000 Review: Show Your Lawn Some Love
With automatic mapping, Spot Mode functionality, and smart AI cameras, the TerraMow V1000 is the complete package.
Someone Finally Fixed Installing Apps on a Mac
The installation utility EasyDMG makes it so you never drag and drop an icon again.
It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning for the Next Two Solar Eclipses
In 2027 and 2028, there will be two spectacular, long-duration solar eclipses. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Wildfire smoke now bigger prenatal threat than human sources of air pollution
In 1965, a presidential advisory panel issued a report warning that pervasive chemical and carbon pollution was harming environmental health and changing the climate. Five years later, President Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act.
Astronomers find water in the harsh environment near the Milky Way’s black hole — Space photo of the week
Astronomers detected dust and water surprisingly close to the Milky Way's central black hole, Sagittarius A*, offering a rare direct view of how evolved stars may behave in hostile settings.
Inside the Experimental Traps Scientists Set for Ghostly Neutrinos
Observatories have been built in mines, deep under the Antarctic ice sheet, and elsewhere in an effort to detect the fleeting particles.
Physicists discover a hidden gluon structure inside protons that could rewrite textbooks
Physicists may have uncovered a hidden feature inside protons that helps preserve one of matter’s most fundamental properties. RHIC collision data suggest baryon number is carried not simply by three quarks, but by a Y-shaped junction of the gluons connecting them. The finding challenges a decades-old textbook picture and could deepen our understanding of why protons—and ultimately matter itself—remain stable.
The Best Cat Water Fountains of 2026: Petlibro, Petkit, Oneisall
Ensuring your cat stays hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. The right pet water fountain can help.
Scientists reveal why walking gets so much harder with age
As we age, the body appears to sacrifice walking efficiency in exchange for stability. Older adults stiffen the ankle more with each step, which may help prevent falls but also forces the muscles to work harder while producing less forward motion. This leads to shorter strides, slower walking, and faster fatigue. Exercises targeting balance, coordination, and lower-leg strength could help preserve mobility.
Block export of ‘national treasure’ UK fossils, says MP
Sale of one of UK’s top collections overseas prompts call new rules to help keep items in country One of UK’s best fossil collections sold in ‘loss to the nation’ An MP has called on ministers to change export controls so that significant fossils can be classed as national treasures after one of the UK’s best collections, unearthed on Dorset beaches, was sold overseas. Last week, a Guardian investigation revealed that an unparalleled collection of fossils from the UK’s Jurassic Coast, comprising hundreds of specimens including ichthyosaurs,
Which building blocks of life have been found in space, and which haven’t?
So far, researchers have found many signs of the building blocks of life in space, but what exactly have they discovered, and what remains to be found?
A new Ice Age species was hiding in la brea tar pits fossils for decades
Scientists have discovered a new extinct amphibian species hiding in the fossil collections of Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits. Named Spea labreae, the Ice Age spadefoot toad is an exceptionally rare find—only one other extinct Pleistocene amphibian has ever been identified in North America. Its bones had been sitting in collections since the 1950s before a researcher noticed features that set it apart from known species.
A black hole shredded a “super sun” — but something strange may have survived
Astronomers have witnessed a black hole violently shredding a massive star, creating one of the most energetic stellar explosions ever observed. The event, nicknamed “the Whippet,” briefly released about 400 billion times the Sun’s energy and sent a shock wave racing outward at one-fifth the speed of light. Months later, scientists spotted unexpectedly fast-moving helium, suggesting that some structure may have survived the destruction.
COVID-19 awakens dormant viruses — and one is linked to long COVID
COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses hiding in the body, including Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, and several herpes viruses. One poorly understood viral family was strongly associated with long COVID and lasting disability, offering a potentially important clue to why some patients struggle to recover.
Lunar orbiter among upcoming NASA CLPS task orders
NASA plans to award three more lunar missions this year through a commercial services program, including an orbiter that would replace LRO.
The influencers getting bitten chasing the perfect shark shot
Tayane Dalazen was on a shark-diving trip in Brazil when she was attacked.
65 Cheap Things That Are So Genius, They’re Life-Changing
There’s a big difference between a product that’s handy and one so genius it changes your life for the better — this is full of the latter,
Hurricane Lala: Hawaii battles with flash floods and strong winds
The state’s governor says there “amazingly” does not seem to have been any loss of life besides a car crash.
80 Cheap Gifts for Men on Amazon That Are Legitimately Amazing
I’ve put all the amazing products I’ve found into one giant list to make it easier for you — and me, next time — to gift something that he’ll want.
Science or fiction? Shadowy ‘paper mills’ let you pay to be a published author – of fraudulent research
Paper mill activity has exploded in recent years,
Belgian firefighters battle blaze tearing through nature reserve
The fire burning through the major park was described as the country's worst in recent years.
How to change your personality for lasting happiness, according to a psychologist
Here's how to measure (and fix) your neuroticism score
VisionQuest Trailer Promises To End Marvel’s Boldest Trilogy, With A Star Trek-ish Twist
Back in 2021, one TV show launched the Disney+ Marvel Universe: WandaVision. It was an experimental, meta take on TV shows as a whole, and let Wanda Maximoff craft her own love story with Vision, who by the end was reborn as White Vision. WandaVision launched its own pocket cinematic universe, including Agatha All Along and, arguably, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Trailer Reveals Split Timeline — And Major Legends Reboot
We're getting 'Heir to the Empire' and 'The Clone Wars' live action all at once. Is 'Ahsoka' Season 2 a story on three fronts?
‘An extremely exciting milestone!’: landmark treatment slashes cholesterol by 62% with a single dose
A recent trial of an experimental gene therapy significantly lowered participants’ ‘bad’ cholesterol after just one injection.
Marvel Confirms Rebooted X-Men Cast, Reveals 2028 Release Date
Ever since Disney purchased Fox in 2019, fans have wondered about the possibilities of introducing X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It started slowly with Deadpool, but in bits and pieces, the X-Men became more and more integrated. By the time of Deadpool & Wolverine, it was firmly established that the X-Men movies exist in another universe, one of countless universes that exist.
Here’s what your sex life actually reveals about your relationship
Couples who are completely head-over-heels for one another aren’t necessarily having more sex, according to new research.
Scientists detect a surprising shift in human blood as CO2 rises
Rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be leaving a measurable imprint inside the human body. Researchers analyzing more than two decades of U.S. health data found that blood bicarbonate levels have climbed about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus have declined—changes that closely track increasing atmospheric CO2.
60 Kooky New Things On Amazon That Are Utterly Genius
Scroll to discover a bonanza of the latest, greatest, and kookiest things out there.
When gut microbes run low on fiber, they may start eating you
Gut microbes need something to eat, and when fiber is limited, they may begin consuming proteins from the mucus lining that protects the gut. Researchers found that fiber can suppress this process, while indigestible plant proteins help microbes produce more beneficial compounds.
A 30-year-old fossil was hiding bones from a mysterious ancient sea monster
Fossils collected in Osaka more than 30 years ago have revealed a surprise hiding in plain sight: four previously unrecognized bones from a giant Cretaceous mosasaur. Among them is the first confirmed premaxilla—the frontmost bone of the upper jaw—ever identified in a Japanese mosasaur fossil. Even more intriguing, parts of the skull show unusual anatomical features that don’t match known mosasaurs, raising the possibility that the remains belong to an entirely new species.
Common food preservative linked to rising suicide deaths among young people
A widely available food-preservation chemical is emerging as a disturbing factor in rising UK suicide deaths, particularly among younger people and men. Researchers say the scale may be underestimated and are calling for urgent restrictions on access and harmful online information.
While Not the First Oral GLP-1, Daily Orforglipron Pill Could Reduce Reliance on Weight Loss Injections
Learn more about Orforglipron, a daily GLP-1 weight loss pill that could be a better alternative to GLP-1 injections.
A 60-year-old theory about ants, bees and wasps may be wrong
Scientists have long thought an unusual genetic system helped ants, bees, and wasps evolve their extraordinary social colonies. A massive new analysis suggests that genetics alone can’t explain it—and the real secret may lie in other traits unique to these insects.
10 Films From The 2026 Fantasia Film Festival I Can’t Stop Thinking About
The biggest genre film festival in North America is the Fantasia Film Festival. Here's 10 great movies to watch out for.
This is the single best diet to help prevent dementia, according to a Harvard professor
Nearly half of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle – and the foods you eat could make all the difference
4 lemurs die of human herpesvirus, including one that had been used in a ‘lemur yoga’ class
Researchers recently confirmed cases of human herpesvirus infection in four lemurs, which died of the infection after having close contact with humans.
40 Years Later, ‘The Fly’s’ VFX Artist Reveals How A Masterpiece Came To Life
Chris Walas talks about the creation of 'The Fly,' 40 years later.
So much solar: Digging into the list of every US power plant that went online this year
It’s been a wild first half of the year in the US power sector, with announcements of gigantic natural gas power plants and some long-awaited renewable energy projects coming online.
Scientists solve the mystery of a brain “switch” that can trigger weight loss in opposite ways
Scientists have uncovered why two seemingly opposite ways of targeting the same brain receptor can both promote weight loss. In mice, activating the GIP receptor in the brainstem reduced appetite, while blocking it in the hypothalamus removed a kind of “brake” on fullness signals. The discovery helps explain why very different obesity drugs can achieve similar results and suggests that carefully combining GIP-targeting treatments with GLP-1 drugs like those related to Wegovy and Ozempic could produce stronger effects.
The Fauci hearing was painful to watch. But we need answers on Covid-19’s origin| David Relman
Despite the recent hearings in Congress,
‘A fine line between reducing stigma and trivialising conditions’: Social media, self-diagnosis and the glamorization of ADHD
In this excerpt from “Bad Influence: How the Internet Hijacked Our Health,” author Dr. Deborah Cohen explores the portrayal of ADHD on social media platforms like TikTok, showing the fine line between raising awareness and hijacking a health condition for engagement.
How Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
Why do cats yowl?
Understanding a cat’s yowl requires looking beyond the noise to the behavior and emotions behind it.
‘A tax on being thin’: only high earners make overall savings on food bills from weight-loss drugs
Users need discretionary income of nearly £100,000 a year to make savings on their grocery spend after paying £1,200 for GLP-1s,
Solar eclipse inspires talk of Pac-man and Shinto myths
Thousands turned out to watch the solar eclipse in the South West; here's what they made of it.
Europe’s scorched landscapes seen from space after summer heatwaves
BBC Verify examines the impact of drought and extreme heat on western European rivers, fields and mountains.
Tropical Storm Lala Could Be Hurricane By Time It Hits Hawaii’s Big Island
The National Hurricane Center said Lala should be at hurricane strength by the time it approaches the Big Island early Saturday.
75 Things for Your Home Under $25 That Are Legitimately Amazing
These clever, problem-solving buys help you organize and upgrade your home, making your life easier. They're easy on your wallet as well — each product costs less than $25.
Submerged Leg Bones Suggest Denisovans May Have Stood Much Taller Than Other Hominins in Asia
Learn about two leg bones from the Taiwan Strait that have shed light on the large body size of Denisovans living in ancient Asia.
Underwater Data Centers Promise a Climate-Forward Solution, But a Warming Ocean Complicates Things
Learn more about underwater data centers and how warming ocean temps may make them more obsolete.
Draft dark skies guidance drawn up for the Highlands
The plan to reduce light pollution could be put out for public consultation at a later date.
Common Diabetes Drug Metformin and “Nature’s Ozempic” May Lower Blood Sugar Through the Gut
Learn how a previously established explanation of how the most common diabetes drug works may need an update.
Youth Protein TIMP2 Restores Immune Function in the Aging Brain
Researchers discovered that the youth-associated protein TIMP2 restores healthy immune function in the aging brain by rejuvenating microglia.
San Diego Man Pleads Guilty To Kicking Protected Sea Lion At Beach
Tyler Muehl, 18, pleaded guilty Thursday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act when he repeatedly kicked the animal as it tried to get away.
The Moon Will Glow Copper Red During a Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse in Late August 2026
Learn how and when to watch the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27 and 28, 2026, when much of the moon may glow a rusty copper red.
Covid-19 Can Reawaken Dormant Viruses in the Body, Which Might Worsen Symptoms of the Respiratory Illness, Study Suggests
Most people carry a sleeping virus in their bodies, such as the herpesvirus that causes mononucleosis, or the “kissing disease.”
A Medieval Man’s Injuries Reminded One Archaeologist of Modern-Day Car Crash Victims. They Turned Out to Be the Work of an English Trebuchet
A skeleton unearthed in Scotland likely belongs to a soldier struck by a high-speed projectile during Edward I’s 1304 siege of Stirling Castle.
Schlitz Beer, an Iconic Midwestern Pour, Runs Dry in Chicago After 177 Years. Its Legacy, However, Goes Far Beyond the Pint Glass
With significant roles in the Great Chicago Fire, 1893 World’s Fair and modern-day architecture,
How a brutal drought may have helped unleash yellow fever in Brazil
Animals searching for water brought the forest to the city, perhaps sparking Brazil’s first yellow fever outbreak in decades.
These terrifying (and wacky) birds ruled Earth after the dinosaurs
We tend to think that mammals took over after an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, but for millions of years,
Different Mosquito Species Prefer to Bite Specific People, Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacterium Causes 5 Deaths, and a New Ice Age Toad Species
Discover the top stories from Aug. 8 to Aug. 14, 2026, including why mosquitoes may or may not bite you and an update on the deadly flesh-eating bacterium outbreak.
‘Lanterns’ Review: DC’s Attempt At Grounded Sci-Fi Is An Overwrought Misfire
DC's Green Lantern origin story sinks when it could have soared.
‘Full-on berserker mode’: Archaeologists solve mystery of medieval soldiers with gruesome square holes in their skull
A new analysis of skulls from a 14th-century battle in Sweden reveals a spiked club inflicted the death blow.
A light-based scan could detect deadly bowel disease in preterm babies
Necrotizing enterocolitis strikes premature babies with almost no warning. A new approach aims to detect it early with a quick, low-risk scan.
MouthPad lets your tongue control a computer
The MouthPad is a custom-fit hands-free touchpad that sits inside your mouth, letting you control a cursor with your tongue or head movements.
Astronomers Peered at the Early Universe and May Have Discovered a New Kind of Celestial Object: Black Hole Stars
Since the James Webb Space Telescope started collecting data in 2022, it has found puzzling objects dubbed little red dots.
Mining Claims Staked on Land Cut From Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Monuments
Prospectors are eyeing mineral deposits within the former boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah.
Nero’s Bridge Emerges From Tiber River Thanks To Lingering Drought In Rome
Exceptionally low water levels have exposed parts of the historic structure near St. Peter’s Basilica.
Why Europe Keeps Being Pummeled by Heat Waves
The whole planet is warming, but changes in weather patterns could help explain why the continent is suffering so many bouts of severe heat.
Historic Submarine Restoration Reveals a Hidden Connection to a Lost Sister Ship That Sank During World War II
Experts working on the USS “Silversides” found a flood valve that appears to have been destined for its sister ship, the USS “Trigger.”
Scientists hope to shed light on young universe by using far side of the moon
UK team seeking to put suitcase-sized satellite in orbit around moon in search for 21cm line radio frequency signal
Marvel’s Wolverine Is Hiding A Reimagined Villain In Plain Sight
Details from a 90-minute press demo for Marvel's Wolverine have emerged, and they hint at a unique take on a classic X-Men antagonist.
These are the best (and worst) ways to get your protein, says Cambridge scientist
Tofu has been crowned the prince of protein by a scientific scoring system that measured human health, sustainability and affordability.
Here’s Why These Male Spiders Sacrifice Themselves by Somersaulting Into Females’ Fangs While Mating
A new study suggest that even strange,
Immune cells flood into the aging brain, Stanford scientists discover
Scientists have discovered that the aging human brain may be far less isolated from the rest of the body than once believed. Stanford researchers found that large numbers of immune cells from the blood begin entering the brain as early as middle age, where they can transform into microglia, the brain’s specialized immune cells. The finding overturns a long-standing assumption that these cells remain largely separate from the body’s immune system throughout life.
Scientists detect a nuclear reactor’s ghostly afterglow for the first time
Nuclear reactors may go dark, but their fuel continues producing a faint antineutrino “glow” long after shutdown. Researchers have now detected that residual signal for the first time, finding it closely matched predictions of radioactive decay inside the reactor and nearby spent-fuel pools. The breakthrough suggests antineutrino detectors could eventually monitor reactors even when they are offline.
Rare belching disorder could be treated with singing, study hints — but not everyone is convinced
A strange-sounding treatment may offer relief for people with a little-understood type of excessive belching.
18 Years Later, The Creator Of ‘The X-Files’ Reveals His Secret To Writing Mulder And Scully
'The X-Files' creator Chris Carter talks about revisiting Mulder and Scully, his new movie, and the director's cut of 'I Want to Believe,' 'Vrach Frankenshteyn.'
A photographic memory is wishful thinking
In fiction, photographic memories crack the case or save the day. But our brains can’t hold on to everything — and that’s a good thing.
Marine Biologists Solved a Wildlife Mystery From the Walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge: How the Harbor Porpoise Mates
The dolphin-like marine mammals returned to San Francisco Bay in 2008 after a decades-long absence from the area.
World’s first superconducting quantum heat engine could help unlock massive quantum computers
A tiny superconducting engine has successfully converted heat near absolute zero into useful work, demonstrating the first cyclic quantum heat engine of its kind. Future versions could operate autonomously inside quantum computers, potentially eliminating huge numbers of costly, noise-producing microwave cables.
Taking the stairs could protect your heart and help you live longer
Simply choosing the stairs could have surprisingly big benefits for your heart and longevity. A large analysis involving more than 480,000 people found that regular stair climbers were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 24% less likely to die from any cause than people who rarely took the stairs. They also had lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
40 Years Ago, An Overlooked Masterpiece Changed The Face Of Serial-Killer Movies
Michael Mann's 'Manhunter' took Thomas Harris' popular novel and elevated it into art.
The Download: Flock’s new rules, cloning’s future, and children’s cells
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Flock is tightening its rules in response to a growing surveillance backlash The police-tech giant Flock is changing officers’ access to its nationwide network of license plate readers.
Blue Origin outlines plans for second Cape Canaveral launch pad
Blue Origin disclosed new details about its plans to not only rebuild but also expand its Florida launch site, adding a second pad for a larger version of New Glenn.
I’m a neuroscientist. Here’s why our brains need pop concerts | Bala Subramaniam
Attending a Nick Jonas show with my kids was an invitation to ‘collective effervescence’.
Best Wireless Chargers (2026): My Picks After Testing 100+
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.
‘The lance head was still inside the pelvis’: Mass grave found in Austria may hold casualties of unknown ancient Roman battle
A new analysis of skeletons recovered from an ancient mass burial has revealed a surprising number of groin injuries.
A stress hormone may help the brain repair itself
A surprising stress-related signal may help the brain repair itself after injury. Researchers found that myelin-producing precursor cells rapidly release the stress hormone CRH near damaged brain tissue, helping control how those cells mature and rebuild protective nerve insulation. The same system also influences brain development and the thickness of myelin later in life. The findings could offer new clues about how early-life stress contributes to psychiatric disorders.
Women taking estrogen had fewer signs of Alzheimer’s in their brains
Women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy later in life were less likely to develop dementia and showed fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains, according to a large study of more than 21,000 participants. Hormone therapy use was linked to 39% lower odds of a dementia diagnosis and 35% lower odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain changes at autopsy, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Biomarker tests also suggested less amyloid buildup among hormone therapy users.
FTC Strikes Deals to Ignore Unlawful Credit Discrimination
The agency signed agreements to not enforce parts of three federal court orders against auto dealers accused of discrimination—and didn’t notify judges or at least one of its coplaintiffs.
