NYT > Science
Articles about NYT > Science
How a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires
Loggers are finding it impossible to profitably harvest some federal forests. That leaves more fuel for fires to accumulate.
What Can Four-Winged Dinosaurs Teach Us About Birds?
Flight was probably more widespread in dinosaurs than previously thought. A newly identified species sheds light on how some achieved liftoff.
There’s Worlds Out There More Habitable Than Earth
Scientists believe there are planets outside our solar system where life is even more abundant and sustainable.
How Do Cuttlefish Hide? Scientists Search for the Secret to Camouflage
Cephalopods are masters of camouflage. Scientists want to decipher how the process works in the brain.
Who Were the Vikings? 21 Graves Weave a Tale of Hunters, Nomads and Sorceresses
“The Sea-King and the Sorceress” examines the lives and deaths of the diverse people who called themselves Vikings.
New York City’s Latest Famous Family Is a Hoot. Yes, They’re Barn Owls
The city’s latest feathered extraordinaires are captivating the Upper West Side with their screeches.
Why Ketamine Immobilizes Some Users
Potent powders can produce a nearly catatonic state, particularly in those who have not tried the drug before.
Mathematician Who Waited 50 Years for Proper Credit for Her Work Has Died
At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Mary Tsingou Menzel’s computer programming helped set the stage for chaos theory and other fields.
Will We Ever Understand Dementia?
Since the days of Dr. Alzheimer himself, there has been a dream that severe senility might have an explanation — and a cure. The search for both has never been more urgent.
The Underappreciated Benefits of Leaving Fallen Leaves Alone
To homeowners, fallen leaves look like work. To nature, they’re an investment, with tremendous value on the secondary market as invertebrate real estate.
Big Controversy Upends a Contest About Microscopic Videos
Nikon announced that it had disqualified the winner of its Small World in Motion competition over how A.I. was used in his submission.
Cancer Vaccines Are the N.I.H’s Next ‘Big Bet’
New details have emerged about an initiative that starts in December to fast-track the vaccines, similar to the successful push for the Covid-19 vaccine.
What Are the Remaining Millennium Prize Problems?
OpenAI’s trove of new math results doesn’t fully solve any of these highly prestigious open questions, but it seems to make progress on some.
‘Breathtaking,’ ‘Devastating’: Mathematics Reels After New OpenAI Release
Hundreds of new A.I.-generated findings moved the frontiers of higher math in a single day — dispelling any doubt that the field is forever changed.
The National Hurricane Center’s Boss Keeps an Eye on the Storms
The director, Michael Brennan, oversees 45 federal workers, including hurricane specialists and meteorologists.
As Flood Risk Increases in Himalayas, Nepal Builds More in Vulnerable Areas
The total footprint of buildings along flood-prone riverbanks in the Himalayas grew by half in recent years, a study found.
For Two Sisters, a “Biological Age Test” Measured More Than Their DNA
They thought it might explain why their health had diverged. Instead, it stirred up feelings that weren’t so easily quantified.
Margaret Hamilton, Whose Software Guided the Apollo Missions, Has Died
Margaret Hamilton, the first female programmer hired to work on the space project at M.I.T., was 90.
RFK Jr. Plans Vaccine Injury Initiative, Drawing Wary Eye From Experts
Vaccine safety experts say more research into the side effects would be welcome yet question whether the health secretary’s effort will be grounded in science.
What Experts Want to Know About the Russia Plague Scare
Missing details about the death of a lab worker, including the cause, are worrying scientists.
A Public Health-Minded Senator Asks: What Comes After Trump and Kennedy?
Senator Patty Murray, a former chair of the Senate health committee, is forming a group of experts to examine how to insulate the C.D.C. from political interference.
Jonathan the Giant Tortoise Is 194 Years Old. He Just Had His Genome Sequenced
Scientists have sequenced his genome for the first time, hoping the world’s oldest land animal can offer clues into the genetics of longevity.
Was the Human Gut Healthier in Ancient Times?
The microbiome isn’t what it used to be in many parts of the world. The shift of species may be affecting the well-being of people in industrialized countries.
In Vienna and Beijing, the First Nuclear Clocks Begin to Tick
By measuring the squishing and unsquishing of thorium-229 nuclei, two teams created a new type of clock that could someday beat the precision of atomic clocks.
Russia Says It Found No ‘Emergency’ in Plague Lab
New information around the death of a lab worker, including a statement that she had been vaccinated against the plague, came as U.S. officials demanded more data.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
The Nobel Committee recognized them for “the discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”
The Start-Up That Wants to Build ‘Microrobots’ With A.I
Atomic Machines is training artificial intelligence on materials and designs — and then using it to build tiny physical devices.
OpenAI Releases Findings on 377 Math Problems, Further Roiling Field
After a previous solution angered mathematicians, the company characterized the new release as being more responsive to concerns about A.I. disrupting research.
Supreme Court Hears Boulder Climate Case
Monday’s arguments were highly technical. A decision about whether the case could move forward isn’t expected until June or July.
Nobel Prize in Physics Is Awarded to Francis Halzen
The Nobel was awarded “for the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.
Why Cities and States Are Fighting Climate Change in Courtrooms
Faced with a president who has called global warming a hoax, officials have filed dozens of suits against oil companies to try to cover the costs of extreme weather.
Texas Pediatricians Face Paxton Investigations for Vaccinating Children
Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate, has alleged a sprawling profit-driven conspiracy. Pediatricians say the accusations are an attempt at intimidation.
Scientists Warn of Another Unseen Risk From Fire: Ozone
Small particulates sent up by wildfires are a well-documented health hazard. But recent research finds that ground-level ozone is now on the rise, too.
F.D.A. Found Cyclospora During Taylor Farms Inspection in Mexico
The discovery adds strong evidence that the outbreak that sickened thousands over the summer originated in the company’s fields or processing facility in northeastern Mexico.
The MacArthur ‘Genius’ Studying Sea Ice Secrets
A climate scientist was one of 20 recipients of a “no-strings-attached” $800,000 stipend.
Prosecutors Cannot Revive Reflecting Pool Case Against Ex-Olympian, Judge Rules
A charge against David Hearn was dismissed “with prejudice” because of President Trump’s attempts to influence the case.
A Hacking Competition Shows the Power of China’s ‘Open Weight’ A.I
The winner of an elite cybersecurity contest prevailed by relying on a free Chinese model — another sign that available A.I. systems could already be too powerful to easily regulate.
Clues to Why a Breakthrough Pancreatic Cancer Drug Eventually Stops Working
Researchers are asking why patients, like former Senator Ben Sasse, inevitably develop resistance to the drug daraxonrasib.
A Viper That Caused Alarm in California Was A.I.-Generated
A Gaboon viper, a venomous snake native to equatorial regions of Africa, was supposedly photographed in a tree in Santa Ana, Calif. How could that be? Well, it turns out it wasn’t.
New Cancer Drugs Are Revolutionary. Why Don’t More Patients Get Them?
Targeted gene therapies are highly effective at stopping cancers, but the very abundance of the treatments, plus cost and sluggish change, are hindering access.
Tennessee Valley Authority Gets Approval to Build Small Nuclear Reactor
It’s only the second time that American regulators have approved a next-generation commercial reactor for construction. Big hurdles remain.
What If A.D.H.D. Isn’t About Attention at All?
Evidence suggests that it really affects what psychiatrists like me call sustained engagement — an important difference in understanding how to think about the condition.
Radio Waves Coming From an Alien Planet May Be a Cosmic First
Beta Pictoris b appears to have an aurora caused by a powerful magnetic field. If confirmed, it would be the first such field known outside our solar system.
Despite Setbacks, NASA Gives Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft a Boost
A previous mission left two astronauts stuck in space for months. Still, the space agency is investing $359 million to keep the craft flying.
The Coal Industry Asked for a Rescue. Trump Obliged
In a previously unreported letter, a top lobbyist floated the idea of using emergency powers to keep aging coal plants open.
Judge Blocks FEMA From Tying Antiterrorism Grants to Election Changes
The Trump administration had threatened to withhold some Homeland Security money unless states explored paper balloting and citizenship verification.
Did Anthropic’s A.I. Really Make a Scientific Discovery on Its Own?
An expert at the University of Copenhagen said his team had been sharing its research with the company’s A.I. model, Claude, and that its new finding matched their work.
Dogs Will Fight Bears. But Not Because of the Reason You Might Think
Scientists analyzed hundreds of encounters between bears and canines. The results raise the suggestion that dogs may not always protect people in the wild.
California Needs Water. El Niño Might Bring Too Much
The drought-stricken state has improved its ability to collect and store rainwater. But many gallons may still rush into the Pacific.
‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission
The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.
In an $80 Motel Room, a Discovery to Shed Light on the Origins of Life
A scrappy science project led to a significant discovery: two new species of a rare organism that could elucidate a fundamental transition in the history of life on our planet.
Four Beluga Whales Die Weeks After Major Rescue Mission
The belugas were among 30 whales transferred to aquariums in the United States and Spain from a closed marine attraction in Canada.
Byron Sher, Early Environmental Warrior in California, Dies at 98
A congenial legislator with a professorial air, he won battles through charm, not pugilism, passing laws to protect drinking water, redwood forests and clean air.
A Second Judge Strikes Down New York’s Climate ‘Superfund’ Law
A federal judge ruled that the new law, which would force fossil fuel companies to pay $75 billion to help cover the costs of climate change, was unconstitutional.
Salmon Are Thriving After Klamath Dam Removals, Study Finds
The first fall runs of chinook salmon since the project in California and Oregon was completed have surpassed researchers’ expectations.
Trump Backtracks on Plan for New Controls on N.I.H. Grants
Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.
Trump’s Energy Secretary Dismisses Reports of Diesel Export Ban, Criticizes Solar Power
Chris Wright also doubled down on his criticism of renewable energy sources like solar power.
Judge Dismisses Unusual Climate Suit Claiming Oil Giants Broke Antitrust Law
The lawsuit, filed by Michigan, claimed oil companies colluded to obstruct solar power and to misrepresent climate risks, making energy costlier.
Texas Halts Data Center Permits, Expanding Environmental Scrutiny
Less than a year ago, Gov. Greg Abbott welcomed data centers. Now he is confronting concerns about the projects even among fellow Republicans.
$345 Million Verdict Against Greenpeace Should Be Overturned, Lawyers Say
A group of civil-rights and free-speech lawyers accused the judge of bias and “general incompetence.”
Mathematics Isn’t Just a Game to Let A.I. Solve. History Shows Why
In our field of applied mathematics, the long, human process of trial and error — not just the solutions themselves — is often what has led to progress.
Sadness and Suicidal Behavior Among Teenagers Is Declining, C.D.C. Finds
A national survey has found that key mental health measures for teenagers have significantly improved from their worst levels during the pandemic.
Judge Allows Transfer of Land in Wildlife Refuge to SpaceX, for Now
The ruling clears a path for a land swap deal that would expand Elon Musk’s Starbase launch site in South Texas.
Are A.I. Models Being Misled to Act Too Human?
A corporate spat between two tech giants last week was just the latest volley in a conflict over whether dangerous mistakes are being made in A.I. training.
What a Massive New Crater Means for Future Moon Bases
At a whopping 728 feet wide, the newfound basin hints at the risks that impact events may pose to planned human outposts.
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
Archaeologists Decode Rules of an Ancient Roman Board Game
They scanned the pattern of microscopic imperfections on an ancient limestone slab, and used A.I. to figure out how a game might have been played.
Creating a Kill Switch to Shut Down a Rogue A.I. Is Harder Than It Sounds
A bipartisan group in Congress and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California have floated ideas for building a mechanism that would instantly power down an A.I. system. Only no one really knows how.
Video Shows a San Diego Dog Seeming to Greet an Intruder. Why Didn’t He Bark?
Dog behavior experts offered a variety of explanations for why Nash the golden retriever wagged his tail and carried a toy near a man who broke into his owner’s home.
New Species of Cat Discovered for First Time in a Century
The species, called a tilcayo, is smaller than a house cat and lives in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia.
Will A.I. Kill Us? Can It Hack My Bank Account? Your A.I. Questions Answered
Nearly 1,000 readers sent us their questions about artificial intelligence, its potential and its potential risks.
NASA Telescope Helps Scientists Find a New Type of X-ray Object
The discovery of “hypersoft” X-ray beacons could help solve some mysteries about the universe.
Toxic Fracking Waste Becoming a Political Issue in Ohio
The Democratic candidate for governor backed restrictions on disposal of fracking wastewater around a hard-hit town, and called for a “thorough investigation” of the dangers.
What Happens When A.I. Stops Doing What Humans Want?
“Alignment” is the science of teaching A.I. to do what is in line with human preferences, ethics and judgment. But, at times, the systems have gone rogue.
A Feather Found in Dinosaur Poop Might Explain How Birds Beat Extinction
It’s the only example of a dinosaur-era feather found within rock that wasn’t completely flattened through the centuries.
Scientists Overhaul Giant Particle Collider in Search of Universe’s Hidden Building Blocks
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, will dismantle the Large Hadron Collider, which helped discover the so-called God Particle, in order to build a more powerful particle accelerator.
Trump Administration Moves to Gut a Core Endangered Species Protection
An internal memo reinterprets the law so that only the intentional killing of animals, not collateral harm, is illegal.
T. Rex, King of the Dinosaurs, Had a Body Temperature of 97 Degrees
Hotter than a crocodile, cooler than a chicken, T. Rex was definitely warm-blooded, according to a new study.
Massive Black Holes May Have Started as Little Red Dots
A new simulation suggests little red dots, unusually compact objects seen in photos from space, might be one stage in the evolution of black holes.
Google’s Simulated Fruit Fly Brain Did Not Write This Article
But models of the insect’s nervous system have been trained to solve a Rubik’s Cube, play video games and even parallel park a car.
A T. Rex Walked Here: Teacher Finds Rare Footprints in North Dakota
Kent Hups, a high school science teacher in Colorado, discovered a 23-foot trackway of fossilized dinosaur footprints, which offer a glimpse of how the apex predator moved 66 million years ago.
Disaster Survivors Sticking Together
We found grace, humanity and friendship in the stories of disparate Americans hit by climate chaos.
Harold Freeman, Who Helped Remove Barriers to Cancer Treatment, Dies at 93
He developed a program that became a model for hospitals around the world, making it easier for poor Black patients to navigate an onerous bureaucratic system.
FEMA Could Still Lose More Jobs Despite Court Ruling
A plan to halve the agency’s sprawling work force was illegal, a judge ruled. But the court is not blocking other FEMA cuts.
Exoplanets Offer Clues to What Lies Beyond Our Solar System
Thousands of planets have been discovered beyond our solar system, offering clues to where life might thrive and whether Earth is truly unique.
Whether Chemistry or the Cosmos, Always Looking at the Bigger Picture
The Times’s Science section is introducing new columns, projects and more as part of its online relaunch.
Do You Have Questions About A.I.? We Want to Answer Them
The New York Times is soliciting readers’ questions about the dangers — and benefits — posed by artificial intelligence.
An Armadillo Arrives in … Ohio?
Traditionally found in warm climates, like the American Southwest, armadillos have been migrating farther and farther north, researchers say.
U.S. Health Officials Move Quickly to Deploy Medical A.I. Despite Concerns
Federal projects are rolling out A.I. agents that offer therapy and prescribe medicine, raising concerns about safety and the influence of venture capital investors.
Global Warming Will Breach the 1.5 Degree Celsius Limit. Now What?
As global temperature increase shoots past 1.5 degrees Celsius, the vulnerable countries that fought for that Paris Agreement target face a brutal new reality.
A Mastodon Tooth Is Discovered in a California Creek
A researcher surveying a San Mateo County creek stumbled upon a preserved Pacific mastodon molar estimated to be at least 10,000 years old.