All Science Notebook
First LookWhy Mercury's transit across the sun is so specialThe littlest planet's journey isn't just a rare viewing opportunity for astronomers and amateur skywatchers.
First LookRussia launches first rocket from troubled new cosmodromeThe launch is a point of success for Russia's challenged space industry.
First LookHow Hertha Marks Ayrton made ripples in math and women's rightsThe influential mathematician and scientist was also a prominent figure in the British suffrage movement and a staunch advocate for women's work to receive due credit.
Animal smarts: A Q&A with primatologist Frans de WaalIn an interview, the famed Dutch biologist discusses themes of animal cognition, empathy, and morality – subjects he explores in his newest book, "Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?"
Menu miscue: Yale study prompts mammoth newspaper correctionIn 1951, we reported that members of the Explorers Club dined on a 250,000-year-old extinct mammoth. Science has proven us wrong.
How computers are getting better at detecting liarsA group of researchers have developed new lie-detecting software, and it doesn't involve being hooked up to a polygraph machine.
Commentary: 'Trust but verify' should be a motto of Paris climate talksThe success of the COP21 talks will hinge on the creation of a transparency-and-review mechanism to ensure that countries are meeting their voluntary emissions-reduction targets.
NASA and 'The Martian' partner to make space 'cool' – and accurateRidley Scott partnered with NASA scientists to make 'The Martian' as realistic as possible. 'The more that happened, the more I got excited,' says NASA's Jim Green.
Supermoon: When and where to see itThis weekend the moon will reach its full phase while also nearing its closest point to Earth in its orbit, creating views of a 'supermoon.'
A year in a bubble: NASA begins most ambitious Mars-analog mission yetA team of six NASA scientists begin a 365-day isolation experiment simulating life on Mars. How soon will a crewed mission be a reality?
Rare (and adorable!) snow leopard cubs born at Chicago zooChicago's Brookfield Zoo has released the first images of two rare snow leopard cubs, born in June.
First LookNational Zoo keepers 'ecstatic' as surviving panda cub growsA week after twin giant panda cubs were born in the US National Zoo, one cub has died but the other is growing healthily. Researchers believe his birth will help the future insemination of giant pandas.
Sumatran rhino extinct in Malaysia: How can the species survive?Loss of habitat and poaching for rhino horns have wiped out the Sumatran rhinoceros from its primary habitat – the wilds of Malaysia – but about 100 still live in Indonesia, say researchers.
Virginia Beach bioluminescence: What's lighting up the water?Virginia Beach surfers and beach-goers witnessed a bioluminescence light show Friday night. What caused it and will it last?
Rosetta and comet 67P approach their rendezvous with the SunComet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko will reach its closest point to the Sun in its 6.5-year orbit on Aug. 13, 2015, accompanied by the Rosetta spacecraft.
Water strider robot: This bug-inspired bot can hop on waterTaking cues from the water strider, researchers have developed a robotic insect capable of walking on – and launching itself from – the water’s surface.
Climate change trifecta exacerbates urban, coastal floodingStorm surge, high rainfall, and rising sea levels put low-lying US coastal cities at risk of devastating floods, researchers say.
T. rex's nine-inch, serrated teeth: A dentist's dream or nightmare?New research found that unique serrations make Tyrannosaurus teeth highly resistant to damage, thus helping the dinosaur and its relatives secure their place at the top of the prehistoric food chain.
Musk, Hawking, Chomsky: Why they want a ban on killer robots.Leading researchers in robotics and artificial intelligence signed an open letter, published Monday, calling for a preemptive ban on autonomous offensive weapons.
Reboot the suit: With $500,000 pledged, Smithsonian sets sights even higherThe Smithsonian Institute's crowdfunding campaign to preserve the spacesuit worn by Neil Armstrong raked in $500,000 in just five days, and now the organizers are setting their sights even higher.
