All Science
First LookWill quantum computing kick off an encryption revolution?A quantum computer, made of five atoms, has managed to solve a simple factoring problem. With the potential to expand the principles to solve much more complex problems, this breakthrough is likely to shake the world of encryption to its core.
Critique of landmark study: Psychology may not face replicability crisis after allA study published last year suggested psychological research was facing a replication crisis, but a new paper says that work was erroneous.
Why is Greenland's ice sheet getting 'darker'?In a study that used satellite images stretching back decades, scientists have delved into the processes causing 'darkening' of the Greenland ice sheet – its diminishing ability to reflect the sun's radiation.
These beetles waterski, scientists say. How do they do it?Waterlily leaf beetles don't have to lift off the water to move around a pond. Instead, they can use their wings to propel along the surface of the water as if waterskiing.
World's oldest terrestrial fossil is a fungus, scientist says.British paleontologist Martin Smith uncovered the role of the Tortotubus fungus in preparing Earth's dry lands for life.
This new robot skin can glow, stretch – and walkA newly developed artificial skin can both sense and respond to pressure or touch, and it could represent a more human future for robotics.
First LookAstronomers spot glimmer of a galaxy that dates back to universe's infancyUsing a technique that has raised some skepticism among rival scientists, astronomers say they’ve identified a galaxy from a time when the universe was only about 400 million years old.
Water may have had a much longer history on Mars than we thoughtIn this week's Nature paper, scientists calculate that Mars had the conditions for flowing water for a much longer time period than expected, which suggests that life could have had ample time to form there.
First LookFollowing historic year in space, Scott Kelly relishes fresh air, salad, and a cool dipAstronaut Scott Kelly returned to Earth on Wednesday, describing feeling the fresh, frigid air of Kazakhstan as 'amazing' before he returned home to Houston. NASA testing of the Kelly twins continues.
Middle Saxon site unearthed in eastern BritainA surprising find by a local metal detectorist led archeologists from the University of Sheffield to excavate a historical site of 'international importance.'
Why is the deepest part of the ocean so noisy?A hydrophone, or underwater microphone, spent almost a month in the deepest part of the ocean and recorded some surprising sounds.
First LookFor Everglade wading birds, security comes at a high costLong-legged egrets, herons, and ibises have long relied on their reptilian neighbors for security. Now scientists are learning what alligators get out of the deal.
First LookMystery of cosmic radio bursts grows even more intriguingSince they were first discovered, bursts of radio waves from outer space have been documented as isolated events. But now, a group of astronomers have found the first series of identical bursts.
This tiny dragonfly migrates the longest distance of any insectNew research suggests that Pantala flavescens, a dragonfly barely an inch and a half long, is migrating across oceans and between continents, overtaking the monarch butterfly as the insect that migrates the farthest.
Spurred by climate change, Middle East faces worst drought in 900 yearsTree ring analysis from Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Turkey show signs that the region's recent drought is the worst in almost a millennium.
Astronomers detect repeating fast radio burst. What's causing these FRBs?In what is being called a 'fantastic observation, ' astronomers say they have spotted a fast radio burst that seems to repeat.
How is astronaut Scott Kelly adjusting to gravity after a year in space?Scott Kelly is back from a 340-day mission aboard the International Space Station. How is he coping with life back on the planet's surface?
- Under the Sea: How much do you know about our watery planet? Take our quiz!
The ocean is a watery and wonderful place. How much do you know about it?
Can mummies talk? Scientists find out.A team of Italian researchers is building a model of a 5,300-year-old mummy's vocal tract.
What delayed SpaceX's launch this time?Elon Musk's space supply ship will try again to blast off late this week.
