What the season of fall – and science – teaches us about life and death
With fall almost upon us, there's a lot we can learn from the changing season.
September 19, 2018
557
Technology
In 1968, computers got personal: How the 'mother of all demos' changed the world
A 90-minute presentation in 1968 showed off the earliest desktop computer system. In the process it introduced the idea…
September 17, 2018
676
How the zebrafish got its stripes
Zebrafish are known for their black and gold stripes, but researchers are still figuring out how pigment cells interact…
September 17, 2018
500
Digitizing the vast 'dark data' in museum fossil collections
A tiny percentage of museums’ natural history holdings are on display. Very little of these vast archives is digitized…
September 17, 2018
522
Could coal ash be a viable source of rare-earth metals?
Questions about supplies of rare-earth elements, crucial in high-tech devices, pushed researchers to look to industrial…
September 14, 2018
572
Magnetic bacteria and their unique superpower attract researchers
These single-celled organisms naturally respond to the Earth's weak magnetic field. Scientists are untangling how it…
September 13, 2018
528
Why we love robotic dogs, puppets and dolls
An expert argues our connection with these figures is longstanding. They are embedded in our myths and help us explore deeper…
September 13, 2018
962
Why the Russians might hack the Boy Scouts next
Russia is trying to create social tension in the US to boost its own strength on the world stage. That includes targeting…
September 13, 2018
565
Savvy social media strategies boost anti-establishment political wins
Effective political campaigns use three main online strategies; research identifies which of them is most effective.
September 12, 2018
540
Welcome to the new Meghalayan age – here's how it fits with the rest of Earth's geologic history
2018 brought the announcement of a new geologic age that covers the last 4,200 years. How do scientists divide up Earth's…
September 11, 2018
523
Insects were not what my girlfriends wanted to study, until we 'met' Dana Scully
When 'The X-Files' launched 25 years ago, many women were inspired by Dr. Dana Scully to pursue science – a phenomenon…
September 10, 2018
519
Ten years of Large Hadron Collider discoveries are just the start of decoding the universe
The Large Hadron Collider has generated mind-blowing science in the last decade – including the Higgs boson particle.…
September 7, 2018
556
Key internet connections and locations at risk from rising seas
Comparing the locations of key internet data centers and cable routes with maps of expected sea-level rise suggests it's…
September 7, 2018
514
Discovering the ancient origin of cystic fibrosis, the most common genetic disease in Caucasians
Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic disease among Caucasians. Now scientists believe they have discovered the origin…
September 7, 2018
559
4 ways to defend democracy and protect every voter's ballot
Ensuring the integrity of democratic elections from hackers and electronic tampering, and boosting public confidence in…
September 6, 2018
517
Lesson from Brazil: Museums are not forever
It's a comforting falsehood that once an artifact joins a museum's collection, it's safe for eternity. Museums…
September 5, 2018
518
Propaganda-spewing Russian trolls act differently online from regular people
Some behaviors might help tell propaganda-spewing trolls apart from regular internet users, but the main protection is for…
September 5, 2018
620
Why plant-based mosquito repellents are so hard to design
Bug sprays with DEET feel oily and smell gross. That's why scientists are developing new mosquito repellents based on…
September 4, 2018
541
How will Google's innovation continue beyond its 20th year?
As Google turns 20, a look at how the company has grown – and what the next two decades might bring for the company.
September 4, 2018
673
Google News serves conservatives and liberals similar results, but favors mainstream media
Google News does not differentiate search results according to users' politics – but it does favor mainstream news…
August 31, 2018
515