Science

A scientific journal has retracted two papers published in the 1940s by Nobel laureate Max Planck, Ars Technica reports. The unusual move raises questions about how the historical scientific record is corrected.

A prototype high-tech jacket can pull drinking water from the air, producing up to 1.5 pints per day, researchers say. The wearable could offer a lifeline in arid regions and emergencies.

Astronomers say a newly studied interstellar comet is roughly 12 billion years old, making it older than our own solar system. The ancient visitor offers a rare window into the early galaxy.

Researchers report an injectable hydrogel made from silk and kudzu that achieved complete wound closure in laboratory tests. The material could point toward new approaches for treating difficult wounds.

NASA has launched a rescue mission to keep its Swift observatory from falling back to Earth as its orbit decays. The effort aims to preserve the long-running telescope's gamma-ray and transient astronomy work.

Scientists have identified a peptide-based alternative to antibiotics that could help combat the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis, offering a new line of defense against drug-resistant infections.

Fossils long stored in a museum drawer and labeled merely 'feline' turn out to belong to an ancient, enigmatic saber-toothed cat that lived in North America more than 5 million years ago. A UC Berkeley paleontologist says the nearly complete skull clarifies how these large-fanged predators evolved before going extinct.

The world's most powerful particle accelerator shuts down Monday for four years of renovations meant to dramatically boost its collision capacity. Scientists hope the upgrade will improve the hunt for dark matter, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the universe.

An international study led by Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Max Planck Institute found that the bond between humans and dogs is remarkably consistent across different societies. The cross-cultural research points to deep, shared roots in the relationship.

Scientists at Delft University of Technology, working with Waymo, developed a model that predicts split-second crash avoidance with humanlike accuracy. The research could help autonomous vehicles better anticipate how humans react in emergencies.

Scientists built a brain atlas of the lamprey, a jawless fish, to reveal what the first complex vertebrate brain may have looked like roughly 450 million years ago. The work offers a blueprint for understanding the evolution of vertebrate brains.

IEEE Spectrum examines how the growing use of AI in mathematics is forcing the field to confront fundamental questions about proof, creativity, and the role of machines in discovery. The piece weighs both promise and skepticism among mathematicians.

Drugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent tick-borne Lyme disease, and NPR asked hunters how it might fare in an era of vaccine skepticism. The reporting explores attitudes toward the vaccine among those most exposed to ticks.

The Stockholm3 blood test detected 90% of aggressive prostate cancer cases compared with 74% for standard PSA tests, in a study of more than 12,000 men in Sweden. Researchers say the test could improve early detection of the most dangerous tumors.

A new study found coal pollution has reached one of Earth's most remote mountain regions, underscoring how far industrial contaminants travel. The findings raise fresh concerns about the global reach of fossil-fuel emissions.

Italy's forest cover is now larger than its agricultural land for the first time since the Middle Ages, reflecting decades of farmland abandonment and reforestation. The shift reshapes the country's landscape and ecology.

A new reserve will protect 370,000 acres of rainforest and granite peaks in French Guiana, safeguarding a vast swath of biodiversity. The designation marks a significant conservation win in the Amazon region.

A unique double cochlear implant surgery in Australia let twins hear their mother's voice for the first time, together. The procedure marks a moving milestone in pediatric hearing restoration.

After years in the making, National Geographic's Museum of Exploration has opened to take visitors on an immersive adventure. The institution celebrates the history and future of discovery.

Scientists deciphered surviving fragments of a 2,000-year-old philosophical treatise carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The breakthrough adds to a wave of recovered ancient texts once thought lost forever.

Archaeologists discovered a lost Maya city deep in the Mexican jungle that may yield clues about the civilization just before its collapse. The find promises new insight into one of history's great unsolved declines.

Astronomers captured the most detailed visible-light photo of the Milky Way's heart ever taken, an image that will help in the hunt for exoplanets. The view offers an unprecedented window into our galaxy's crowded center.

New research suggests Uranus and Neptune may be hot magma worlds rather than the ice giants long assumed. The reinterpretation could reshape models of how the outer solar system formed.

Doctors who suspected a man had brain cancer discovered the lesions were actually parasitic worms. The unusual case underscores how rare infections can mimic far graver diagnoses.

Researchers discovered an antibiotic 'megacluster' that provides a new strategy for combating drug-resistant superbugs. The finding could open fresh avenues in the urgent fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Researchers have read an entire ancient Herculaneum scroll for the first time, using advanced AI-driven imaging to virtually unwrap the carbonized papyrus buried by Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. The breakthrough, achieved through the Vesuvius Challenge, opens the door to recovering a lost library of antiquity. Scholars call it a landmark moment for both computer science and classical studies.

NASA's Perseverance rover has driven the equivalent of a full marathon across the Martian surface, capping five extraordinary years of exploration. The achievement adds to its record of collecting samples and studying the Red Planet's geology. Mission scientists celebrated the milestone as a testament to the rover's durability.

Researchers have predicted seven exotic quantum phases in ultracold magnetic atoms, including the elusive topological superconductivity. These findings address the complexity of strongly interacting quantum particles, which are key to understanding magnetism and superconductivity. The prediction advances the frontier of modern physics, potentially leading to new materials with revolutionary properties.

Scientists have developed a new virtual metasurface capable of controlling light in ways traditional optics cannot, marking a potential game-changer for future imaging. This technology offers superior capabilities over current lens-based approaches, which rely on physical limitations of traditional materials. The development suggests a new era in optical engineering that could revolutionize medical imaging and telecommunications.

IBM has announced the creation of the world's first known chip technology operating below 1 nanometre, marking a historic breakthrough in semiconductor physics. While production readiness is still years away, this development signals a potential paradigm shift in computing power and energy efficiency. The achievement challenges current industry standards and opens new frontiers for miniaturization in consumer and industrial electronics.

A new system utilizing two thermal cameras has been launched to detect gray whales up to four miles away from ships in San Francisco Bay. This technology aims to provide vessels with sufficient warning time to slow down or alter course, thereby preventing collisions with marine mammals. The initiative represents a significant step in applying artificial intelligence to solve complex environmental protection challenges.

Researchers warn that place-specific strategies are crucial for adapting to increasing temperatures in remote towns across northern Australia. One-size-fits-all approaches to climate adaptation are failing, requiring tailored solutions to keep communities habitable. The study highlights the urgent need for localized infrastructure and policy changes to combat extreme heat.

Current research indicates that climate change is reducing the nutritional content of staple crops, exacerbating hidden hunger for billions of people worldwide. Scientists are turning to CRISPR gene-editing technology to prioritize high yield alongside nutritional density to combat these effects. This development is critical for ensuring global food security in a warming world.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has officially completed a special milestone by marking five years of operation on the Red Planet. The robotic science lab has covered 26.2 miles, demonstrating the durability and success of American space exploration technology over an extended mission. This achievement underscores the longevity of human ingenuity in exploring the cosmos despite the harsh Martian environment.

Researchers found that Australia's ban on social media for under-16s has had little impact on teenagers' scrolling habits. This early evaluation suggests that simply restricting access may not be sufficient to curb technology addiction or protect minors from online harms. The study implies a need for more comprehensive approaches to digital wellness and education.

A new international study found that Indigenous oral traditions, some thousands of years old, hold valuable insights into volcanic eruptions. These ancient stories offer important lessons for modern science that were previously overlooked in favor of purely geological data. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern science provides a more robust framework for predicting and mitigating volcanic hazards.

Scientists have shown that the stride length of the front legs of senior and geriatric dogs decreases as their cognitive performance worsens. This physical marker offers an early warning sign of dementia before behavioral symptoms become obvious. The discovery could lead to earlier interventions for pet owners and provide models for human neurodegenerative disease research.

A Yale University study suggests older individuals can improve over time in various senses depending on their mindset. The research highlights the importance of positive thinking in aging. This finding has implications for how we approach aging and mental health.

An analysis finds that NASA's recently canceled exploration programs were running significantly behind schedule, with contract values ballooning from $2.8 billion to $5.9 billion. The report suggests that the cancellations may have been financially prudent given the massive delays and cost overruns inherent in the projects. This finding could influence future federal spending on space exploration and defense contracts.

Researchers estimate that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS might be up to 12 billion years old based on the composition of gases it spews. This age is approximately three times the age of our solar system, suggesting the object formed in a previous generation of stars. The discovery provides a rare opportunity to study pristine material from the early universe as it passes through our neighborhood.

The space shuttle Endeavour is being readied for a dramatic vertical public display set for November. The towering exhibit will mount the orbiter as if poised for launch. It offers the public a final, stirring look at an icon of American spaceflight.

Scientists have built the world's first nuclear clocks, devices that keep time using the nucleus of an atom rather than its electrons. The breakthrough could open new ways to investigate dark matter and other deep mysteries of physics. It may also yield far more precise timekeeping than today's atomic clocks.

A new fossil study suggests early land animals skipped the tadpole phase that defines modern amphibians, reshaping ideas about how vertebrates moved onto land. The findings challenge assumptions about early developmental biology.

A new chloroplast study has revealed a molecular 'lock' that helps power photosynthesis, the process underpinning most life on Earth. The findings could inform efforts to boost crop yields and engineer more efficient plants.

Certain butterflies can live 25 times longer than their relatives, and researchers say they may offer insights into healthy aging in humans. The study explores the biological mechanisms behind their extended lifespans.

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare 'Stonehenge prototype' aligned with the solstices, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime find. The discovery sheds new light on how ancient peoples tracked the heavens.

NASA is launching a first-of-its-kind mission to save a space telescope that has observed the sky for nearly 22 years. The rescue effort aims to extend the life of a workhorse observatory facing the end of its operational lifespan.

Scientists used DNA to link the remains of a Revolutionary War Continental Army soldier to living relatives, more than two centuries after his death. The identification offers a poignant connection between America's founding era and present-day families.

New research suggests humans may have always possessed the latent ability to regenerate body parts, with scar tissue formation being the main obstacle. The findings could open avenues for novel regenerative therapies. Scientists are exploring how to unlock that dormant capacity.

Researchers may have uncovered the origins of the Euphrates River, the waterway that helped nurture some of the earliest known human civilizations. The findings shed new light on how the river shaped the cradle of civilization. The study adds to scientific understanding of the ancient Near East.