Science News: Recent scientific discoveries and expert analysis
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Oregon officials investigating 3 cases of mad cow-like disease
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Hood River County in Oregon reported three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare human brain disease very similar to "mad cow."

An ocean of magma formed early in Earth's history and it may still influence our planet today, study finds
By Stephanie Pappas published
Remnants of a liquid layer of magma near Earth's core, formed in the first few hundred million years of the planet's history, may still persist today as odd anomalies in the mantle.

Study of 9,000 twins reveals genetics influences how much you enjoy music
By Clarissa Brincat published
Genes affect different aspects of music enjoyment — from the emotional reactions that compositions evoke to the social connection music can foster.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation 'under threat' by Russia and China
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite constellation has become a prime target for Russia and China, according to a new report assessing the counterspace capabilities of a dozen countries over the past year.

Northern lights ignite night sky after rare double solar eruption
By Patrick Pester published
Solar eruptions created a northern lights display in North America and Europe overnight, with more auroras expected through Thursday.

Elusive colossal squid finally caught on camera 100 years after discovery in world 1st footage — and it's tiny
By Jess Thomson published
A colossal squid has been filmed in its natural habitat for the first time ever, a century after it was first identified by scientists.

Newly 'awakened' black hole is releasing 100 times more energy than scientists have seen before
By Elana Spivack published
The quasi-periodic eruptions of X-rays from a black hole 300 million light-years away are unlike any researchers have ever seen before.

The exceptionally rare disease that causes holes to form in your brain
By Emily Cooke last updated
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is an extremely rare and fatal brain-wasting disease that's like a human version of "mad cow."

The James Webb telescope reveals the truth about a planet that crashed into its own star
By Elana Spivack published
Scientists thought they saw a distant star swallow a planet for the first time ever. But new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest something very different, but equally rare, may have happened instead.

T. rex fossil trade hurting scientific research, study claims
By Patrick Pester published
A Tyrannosaurus rex researcher has found that there are now more scientifically valuable T. rex specimens in private or commercial ownership than in public museums, hampering research.

Trove of dinosaur footprints reveal Jurassic secrets on Isle of Skye where would-be Scottish king Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped
By Richard Pallardy published
Paleontologists have discovered tracks belonging to meat-eating theropods and long-necked sauropods on the Isle of Skye.

Zoo elephants form protective ring around young during California earthquake
By Patrick Pester published
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park's elephants raced to protect their calves with an "alert circle" when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Julian in Southern California.

Strange 'sea pigs,' sea spiders and a spawning 'butterfly' discovered on Antarctic ocean floor by scientists
By Jess Thomson published
Scientists on an icebreaker ship have captured a number of weird and wacky animals from Antarctica's ocean floor, including a bizarre pig-shaped creature.

Newly discovered comet SWAN just 'erupted' with a bright, icy burst. Is it a cold volcano?
By Harry Baker published
Photos show that comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) experienced a "major eruption," causing it to become temporarily brighter. However, it's still unclear whether the icy object is a true "cryovolcano."

What is quantum superposition?
By Jess Thomson last updated
Quantum superposition is a phenomenon in which a tiny particle can be in two states at the same time — but only if it is not being directly observed.

Watch creepy, humanlike robot twitch and clench fists in new video
By Jess Thomson published
Clone Robotics' Protoclone android can be seen flexing its bionic muscles in a new video, creepily jerking its limbs back and forth as it hangs from the ceiling.

Lyrid meteor shower peaks next week: How to spot the most 'shooting stars'
By Jamie Carter published
Up to 18 "shooting stars" per hour may be visible during the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower on April 21-22.

Inequality isn't inevitable in civilizations, 10,000 years of archaeological evidence reveals
By Ben Turner published
A study of 50,000 houses from the late Pleistocene to the onset of European colonialism has revealed that social inequality isn't inevitable, but rather a consequence of political choices.
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