Planet Earth

Stunning tropical landscape of Madagascar highlands during a storm with a flash of lighting in the background.

Tropical tree in Panama has evolved to kill its 'enemies' with lightning

By Jacklin Kwan published

Tonka bean trees survive lightning strikes — and use the powerful electric shocks to kill their competitors.

Plants
an aerial view of a river

Scientists say these North American rivers 'shouldn't exist.' Here's why they do.

By Rebecca Dzombak, Eos.org published

At first glance, these waterways make no sense. A new review article details why they are the way they are.

Rivers & Oceans
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Space

colorful flashes of lightning can be seen among dense clouds

Rare colorful lightning caught on camera by ISS astronaut. 'OK, this is kind of out there'

By Brett Tingley published

NASA astronaut Don Pettit captured breathtaking video of a rare atmospheric phenomenon from his perch high above Earth on the International Space Station.

Astronomy
A photo of a bright green comet in space with a long tail

Amateur astronomer discovers bright green comet SWAN25F — and you can see it too

By Harry Baker published

Comet SWAN25F was discovered using photos from the European Space Agency's SOHO spacecraft and can currently be spied using backyard equipment — but it could also become visible to the naked eye in the next few weeks.

Comets
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archaeology

Plaster cast of a relief from the temple of Beit el-Wali

4,000-year-old burial of elite woman with ostrich fan reveals world's oldest known evidence of head straps

By Owen Jarus published

Around 4,000 years ago, women in Nubia were using tumplines, a form of head strap, to carry around goods and young children.

Archaeology
a reconstruction of a Russian warrior in battle gear with a bow and arrow

Stunning reconstruction reveals warrior from ancient Siberia

By Tom Metcalfe published

A new full-body reconstruction depicts a warrior wearing armor and holding weapons, all of which were found in a 4,000-year-old burial in Siberia.

Archaeology
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World of science

Health

An illustration of particles of the measles virus in red and white against a dark background.

US measles outbreak tops 600 cases — what to know about the disease

By Emily Cooke last updated

As measles outbreaks in the U.S. continue, here's what to know about how the disease spreads, what its symptoms are, and how to protect yourself and community from the illness.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 school-age children have died in Texas measles outbreak, as total cases pass 480

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Texas officials reported the death of a second school-age child in the state's ongoing measles outbreak.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

Years of 'confusion and debate' are over — research finds hormone therapy is good for women's hearts in early menopause

By Matthew Nudy published

A more nuanced understanding of hormone therapy now suggests that its benefits for heart health depend on how soon after menopause onset it is prescribed.

Ageing
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Animals

Cannibalistic spiderlings won't hunt their siblings even if they're starving

By Patrick Pester published

Social signals stop young labyrinth spiders from hunting their siblings even when they are starving. However, the cannibalistic spiderlings quickly feed on the corpses of their brothers and sisters.

Spiders
Illustration of a hunting scene with Pleistocene beasts including a mammoth against a backdrop of snowy mountains.

6 extinct species that scientists could bring back to life

By Sascha Pare last updated

De-extinction, the science of resurrecting extinct species, is progressing in leaps and bounds. Here are six creatures that researchers could bring back to life — and one they've already revived.

Extinct species
a group of scientists gather around a dissection table with a woolly mammoth baby

130,000-year-old baby mammoth goes under the knife

By Patrick Pester published

Researchers have performed a necropsy on a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth preserved in the Siberian permafrost.

Mammoths
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Human Behavior

Lego Ideas Motorized Lighthouse

Best Lego sets for adults 2025: Science, nature & engineering sets for curious minds

By Kim Snaith last updated

From sets celebrating architecture and famous art to clever designs, these are the best Lego sets for adults.

Arts & Entertainment

Science at a crossroads: Dispatches from Friday's 'Stand Up for Science' rallies across the US

By Kristina Killgrove, Nicoletta Lanese published

Our science journalists reported on the Stand Up for Science rallies held in New York City and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Politics

What counts as a phobia?

By Stephanie Pappas published

Specific phobias are out-of-proportion fears to objects, animals or situations, and fortunately, they can be treated.

Human Behavior
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Physics & Mathematics

An abstract illustration of lines and geometric shapes over a starry background

Scientists claim to find 'first observational evidence supporting string theory,' which could finally reveal the nature of dark energy

By Andrey Feldman published

Physicists have proposed a new model of space-time that may provide the 'first observational evidence supporting string theory,' a new preprint suggests.

Quantum Physics
Split image showing a robot telling lies and a satellite view of north america.

AI lies, 'dripping' North America and more.

By Pandora Dewan published

Science news this week April 5, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Science news this week
an abstract illustration with swirls of light around up and down arrows

Government scientists discover new state of matter that's 'half ice, half fire'

By Alan Bradley published

U.S. government scientists have developed a new phase of matter dubbed 'half ice, half fire,' which unites opposing electron spins in a unique magnet.

Physics & Mathematics
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Chemistry

Plastic waste by the ocean

Scientists break down cheap plastic using the air — and turn it into something far more valuable

By Ben Turner published

Scientists developed a new method for breaking down one of the most common plastics to a byproduct that can be upcycled into more valuable materials.

Chemistry
Digital generated image of solar panel with purple -blue reflection.

Nanoparticle breakthrough could bring 'holy grail' of solar power within reach

By Ben Turner published

Digital generated image of solar panel with purple-blue reflection.

Chemistry
Bouncing water drop

Scientists spot water molecules flipping before they split, and it could help them produce cheaper hydrogen fuel

By Ben Turner published

A photograph of a water droplet.

Chemistry
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Technology

HP Elitebook Ultra open screen on table.

HP EliteBook Ultra 14 G1q review: Fantastic in every way apart from its underwhelming screen

By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 G1q impresses thanks to its strong performance but its display has left us wanting.

Technology
Digital rendition of a four legged robot with a human on its back.

New 'robot horse' could one day take you up a mountain

By Jess Thomson published

Japanese engineers have unveiled a concept design of the Corleo, a four-legged robotic horse that could one day carry people across a vast range of terrains.

Robotics
Eufy P3 smart scales being tested by our reviewer

Eufy P3 smart scale review

By Maddy Biddulph published

REVIEW This midrange smart scale gives detailed health insights at an affordable price, but some of the tech is lacking.

REVIEW
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