New blood test detects ALS with 98% accuracy, offering hope for earlier diagnosis
Many patients with ALS die within three to five years of their symptoms starting, so early diagnosis of the disease is critical for treatment.
By Harry Baker published
New simulations reveal that there is an extremely small chance that the "city-killer" asteroid Apophis could be nudged onto a collision course with Earth by another asteroid before it flies past our planet in 2029.
By Harry Baker published
Newly released images of Mars reveal a "smiley" salt deposit on the Red Planet's surface. A related study suggests that similar deposits, which were left behind from ancient lakes, may be a good place to look for signs of former life on Mars.
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
A DNA analysis of 15 Rapa Nui individuals revealed that there was never a population collapse on Easter Island and that the inhabitants commingled with Native Americans.
By Kristina Killgrove published
Thorin — nicknamed after a dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" — is also called the "last Neanderthal" because he may have lived as recently as 42,000 years ago.
By Emily Cooke published
A new tool can reveal whether someone has a "healthy" gut microbiome with a simple score — but how does it work?
By Noemi Procopio, Lavinia Iancu published
Getting an accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provide critical information that the naked eye cannot.
By Emily Cooke published
New research suggests that hospitalized patients with flu who start taking Tamiflu the day they are admitted are 40% less likely to die within a month than those treated just days later.
By Mindy Weisberger last updated
Reference Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are near-microscopic animals that are extremely resilient.
By Olivia Ferrari published
Wild gorillas eat the same tree bark used by traditional healers, which can inhibit the growth of E. coli in petri dishes, according to a new study.
By Sierra Bouchér published
Three newfound thylacine relatives recently unearthed in Australia suggest that marsupial predators were more widespread in ancient Australia than previously thought.
By Ben Biggs last updated
Looking to inspire the next generation of curious minds? These are our picks of the best popular science books for children of all ages.
By Jim Lucas last updated
reference Centrifugal and centripetal are two closely related forces that describe circular motion, but the meanings are often mixed up.
By Tom Metcalfe published
The special chemistry of this shiny iron alloy creates a protective layer on its surface that prevents it from rusting.
By Jane McCallion published
Scientists in the U.S. have created a battery for electric cars that could be safer and offer better performance than the ones we have now thanks to a unique design.
By Skyler Ware published
Batteries used in smartphones or in EVs normally charge for 10 hours on their first cycle, but turbo-charging them to 100% capacity in 20 minutes may lead to a 50% longer lifespan.