Physicist does the math on Star Trek’s “Picard maneuver”
It turns out Jean-Luc Picard was an even better starship helmsman than the writers knew. A physicist has gone through the details of a warp-speed trick from the first season…
A Satellite Falling Out of Orbit Embarks on Its Final Mission
Before reentering our atmosphere, the telescopes onboard NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory have been restarted to take their last observations.
When it comes to Beatles references, scientists can't let it be
Scientists have an indisputable playful side, evidenced by frequent allusions to popular culture in their research publications. That includes popular song lyrics. And the most popular musical group, in terms…
Google's AI genome system evaluates every possible one-base change
On Tuesday, Google announced AlphaGenome Atlas, a resource that attempts to predict the consequences of every possible single-base variant in the human genome. The human genome is about 3 billion…
NOAA is putting commercial fishing ahead of conservation
In July, the Trump administration relegated endangered leatherback turtles, sea lions, and whales to mere collateral damage in its race to profit from the oceans. Now, fisheries science is in…
Why we're still looking for dark matter
When physicists said they may have spotted evidence of dark matter almost 100 years after it was proposed as a theory, the internet lit up. Here’s why we’re searching for…
This Is the Biggest 2D Map of the Universe. Here’s How to Use It
The map covers 75% of the sky, and you can explore all sorts of cool celestial objects once you know where to look.
A New Startup Lets You Freeze Your Eggs For Free. But Is Anything Ever Free?
Cofertility manages the costs of egg freezing and storage, in exchange for half the batch. One young client became suspicious of the arrangement—and started to investigate.
Conspiracy theories can provide answers but not peace
Twenty-five years after 9/11, conspiracy theories about the terrorist attacks persist. But even as an attempt to make sense of a tragedy, psychologists say the benefit in conspiracy ideation or…
Cockroach Milk, How to Blow Your Nose, and Mosquito Printers: The Ig Nobels of 2026
Every year, the prizes recognize the weirdest research that often raises some very serious scientific questions.
EcoFlow makes the miniature power station even smaller
The River 260 Gen4 (on the table) powering a portable fridge, Starlink Mini, and charging a phone. | Image: EcoFlow If you’re in the market for a tiny power station…
Two of the Universe's Great Mysteries May Have Their Own Dimension
Dark energy might be getting weaker. Scientists are wondering if interactions with dark matter in a “dark dimension” may be responsible.
Astronomers Have Completed the Largest Map of Space. Yes, You Can Play With It.
The intricate, 5.6 trillion-pixel map covers approximately 75 percent of the sky and includes about 4 billion celestial objects.
Plastics Companies Are Writing Lesson Plans. What Could Go Wrong?
The science curriculum the industry is offering to schools casts plastics as safe, recyclable, and a source of good jobs. Critics say it’s propaganda.
The Meteorology Of The Volleyball Condensation Delay At Wrigley Field
How condensation derailed a historic volleuyball match in Wrigley Field.