General science news that spans multiple disciplines and research areas.
Pigeons lock their eyes in place when they are flying
Pigeons stabilize their eyes while flying by locking their gaze on fixed points in their environment, according to new research using bird-mounted tra…
'This might be the point of no return': Experts on the current measles outbreak and where we go from here
The U.S. faces an escalating measles crisis that experts describe as potentially reaching a critical juncture. Live Science interviewed researchers wh…
Killer robots are here – we must finally decide whether to accept them
Autonomous weapons systems have progressed beyond theoretical concern into operational reality, forcing governments and militaries to confront a decis…
Striking photos show how sands are encroaching on oases in the Sahara
Photographer Tommy Trenchard documented the struggle to preserve oases across Chad as encroaching Saharan sands threaten these vital ecosystems. The p…
Was life delivered to Earth by asteroids with a helping hand from Jupiter?
Researchers propose that Jupiter played a crucial role in delivering life's chemical building blocks to early Earth through asteroid delivery systems.…
Diagnostic dilemma: Viral infection caused woman not to recognize her own father
A woman lost the ability to recognize her father's face after contracting a viral infection, according to a case documented in the medical literature.…
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
Emily Rogalski, a neurologist at Northwestern University, studies "superagers" – people in their 80s and 90s who maintain sharp memories and cognitive…
Dangerously hot and humid: Rising temperatures in the US make outdoor exercise hazardous
Rising temperatures across the United States are making outdoor physical activity increasingly risky, with heat and humidity combining to impair athle…
Older LGBTQ+ people fear discrimination in housing and care settings, but one simple intervention is effective
Researchers at the Life House Impact Project have demonstrated that targeted staff training substantially improves care for older LGBTQ+ people in hou…
Watch a fireball burn a 300 mile path above the Midwest US (video)
A spectacular fireball streaked across the Midwest sky, traveling 300 miles in seconds before burning up in the atmosphere. Witnesses across multiple …
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
Scientists have discovered membraneless structures inside cells that appear to organize essential biological processes, challenging long-held assumpti…
Sperm have been made magnetic to allow IVF inside the body
Researchers have developed magnetic sperm that could transform in vitro fertilization by eliminating the need for surgical egg retrieval and embryo tr…
Atacama Desert’s center dried out 20 million years earlier than previously thought — before the Andes formed
Researchers have pushed back the timeline for the Atacama Desert's formation by 20 million years, revealing that South America's driest region began d…
A Waymo nearly hit me, but I'm still optimistic about driverless cars
# Cyclist's Close Call With Waymo Doesn't Shake Faith in Autonomous Vehicles Matthew Sparkes, a New Scientist journalist, nearly collided with a Waym…
Robots are about to overtake armed soldiers as the deciders of war
Unmanned ground vehicles are moving toward frontline combat roles, with Ukraine already testing remotely operated robots for defensive missions. These…
Diagnostic dilemma: Brain scans following a man's hospital visit for leg weakness revealed a surprising finding
A hospital visit for leg weakness uncovered an unexpected neurological finding: the patient's brain was abnormally small, according to reporting by Li…
'They are trying to tame nature': China is building the world's biggest dam in an earthquake-prone region of Tibet
China is constructing a massive hydroelectric dam complex in Tibet's earthquake-prone Yarlung Tsangpo region that will produce more electricity annual…
'Doctor Who' Christmas Special is cancelled as Russell T. Davies departs the show: What does this mean for the future of Doctor Who?
# Doctor Who Christmas Special Cancelled as Russell T. Davies Departs Russell T. Davies has stepped down as showrunner of Doctor Who, and the BBC has…
Jupiter and Venus looked spectacular in this week's planetary conjunction. Here are our favorite photos
# Jupiter and Venus Stage Celestial Close Encounter Venus and Jupiter moved into close proximity this week, creating a rare planetary conjunction vis…
Annular solar eclipse 2027: everything you need to know about the 'ring of fire' on Feb. 6
An annular solar eclipse will occur on February 6, 2027, creating a dramatic "ring of fire" effect across Earth's surface. During an annular eclipse, …
Do you really have to wash rice before you cook it?
# Should You Wash Rice Before Cooking? Science Weighs In Rice reaches more than half the world's population every day, yet a basic question divides h…
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
Memory lapses increase with age, but distinguishing between normal cognitive aging and early dementia remains challenging for both patients and clinic…
Half the world's reservoirs could be clogged up with dirt by 2060
Sedimentation is erasing freshwater storage capacity at an alarming rate. Researchers analyzing data from over 500,000 reservoirs worldwide found that…
Catch Mercury shining at its best on June 15 before it slips back into the sun's glare
Mercury reaches its greatest elongation on June 15, appearing at its maximum distance from the sun as viewed from Earth during its current evening app…
Famous child mummies in Andes may belong to kids who were sacrificed to 'ritually anchor' the Inca's presence as their empire expanded
Researchers analyzing plants found alongside famous Inca child mummies have pinpointed when the children died and what their deaths likely meant for t…
Neuroscientists are searching for the 'cellular substrate of loneliness'
Researchers are investigating whether loneliness operates as a fundamental biological drive comparable to hunger or thirst, according to emerging neur…