Science News
NASA May Return Early From International Space Station After Medical Issue
NASA said it canceled a spacewalk planned for Thursday after an astronaut had an undisclosed medical issue on the International Space Station.
The Scientists Making Antacids for the Sea to Help Counter Global Warming
The world’s oceans are becoming dangerously acidic. A controversial proposal would raise the pH — by mixing chemicals into the water.
What Is the UNFCCC and Why Is the U.S. Pulling Out?
The Trump administration said Wednesday that the United States was withdrawing from 66 international agreements, including a major climate change treaty.
Trump Pulls Out of Global Climate Treaty
The action could make it more difficult for a future administration to rejoin the Paris climate accord, the agreement among most nations to fight climate change.
The Icebreaker Araon Reaches the Thwaites Glacier
After a 12-day crossing, and a hard slog through sea ice, the field work on this Antarctic expedition is ready to start.
Democrats Seek Answers About Oil Companies’ Knowledge of Trump’s Venezuela Operation
Democrats demanded information from seven top U.S. oil companies about any meetings with the Trump administration regarding plans to control Venezuela’s oil industry.
Scientists Discover Oldest Poison, on 60,000-Year-Old Arrows
Residues on arrow tips found in South Africa hint at how far back in history humans have been using poison for survival.
New Dietary Guidelines Abandon Longstanding Advice on Alcohol
Now the government’s recommendation is to “limit” drinking, without specifying safe amounts for men and women. The guidelines no longer warn of risks like cancer.
Moroccan Cave Fossils Yield a Possible Missing Link in Human Evolution
Jawbones and other remains, similar to specimens found in Europe, were dated to 773,000 years and help close a gap in Africa’s fossil record of human origins.
Venezuela’s ‘Dirty’ Oil and the Environment: Three Things to Know
Most of the reserves in the country are extra-heavy oil that’s tough to extract and generates more greenhouse gases.
The Bat Woman of North London: ‘It’s Like Tuning In to Another World’
On night walks through Highgate Wood, Cindy Blaney shares the whirling wonder of the often-maligned mammals with the humans below.
Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found.
The Year in Neanderthal Discoveries
They drew with crayons, possibly fed on maggots and maybe even kissed us: Forty millenniums later, our ancient human cousins continued to make news.
The Trump Administration Approved a Big Lithium Mine. A Top Official’s Husband Profited.
Karen Budd-Falen, the No. 3 at the Interior Department, didn’t disclose a $3.5 million water-rights contract between her husband and the developers of a Nevada mine, records show.
Offshore Wind Projects Challenge Trump Administration’s Order to Stop Work
The developers of Revolution Wind off Rhode Island and Empire Wind off New York are the latest to sue the Trump administration.
A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup
Problems with a 25-year-old landmark paper on the safety of Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, have led to calls for the E.P.A. to reassess the widely used chemical.
In the Arctic, Drones Help Identify Deadly Virus in Whales
Scientists took samples from whale blow, identifying possible disease risks for marine mammals in northern seas.
With Obamacare’s Higher Premiums Come Difficult Decisions
As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut.
Brenna Henn had a long-term grant to study the genetic diversity of Africans and people of African descent. Then her N.I.H. funding was cut.
This Diminutive Reptile Plays Rock-Paper-Scissors
Side-blotched lizards probably don’t call the game that, but they play a version of it anyway. A new study explains the hidden biology that makes this possible.