Science News
Can Tech Companies Like Google Really Put Data Centers in Space?
Google is preparing to launch a satellite that can run its A.I. technologies from the heavens. But this is just a first step.
Salmon Are Thriving After Klamath Dam Removals, Study Finds
The first fall runs of chinook salmon since the project in California and Oregon was completed have surpassed researchers’ expectations.
Trump Backtracks on Plan for New Controls on N.I.H. Grants
Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.
Trump’s Energy Secretary Dismisses Reports of Diesel Export Ban, Criticizes Solar Power
Chris Wright also doubled down on his criticism of renewable energy sources like solar power.
Where Is the U.S. Beating China on A.I., and Where Is It Lagging?
As Xi Jinping visits President Trump in Washington, his country lags behind the United States on A.I. development in key areas — but Beijing has advantages elsewhere.
Gerard Barron, Metals Company Chief, Makes the Case for Seafloor Mining
The head of the company hoping to become the first to conduct commercial deep-sea mining said mines on land had a much larger environmental footprint.
Chris Wright Sells Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Vision
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is pitching a future of fossil fuel abundance. It’s not always an easy sell while war drags on and oil prices surge.
New Study Illuminates Bats’ Murky Origins
The largest analysis of bat genomes and fossils suggests that the first bats emerged in Europe roughly 65 million years ago and that echolocation evolved early.
Suicide Rate Dropped Slightly in 2024, C.D.C. Finds
Suicide deaths have often fluctuated over the years but a sustained downward trend remains elusive.
Judge Dismisses Unusual Climate Suit Claiming Oil Giants Broke Antitrust Law
The lawsuit, filed by Michigan, claimed oil companies colluded to obstruct solar power and to misrepresent climate risks, making energy costlier.
Texas Halts Data Center Permits, Expanding Environmental Scrutiny
Less than a year ago, Gov. Greg Abbott welcomed data centers. Now he is confronting concerns about the projects even among fellow Republicans.
$345 Million Verdict Against Greenpeace Should Be Overturned, Lawyers Say
A group of civil-rights and free-speech lawyers accused the judge of bias and “general incompetence.”
Mathematics Isn’t Just a Game to Let A.I. Solve. History Shows Why.
In our field of applied mathematics, the long, human process of trial and error — not just the solutions themselves — is often what has led to progress.
At 145 Degrees, This Amoeba Manages to Keep Its Cool
Found in volcanic streams in California, the newfound organism has the highest heat tolerance of any complex life on Earth.
New Hope for Diagnosing C.T.E. in Brain Injured Patients
Scientists are developing imaging techniques and blood tests that one day may enable doctors to identify the disease definitively in living patients.
The Urgent Mystery of Where Viruses Hide
Some viruses appear to vanish when outbreaks dissipate, only to emerge again. Scientists don’t always know which animals they lurk in — and how to stop them from spilling back over.
Sadness and Suicidal Behavior Among Teenagers Is Declining, C.D.C. Finds
A national survey has found that key mental health measures for teenagers have significantly improved from their worst levels during the pandemic.
Judge Allows Transfer of Land in Wildlife Refuge to SpaceX, for Now
The ruling clears a path for a land swap deal that would expand Elon Musk’s Starbase launch site in South Texas.
Are A.I. Models Being Misled to Act Too Human?
A corporate spat between two tech giants last week was just the latest volley in a conflict over whether dangerous mistakes are being made in A.I. training.
What a Massive New Crater Means for Future Moon Bases
At a whopping 728 feet wide, the newfound basin hints at the risks that impact events may pose to planned human outposts.