Lifestyle

Unusual, 1,400-year-old cube-shaped human skull unearthed in Mexico

Archaeologists discovered an unusually flat-topped skull at a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican site.

Dec 06, 2025 • 5 min read

New NASA, ESA images show 3I/ATLAS getting active ahead of its close encounter with Earth

NASA and ESA both shared new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS this week, as the agencies gear up for the mysterious object's closest approach to Earth on Dec. 19.

Dec 06, 2025 • 5 min read

What was the loudest sound ever recorded?

Determining the "loudest recorded sound" depends on how you define sound and on which measurements you choose to include.

Dec 07, 2025 • 5 min read

Ethereal structure in the sky rivals 'Pillars of Creation' — Space photo of the week

The twin telescopes of the Gemini Observatory mark 25 years of discovery as students name distant nebula Ua ʻŌhiʻa Lan.

Dec 07, 2025 • 5 min read

2,400-year-old 'sacrificial complex' uncovered in Russia is the richest site of its kind ever discovered

The "sacrificial complex" contained hundreds of bits of horse bridles and bronze beads, revealing a new aspect of ancient nomadic peoples' funeral rituals.

Dec 07, 2025 • 5 min read

Strangely bleached rocks on Mars hint that the Red Planet was once a tropical oasis

Bleached clay rocks found on the Martian surface suggest that the Red Planet was once home to heavy rainfall and tropical conditions, new Perseverance observations hint.

Dec 07, 2025 • 5 min read

Lost Indigenous settlements described by Jamestown colonist John Smith finally found

Excavations along the Rappahannock River in Virginia have revealed the likely spot of Indigenous villages once described by John Smith.

Dec 07, 2025 • 5 min read

Rare 'sunglint' transforms Alabama River into a giant 'golden dragon' — Earth from space

A 2023 astronaut photo shows the moment the Alabama River briefly morphed into an undulating golden serpent, similar in shape to a Chinese dragon. This temporary transformation was the result of a rar...

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

Is the 'Star of Bethlehem' really a planet? A bright visitor this month may hold a clue.

A brilliant point of light is rising in the eastern sky soon after dark this month, drawing comparisons to the "Star of Bethlehem."

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

Gray hair may have evolved as a protection against cancer, study hints

Aging comes with graying hair, which may be a sign of the body lowering its risk of cancer, a study suggests.

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

Widespread cold virus you've never heard of may play key role in bladder cancer

Scientists uncovered how childhood BK virus infections may set off cancer-causing mutations decades later: by activating a host immune system enzyme that attacks DNA.

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

Earth's crust hides enough 'gold' hydrogen to power the world for tens of thousands of years, emerging research suggests

Reservoirs of hydrogen gas that form naturally in Earth's crust could help humans decarbonize. The challenge now is finding these accumulations and working out how best to mine them, experts say.

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

The Arab region — a swath from Morocco to the United Arab Emirates — just had its hottest year on record

The Arab region just had its hottest year on record, a new climate report reveals.

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

This bright star will soon die in a nuclear explosion — and could be visible in Earth's daytime skies

The bright binary star system V Sagittae will flare up multiple times before finally going supernova within the next 100 years. When it explodes, it could be visible to the naked eye even in sunlit sk...

Dec 09, 2025 • 5 min read

Engineered imperfections supercharge graphene’s power

Researchers have discovered a new way to grow graphene that deliberately adds structural defects to enhance its usefulness in electronics, sensors, catalysts, and more. Using a specially shaped molecu...

Dec 04, 2025 • 5 min read

Scientists reveal what really drives the “freshman 15”

College life creates a perfect storm for overeating, as students consume more calories when surrounded by friends, eating in dining halls, or following unstructured schedules. A four-week study using ...

Dec 03, 2025 • 5 min read

Early Earth’s sky may have created the first ingredients for life

Researchers recreated conditions from billions of years ago and found that Earth’s young atmosphere could make key molecules linked to life. These sulfur-rich compounds, including certain amino acids,...

Dec 03, 2025 • 5 min read

The solar mission that survived disaster and found 5,000 comets

For thirty years, SOHO has watched the Sun from a stable perch in space, revealing the inner workings of our star and surviving crises that nearly ended the mission. Its long-term observations uncover...

Dec 03, 2025 • 5 min read

Scientists capture flu viruses surfing into human cells in real time

Scientists have captured a never-before-seen, high-resolution look at influenza’s stealthy invasion of human cells, revealing that the cells aren’t just helpless victims. Using a groundbreaking imagin...

Dec 04, 2025 • 5 min read

Hornet-eating frog shows remarkable venom resistance

Experiments reveal that pond frogs can eat highly venomous hornets without suffering noticeable damage, even after repeated stings. Most frogs successfully consumed hornets, including the notorious As...

Dec 04, 2025 • 5 min read