T/science

Boeing’s Starliner Reaches Space Station Some 2 Years After Planned Visit

If it returns to Earth successfully next week, the space taxi built for NASA could carry astronauts to orbit later this year.

What Is Monkeypox?

There have been dozens of cases reported in recent weeks among populations not typically vulnerable to the disease.

Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker

A look at all the vaccines that have reached trials in humans.

Ben Roy Mottelson Dies at 95; Shed Light on the Shape of Atoms

He shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics for discoveries of forces that can distort the shape of an atomic nucleus, with implications for human-made nuclear fission.

Watch a Giant Stingray’s Safe Return to Its River Home

The Mekong River is home to enormous and endangered aquatic life. A 400-pound fish’s release shows how some conservation efforts in Cambodia are paying off.

Scientists Found an Animal That Walks on Three Limbs. It’s a Parrot.

Lovebirds — and perhaps other species — seem to confound nature’s strong preference for bilateral bodies.

Elephants in Mourning Spotted on YouTube by Scientists

It is difficult to catch Asian elephants responding to deaths of herd members in the wild, but online videos helped researchers observe the behavior.

This NASA Mission Listened to Mars Shake, but Soon It Will Go Silent

The InSight spacecraft, which carries a seismometer and studies the red planet’s insides, is expected to cease functioning by the end of the year.

Tooth of an Ancient Girl Fills Gap in Human Family Tree

A molar discovered in a cave in Laos shows where the enigmatic Denisovans could have interbred with the ancestors of modern humans.

Gucci Gives New Meaning to the Contemporary Obsession With Stars

At a medieval castle in Puglia, it’s all about astronomy, baby.

How massive is the black hole at the center of the Milky Way?

Here is a heavy question about our galaxy.

Your Bosses Could Have a File on You, and They May Misinterpret It

Some private companies are keeping tabs on employees with systems that may rely on questionable behavioral science foundations.

Total Lunar Eclipse Turns Moon Red

Eclipse watchers gazed up as the Earth shadow fell over the moon, causing it to appear copper-red in a phenomenon some call a blood moon.

Scenes From Sunday’s Lunar Eclipse

Earth's shadow fell over the moon on Sunday, creating the astronomical phenomenon some call a blood moon.

What’s Down the Road for Silicon?

Meet the new materials overpowering the electric economy.

A Total Lunar Eclipse in Prime-Time

On Sunday night, Earth’s shadow will fall over the moon and make our natural satellite turn blood red.

The Trigger That Makes an Octopus Mom Self-Destruct

Researchers are gaining a better understanding of the biochemical processes that precede female octopuses’ deaths after they lay and then tend their eggs.

Courage Seemed to Be Dead. Then Came Zelensky.

Can economics make sense of heroism?

Your Thursday Evening Briefing

Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.

While Building a House, They Dug Up a Chamber for Ancient Gods

The discovery in Turkey led to a looting charge against the homebuilders and captured a time when the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the region’s dominant power.

The Milky Way’s Black Hole Comes to Light

The Event Horizon Telescope has once again caught sight of the “unseeable.”

Spinal Fluid From Young Mice Sharpened Memories of Older Rodents

Researchers identified a protein in the fluid that could boost the cognition of aging animals — and might lead to future treatments for people.

How big is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Some 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic are estimated to be floating in an accumulation zone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

These Mushrooms Borrowed the Same Deadly Toxin From a Mysterious Source

Instead of evolving to produce poison, some distantly related fungi became toxic through a process called horizontal gene transfer, scientists say.

These Bats Buzz Like Hornets to Scare Off Predators

Scientists say they have discovered the first case of mammals mimicking insects to defend themselves from being eaten.

Dr. Morton Mower, Inventor of Lifesaving Heart Device, Dies at 89

With a colleague, he created a miniaturized defibrillator that could be implanted inside patients suffering from potentially fatal arrhythmia.

We’ve Been Drawing These Saber-Tooth Cats All Wrong

A new study suggests that a widespread species of the ancient feline predators concealed their deadly teeth when they weren’t on the attack.

The Future of Space Tourism Is Now. Well, Not Quite.

From zero-pressure balloon trips to astronaut boot camps, reservations for getting off the planet — or pretending to — are skyrocketing. The prices, however, are still out of this world.

Este es el pez que generó miles de memes

El Tiktaalik, una especie extinta con extremidades que pasó del agua a la tierra, se convirtió en un meme sobre cómo la humanidad no está haciendo las cosas bien.

Sheldon Krimsky, Who Warned of Profit Motive in Science, Dies at 80

He delved into numerous scientific fields — stem-cell research, genetic modification of food and DNA privacy among them — and sought to pinpoint the dangers.

Searching for What Connects Us, Carlo Rovelli Explores Beyond Physics

The physicist ranges widely — from black holes to Buddhism to climate change — in his new book, “There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness.”

Ukraine’s Battlefield Is Haunted by Putin’s Chemical Weapons Legacy

While the risk remains ambiguous, the Russian leader’s long infatuation with the toxic arms fuels worries that the deadly poisons could be deployed in Ukraine.

Watch the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peak in Night Skies

Fireballs may light up the sky for those willing to stay up late and take in the show.

I Just Want My Kid to Learn Algebra. Does That Make Me a Culture Warrior?

Americans still underperform in math. That, not debates about testing and social emotional learning, should be our focus.

Un grupo de científicos trabaja para redefinir los segundos

Los científicos se preparan para redefinir la unidad fundamental del tiempo. No será más larga ni más corta, pero será más precisa y mucho más potente.

Meet Mouth Almighty, a Different Kind of Fish Dad

A study of Australian fish that care for offspring through mouthbrooding shows that things underwater are not always as monogamous as they seem.

Deadly Venom From Spiders and Snakes May Cure What Ails You

Efforts to tease apart the vast swarm of proteins in venom — a field called venomics — have burgeoned in recent years, leading to important drug discoveries.

Hydroponic Lettuce Was Seen as Safe From Salmonella, Until an Outbreak

The F.D.A. criticized measures at a hydroponics greenhouse linked to an outbreak last summer, and offered guidelines that have ramifications for the popular industry.

An Anaconda’s Play Date With Dolphins Took a Strange Turn

Why were Bolivian river dolphins swimming around with a large predatory snake in their mouths? “There are so many questions,” one researcher said.

Catch and Release: Rocket Lab Grabs Booster Falling From Space With a Helicopter

The company aims to join Elon Musk’s SpaceX in reusing rocket boosters, which can lower costs and increase the frequency of launching to orbit.

In Florida, Social-Emotional Learning + Math = Rejection

Readers discuss the Florida Department of Education’s objections to some of the topics in math textbooks. Also: The Ukraine war; mask mandates.

Growing a New Future for Farming

By restoring soil health, Donald Wyse hopes to transform farms, to the benefit of farmers and their customers.

You Hear the Musical Saw. These Mathematicians Heard Geometry.

A scientist who has studied falling playing cards, coiling rope and other phenomena has now analyzed what transforms a carpenter’s tool into a sonorous instrument.

These Bloodworms Grow Copper Fangs and Have Bad Attitudes

Scientists figured out the biochemical process that lets the turf-conscious worms grow sharp teeth using very simple materials.

Started Out as a Fish. How Did It End Up Like This?

A meme about the transitional fossil Tiktaalik argues that although we did come out of the sea, we aren’t doing just fine.

The ‘Ultimate Bird’ Once Prowled the Seas of a Young Japan

Researchers described Annakacygna, a family of flightless ancient swans that were filter-feeders.

They’re All Good Dogs, and It Has Nothing to Do With Their Breed

Retrievers that don’t retrieve and Papillons that point are all possible because the genes that shape dog behavior predate modern breeding that focuses on appearance, researchers find.

Now That’s What I Call Frog Mating Music!

A fancy camera offers new insight into the distinct calls of a springtime male wood frog chorus.

Climate Change Will Accelerate Viral Spillovers, Study Finds

In a warming world, bats in Southeast Asia will be especially prone to spreading viruses to other mammals, researchers found.

NASA Sees ‘Otherworldly’ Wreckage on Mars With Ingenuity Helicopter

The debris was part of the equipment that helped the Perseverance mission safely land on the red planet in 2021.

A Traffic Jam at the Space Station

A series of departures and arrivals hint at a busier future for the orbital outpost.

Can Probiotics Boost Vaginal Health?

Pills and suppositories that promise to balance the vaginal microbiome are lining drugstore shelves and online marketplaces. But are they backed by science?

Which Animal Viruses Could Infect People? Computers Are Racing to Find Out.

Machine learning is known for its ability to spot fraudulent credit charges or recognize faces. Now researchers are siccing the technology on viruses.

With supply more abundant, U.S. pharmacies struggle to use up Covid pills.

Cultivating Coveted Morels Year-Round and Indoors

Jacob and Karsten Kirk, twins from Copenhagen, say they have devised a method to reliably grow morel mushrooms in a climate-controlled environment.

Get Ready For the New, Improved Second

Scientists are preparing to redefine the fundamental unit of time. It won’t get any longer or shorter, but it will be more precise — and a whole lot more powerful.

Tripping Through the Universes

A new cosmic kung fu film explores the meaning of existence in alternate realities.

Worried Sick: A Journey Into the Anxious Teenage Mind

Why are so many American teenagers feeling anxious, depressed and even suicidal? Our video looks at the science behind the teen mental health crisis.

Ursula Bellugi, Pioneer in the World of Sign Language, Dies at 91

Her research advanced understanding of the brain and the origins of language — signed and spoken — and shed light on how humans communicate and socialize.

We Study Virus Evolution. Here’s Where We Think the Coronavirus Is Going.

What’s next for the coronavirus.

About how many detectable earthquakes shake the Earth each year?

The Earth shakes a lot.

Turtle Nesting Season Is Back in Florida

Each year, thousands of female sea turtles make a pilgrimage to Florida’s beaches to nest.

How hot is the surface of Venus?

Venus is often called Earth’s twin but it isn’t.

New Research Points to Wuhan Market as Pandemic Origin

Two new studies say the virus was present in animals at the Huanan seafood market in 2019.

Covid persistente: así es como agota al cuerpo

Ya se vislumbra un cuadro de los estragos que causa la covid en el organismo y por qué puede ser tan debilitante.

How Long Covid Exhausts the Body

A picture is emerging of the toll long Covid takes inside the body and why it can be so debilitating.

What is a coprolite?

This is a specialized scientific term.

U.S. Has Far Higher Covid Death Rate Than Other Wealthy Countries

Despite having one of the world’s most powerful arsenals of vaccines, the United States has failed to inoculate as much of its population as other wealthy nations.

Which of the following is not true about mammals?

A question about what doesn’t make a mammal a mammal.

How many stars are in the Milky Way galaxy?

The answer is many, many, many.

Una infección de ómicron, en gráficos

Seguimos el curso de una infección típica de esta variante.

Charting an Omicron Infection

Following the course of a typical Omicron infection.

Is Pluto a Planet? What’s a Planet, Anyway?

More than 15 years after Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet, the debate, even among scientists, continues.

By weight, how much of you is carbon?

Answer this question to learn a bit about what you’re made of.

Sync your calendar with the solar system

Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other astronomical and space event that's out of this world.

2021 Was a Big Year in Orbit and Beyond

Journeys to Mars, space station emergencies and other events that made this year out of this world.

2021’s Most Fascinating Animals

Highlights from some of the most unusual discoveries in the animal kingdom this year.

How far have you traveled in the past year?

During another pandemic year, many of us spent much of the time at home. But on a cosmic scale, we were not still.

Can We Have a Meaningful Life in a Virtual World?

“Am I dipping into the spiritual realm and the infinite game of life? Damn right I am.”

How old is the universe?

The beginning of everything was a long time ago.

How much material from space enters the Earth’s atmosphere on an average day?

Earth is under attack from space dust.

What It Takes to Understand a Variant

Science is unfolding in real time as researchers race to understand the new Omicron variant. Here’s a guide to those efforts, and when you can expect more answers.

Moon Cube and Mysteries of the Solar System

A Chinese lunar rover spotted an unusual object on the moon's surface. Extraterrestrial artifact, or the latest case of mistaken space identity?

Mira al coronavirus en una gota minúscula

Un equipo de 50 científicos creó la primera simulación atómica del coronavirus dentro de una diminuta gota de agua transportada por el aire. El ejercicio arroja pistas sobre cómo la variante delta se convirtió en dominante.

What are a coronavirus’s genes made of?

Here’s a viral genome question.

The Coronavirus in a Tiny Drop

A new simulation shows how the virus survives inside tiny airborne particles of water — and gives clues about how the Delta variant became dominant.

Which of these places in the solar system contains the least amount of mass?

A question of space. Outer space.

Under the Sea: Recovering Ancient Treasure

A reporter joins an expedition in the Pacific Ocean to recover a tusk from the seafloor.

Where to Stargaze in the U.S.

Since 2001, the International Dark-Sky Association has designated spots with exceptionally high-quality night skies, in an effort to restore them to their natural state.

Which of the following animals appear to be least susceptible to Covid-19?

Test your science knowledge.

What We Know So Far About Waning Vaccine Effectiveness

Vaccines still offer strong protection against severe Covid-19, but many studies show their protection against infection decreases over time. How much that decline matters is up for debate.

How hot is lava erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano?

Test your science knowledge.

What’s Emerging From the Melting Ice?

As global temperatures rise, permafrost and glaciers are rapidly thawing and eroding, releasing ancient animal remains and human artifacts.

The average global temperature in 2020 was 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit (14.9 degrees Celsius). How cold was it during the height of the last ice age?

Test your science knowledge.

How many neurons are there in the brain of a fruit fly?

Test your knowledge of science.

Here’s Why Developing Countries Can Make mRNA Covid Vaccines

Pfizer and Moderna are skeptical, but we found 10 companies in Africa, Asia and South America well-positioned to produce the gold-standard mRNA shots.

If you unraveled the DNA contained in just one of your body’s cells, how long would it stretch?

Test your science knowledge.

Weekly Health Quiz: Salt, Covid Tests and Your Microbiome

Test your knowledge of this week’s health news.

2021 Has Been a Bad Year for Manatees

Manatees in Florida have been dying at an alarming rate, with the state losing about 10 percent of its population in just a year.

4 Things to Know About the Microbiome

These microorganisms play a crucial role in our health.

A Tour of China’s Future Tiangong Space Station

An illustrated guide to the different sections of China’s new space station.

See How Vaccines Can Make the Difference in Delta Variant’s Impact

In a Times simulation, we modeled Delta-driven Covid outbreaks in two communities, one with a high vaccination rate and another with a low rate. Their levels of serious illness and death were starkly different.

Charles Loeb on the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima

Mr. Loeb’s article was published in the Atlanta Daily World on Oct. 5, 1945.

Visitors on Mars Send New Views to Earth

Three spacecraft reached Mars in February, starting a busy year of new exploration. Here's what they're showing us from the red planet.

An Invitation to the Cicada Party

This spring, billions of cicadas will emerge from underground tunnels to sing, mate and die across the eastern United States. Here’s what to expect.

‘Out of the Void’: Teenagers Eager for Vaccination

Ready for a return to pep rallies and proms, these youngsters were quick to roll up their sleeves.

The Flu Vanished During Covid. What Will Its Return Look Like?

The latest flu season, which normally would have run until next month, essentially never happened.

A Helicopter Flies on Mars

NASA on Monday hailed its “Wright brothers moment” when a small robotic helicopter named Ingenuity took off on Mars. Here’s what to know.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Thinks Science Can Reign Supreme Again

“In the 1960s, while we’re going to the moon, you didn’t need special programs to get people interested.”

Your Thoughts on Muons Upending Physics

A story this week that involved wobbling muons, particle colliders, a Costco parking lot and the possible rewriting of the laws of physics drew an array of enthusiastic comments.

Calls for Further Inquiries Into Coronavirus Origins

In addition to outside calls for new inquiries, the W.H.O. team of scientists also suggested pursuit of other avenues including reviews of samples from blood banks.

Ouvrir les fenêtres, essentiel à la réouverture des écoles

Une simulation des flux d’air dans une vraie salle de classe à New York montre que des mesures simples de ventilation peuvent réduire le risque d’exposition au coronavirus.

In 100 Years, People Will Say …

We asked scientists, community leaders and public health experts to predict what might be said a century from now.

What Do Vaccine Efficacy Numbers Actually Mean?

All of the F.D.A.-authorized vaccines offer strong protection against Covid-19, and assessing their efficacy isn’t as simple as a head-to-head comparison.

Para reabrir las escuelas hay que abrir las ventanas

Una simulación del flujo de aire en un aula real de la ciudad de Nueva York muestra que la simple ventilación y la filtración pueden reducir la probabilidad de exposición al coronavirus.

Why Opening Windows Is a Key to Reopening Schools

A simulation of airflow in a real New York City classroom shows how simple ventilation and filtration can reduce the probability of coronavirus exposure.

It’s Been a Busy Month on Mars

When NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on the red planet on Thursday, it was the end of a bustling cycle of activity.

Sync your calendar with the solar system

Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other astronomical and space event that's out of this world.

How the Novavax Vaccine Works

Using a coronavirus protein to train the immune system.

The Year in Spaceflight

It started with a literal bang.

Which Animal Best Embodies 2020?

It was a rough year for Homo sapiens.

How Chuck Yeager’s ‘Right Stuff’ Hit the Screen

The test pilot, who died Monday at 97, inspired generations after he was featured in the book and film “The Right Stuff.” Here’s how it came about.

Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker

A look at all the vaccines that have reached trials in humans.

How Moderna’s Vaccine Works

Two shots can prime the immune system to fight the coronavirus.

How Pfizer’s Vaccine Works

Two shots can prime the immune system to fight the coronavirus.

The Social Life of Forests

Trees appear to communicate and cooperate through subterranean networks of fungi. What are they sharing with one another?

Designed to Deceive: Do These People Look Real to You?

The people in this story may look familiar, like ones you’ve seen on Facebook or Twitter or Tinder. But they don’t exist. They were born from the mind of a computer, and the technology behind them is improving at a startling pace.

20 Years Aboard the International Space Station

Twenty years ago today, three astronauts stepped aboard the International Space Station. Since then, the I.S.S. has hosted hundreds of residents from many countries. This is a history of our first 20 years of living aboard.

5 Strange Facts About Quokkas

They are curious, bold and known for their adorable grins. They follow tourists around and even “pose” for photos.

Can You Spot One of These Migrating Birds?

More than 500 bird species in North America migrate in the fall, so it’s a great time to whip out the binoculars.

What’s Behind Those Colorful Leaves?

It may seem like magic, but each leaf’s new look comes from chemical changes happening within.

Exploring the Solar System

A guide to the spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit.

Meet the 3 Spacecraft Heading to Mars This Summer

Three missions are headed to Mars this summer. They carry a wide array of instruments to explore the red planet.

Tratamientos y medicamentos para el coronavirus: monitoreo de efectividad

Una lista actualizada de tratamientos potenciales para la COVID-19.

7 Things to Do This Weekend

How can you get your cultural fix when many arts institutions remain closed? Our writers offer suggestions for what to listen to and watch, and a reason to take a stroll in Lower Manhattan.

Some Polynesians Carry DNA of Ancient Native Americans, New Study Finds

A new genetic study suggests that Polynesians made an epic voyage to South America 800 years ago.

SpaceX Postpones Launch of Two NASA Astronauts

The Crew Dragon launch is now scheduled for Saturday at 3:22 p.m. Eastern time.

Following Comet SWAN

A newly discovered comet is swinging around the sun.

Así muta y se propaga el coronavirus

El virus ha mutado. Pero eso no significa que se esté volviendo más mortal.

This 3-D Simulation Shows Why Social Distancing Is So Important

We visualized a cough to show how far respiratory droplets can spread. If you haven’t been keeping your distance to fight the coronavirus, this may persuade you.

Apollo 13: As They Shot It

Surviving disaster, in the astronauts’ words and photographs.

Bad News Wrapped in Protein: Inside the Coronavirus Genome

The virus injects a tiny but remarkably complex strand of RNA into infected cells.

Así secuestra tus células el coronavirus

El intrincado viaje que sigue en el cuerpo el virus que causa COVID-19.

Así secuestra tus células el coronavirus

El intrincado viaje que sigue en el cuerpo el virus que causa COVID-19.

How Coronavirus Hijacks Your Cells

The intricate journey of the virus that causes Covid-19.