Erich von Däniken, Who Claimed Aliens Visited Earth, Dies at 90
Obituaries, Today
His 1968 book, “Chariots of the Gods,” sold hundreds of thousands of copies, but one critic called it a “warped parody of reasoning.”
This Dinosaur Really Knew How to Get a Grip
Science, Today
A fossil of Manipulonyx reshetovi, found in a Mongolian desert, shows how the dinosaur used its specialized claw to snatch eggs.
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
Science, Yesterday
After the White House called for billions of dollars in funding reductions, senators and representatives are rescinding the proposed cuts and even boosting funds for basic research.
Why This Fish Actually Needs a Hole in the Head
Science, Yesterday
A cavity in the middle of the rockhead poacher’s skull might be used like a maraca to produce sound, new research suggests.
Google’s Former C.E.O. Wants to Build a Cosmic Search Engine
Science, January 9
Eric and Wendy Schmidt are backing a start-up-like approach to building a giant space telescope and powerful ground observatories.
This ‘Galaxy That Wasn’t’ Never Bore Any Stars
Science, January 9
Astronomers announced the discovery of a starless cloud of hydrogen gas, a pristine relic of the cosmos that is almost as old as time itself.
How Some Dogs Build Up Their Vocabularies
Science, January 8
Eavesdropping on their owners seems to help some toy-crazy and talented pups learn more words.
NASA Considers Early Return From I.S.S. After Medical Issue
Science, January 8
NASA said it canceled a spacewalk planned for Thursday after an astronaut had an undisclosed medical issue on the International Space Station.
Scientists Discover Oldest Poison, on 60,000-Year-Old Arrows
Science, January 7
Residues on arrow tips found in South Africa hint at how far back in history humans have been using poison for survival.
Moroccan Cave Fossils Yield a Possible Missing Link in Human Evolution
Science, January 7
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.
El increíble viaje de Brian Cox: de rockero a físico de partículas
En español, January 7
Antes llenaba estadios con su música. Ahora explica las complejidades del universo a una nueva generación bombardeada por la desinformación.
Caltech, a Science Powerhouse, Hires a Communicator as Its New President
U.S., January 6
Ray Jayawardhana, the incoming president, is an astrophysicist, but leaders at the California Institute of Technology also praised his credentials as a communicator at a time when science is under attack.
Who Is Regulating Data Centers in Outer Space?
Video, January 4
Space is not as unregulated as one may think. The “Hard Fork” hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton discuss Google’s new plan to build data centers in space.
Acontecimientos espaciales del 2026: La NASA vuelve a la Luna, eclipse de verano y más
En español, January 4
El próximo año, habrá viajes a la Luna y a Marte, nuevas visiones del cosmos y un eclipse solar por el que valdrá la pena viajar.
The Year in Neanderthals
Science, January 3
They drew with crayons, possibly fed on maggots and maybe even kissed us: Forty millenniums later, our ancient human cousins continued to make news.
Este diminuto reptil juega a piedra, papel o tijera
En español, January 2
Un estudio reciente revela la biología invisible que hace posible el juego y muestra cómo este puede ser una fuente importante de la diversidad de la naturaleza.
In the Arctic, Drones Help Identify Deadly Virus in Whales
Science, January 2
Scientists took samples from whale blow, identifying possible disease risks for marine mammals in northern seas.
Drones Detect Virus in Whale Blow in the Arctic
Video, January 2
Scientists flew drones with petri dishes above several species of whales in northern seas to collect samples of whale blow, which they tested for four different viruses. For the first time in the Arctic, researchers found cetacean morbillivirus, a highly infectious and deadly virus for marine mammals.
She Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine
Science, January 2
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
Science, January 1
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.
New York to Phase In Protections for Horseshoe Crabs
Science, January 1
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will ultimately ban the catch and biomedical use of the crabs.
Even the Sky May Not Be the Limit for A.I. Data Centers
Technology, January 1
Some tech leaders are concerned that the artificial intelligence race will exhaust available land and energy. The solution might lie in orbit.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts
Climate, December 31
Holdings from the library at the Goddard Space Flight Center, which includes unique documents from the early 20th century to the Soviet space race, will be warehoused or thrown out.
Your Wait for These Space Events Is About to Pay Off
Science, December 30
In 2026, there will be journeys to the moon and Mars, new visions of the cosmos and a solar eclipse that might be worth traveling for.
Twins’ Peaks: The Gilbertson Brothers Want to Rewrite Your Country’s Map
Science, December 28
Two brothers, both mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorrectly.
She Studied the Health Effects of Wildfires
Science, December 27
Marina Vance had an E.P.A. grant to help homeowners counter the impact of wildfire smoke, until the agency deemed the research “no longer consistent” with its priorities.
Before This Physicist Studied the Stars, He Was One
World, December 27
Brian Cox once toured as a keyboardist in major rock and pop bands. Now he’s a particle physicist on a new world tour with a dazzling show he designed in an era of science disinformation and denial.
Feral Dogs on the Roof of the World
Science, December 26
As many as 25,000 free-ranging dogs roam the cold, high-altitude desert of Ladakh, India. That’s a problem for wildlife and people alike.
En busca del sentido magnético de la mariposa monarca
En español, December 25
La brújula magnética es el último misterio por entender de los animales migratorios. Para algunos científicos, la mariposa monarca puede dar pistas clave.
Who’s the Parasite Now? This Newly Discovered ‘Fairy Lantern’ Flower.
Science, December 25
Found in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the plant steals nutrients from subterranean fungi.
Why Scientists Are Performing Brain Surgery on Monarchs
Video, December 23
Scientists in Texas are studying monarch butterflies to understand how they navigate thousands of miles, possibly by sensing Earth’s magnetic field. Alexa Robles-Gil explains how researchers are examining the butterflies’ brains to find answers.
Un planeta con forma de limón y el tamaño de Júpiter sorprende a científicos
En español, December 23
Nunca antes se había descubierto un objeto como el PSR J2322-2650b: está hecho de gas, tiene corazón de diamante y orbita alrededor de un pulsar.
In Pursuit of the Monarch’s Magnetic Sense
Science, December 23
The magnetic compass is the last unknown sense in migrating animals. For some scientists, the monarch butterfly is leading the way.
Some of the World’s Atomic Clocks Were Off Last Week (by 5-Millionths of a Second)
Science, December 22
How some of the world’s most precise clocks missed a very small beat.
Puzzle Designers Search for That ‘Satisfying Click’
Science, December 22
For prizewinning puzzle creators, the devilish ideas are in the details.
Engineer Is First Paraplegic Person in Space
Video, December 21
A paraplegic engineer from Germany became the first wheelchair user to rocket into space. The small craft that blasted her to the edge of space was operated by Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin.
Overlooked No More: Inge Lehmann, Who Discovered the Earth’s Inner Core
Obituaries, December 20
She pointed to evidence that the Earth’s inner core was solid — not liquid, as scientists had believed — a discovery that was ahead of its time.
Slain M.I.T. Professor Was a ‘Brilliant Scientist’ and a Beloved Colleague
U.S., December 20
Nuno Loureiro, 47, was killed by an old classmate who was on the run from a shooting at Brown University, the authorities said.
How to Watch the Final Meteor Shower Peak of the Year
Science, December 20
The Ursids this weekend are a winter solstice light show.
The Meek Really Did Inherit the Earth, at Least Among Ants
Science, December 19
How did ants take over the world? The answer may be skin deep.
An Engine of Fossil Discovery Fights Its Own Extinction
Science, December 19
A funding crisis at the Museum of the Earth and the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, N.Y., could scatter priceless specimens and end nearly a century of pioneering research.
Another Trump Financial Conflict, This Time With Nuclear Power
Business, December 19
Trump Media plans to merge with a company developing nuclear fusion technology, putting the president’s financial interests in competition with other energy companies over which his administration holds sway.
Lemon-Shaped World Is the Most Stretched-Out Planet Ever Seen
Science, December 19
An unusual object orbiting a rapidly spinning star might be a new phenomenon in the universe.
Trump’s NASA Pick Is Confirmed to Lead Space Program in Peril
Science, December 17
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire nominated twice to lead the agency, may draw some lessons from the tenure of another NASA leader in the 1990s.
More Than 2,000 Dinosaur Footprints Are Found in the Italian Alps
Science, December 17
Two hundred million years ago, prosauropods walked the earth. They left something behind.
Penguins Become Prey for the Pumas of Patagonia
Science, December 17
In Argentina, the return of pumas brought top predators back to the landscape — much to penguins’ dismay.
When the Bones Were Good, These Bees Buried Their Babies
Science, December 17
A cave in the Dominican Republic concealed thousands of years worth of animal bones that had been turned into nests by prehistoric bees.
Ruth Kiew Dies at 79; Botanist Made Discoveries in Remote Forests
Science, December 16
Trekking across Malaysia, her adopted country, she found more than 150 unrecorded plant species. “She’s one of the greatest botanists who ever lived,” a colleague said.
How the Pandemic Lockdowns Changed a Songbird’s Beak
Science, December 15
For ecologists, the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a remarkable natural experiment in what can happen to wild animals when humans stay home.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Valued at $800 Billion, as It Prepares to Go Public
Technology, December 13
A sale of insider shares at $421 a share would make Mr. Musk’s rocket company the most valuable private company in the world, as it readies for a possible initial public offering next year.
America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs
Opinion, August 18
Giving up on mRNA is a dangerous decision.
F.D.A. Approves Novavax Covid Vaccine With Stricter New Conditions
Science, May 17
The agency narrowed who can get the shot and added new study requirements that could cost the company tens of millions.
Genetic Study Retraces the Origins of Coronaviruses in Bats
Science, May 7
As China and the United States trade charges of a lab leak, researchers contend in a new paper that the Covid pandemic got its start, like a previous one, in the wildlife trade.
On New Website, Trump Declares Lab Leak as ‘True Origins’ of Covid
Science, April 18
The White House has thrown its weight behind the lab leak theory, an idea that has divided intelligence agencies.
American Children’s Reading Skills Reach New Lows
National, January 29
With little post-pandemic recovery, experts wonder if screen time and school absence are among the causes.
U.S. Students Posted Dire Math Declines on an International Test
National, December 4
On the test, American fourth and eighth graders posted results similar to scores from 1995. It was a sign of notable stagnation, even as other countries saw improvements.
Hoping for Allies Among Trump’s Health Picks, Pharma Faces Hostility
Science, November 27
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other candidates for top health posts are at odds with the drug industry, setting the stage for tense battles over regulatory changes.
The Education Crisis Neither Candidate Will Address
Op Ed, October 9
Covid learning loss and chronic absenteeism aren’t going to fix themselves
Fauci Grilled by Lawmakers on Masks, Vaccine Mandates and Lab Leak Theory
Science, June 3
Dr. Fauci testified before a House panel investigating Covid’s origins. The panel found emails suggesting that his aides were skirting public records laws.
Supernova or Coronavirus: Can You Tell the Difference?
Science, May 21
A scientist finds beauty in the “visual synonyms” that exist in images seen through microscopes and telescopes.
U.S. Tightens Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, May 7
A long-awaited new policy broadens the type of regulated viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxins, including those that could threaten crops and livestock.
Republicans Step Up Attacks on Scientist at Heart of Lab Leak Theory
Science, May 1
A heated hearing produced no new evidence that Peter Daszak or his nonprofit, EcoHealth Alliance, were implicated in the Covid outbreak.
Biotech Exec Gets 7 Years in Prison for False Claims About Rapid Covid-19 Test
Express, April 13
Prosecutors said Keith Berman falsely claimed he had invented a blood test that could detect Covid-19 in 15 seconds. His lawyer said he had put “genuine effort” into developing such a test.
¿Cuál es la siguiente fase del coronavirus?
En español, March 23
Los científicos que estudian la evolución continua del virus y las respuestas inmunitarias del organismo esperan evitar un rebrote y comprender mejor la covid prolongada.
What’s Next for the Coronavirus?
Science, March 22
Scientists studying the virus’s continuing evolution, and the body’s immune responses, hope to head off a resurgence and to better understand long Covid.
Where the Wild Things Went During the Pandemic
Science, March 18
A new study of camera-trap images complicates the idea that all wildlife thrived during the Covid lockdowns.
A Fern’s ‘Zombie’ Fronds Sprout Unusual Roots
Science, February 25
In the Panamanian rainforest, scientists found the first known plant species to transform decaying tissue into a new source of nutrients.
Before the Coronavirus Pandemic, Overlooked Clues From Chinese Scientists
Science, January 18
Newly released documents indicate that a U.S. genetic database had received the sequence of the coronavirus two weeks before it was made public by others.
Omicron, Now 2 Years Old, Is Not Done With Us Yet
Science, November 21
The dominant variant of the coronavirus has proved to be not only staggeringly infectious, but an evolutionary marvel.
Lab Leak Fight Casts Chill Over Virology Research
Science, October 16
Scientists doing “gain-of-function” research said that heightened fears of lab leaks are stalling studies that could thwart the next pandemic virus.
Inside a High-Security Virus Lab
Interactive, October 16
High-security labs, like this one at Penn State, are at the center of a debate over research that alters viruses to make them more dangerous.
The Nation’s Top-Performing Public School System
N Y T Now, October 10
Schools run by the Defense Department educate 66,000 children of civilian employees and service members.
We Can Fight Learning Loss Only With Accountability and Action
Op Ed, September 5
Let’s bring back an era of accountability.
U.S. Students’ Progress Stagnated Last School Year, Study Finds
National, July 11
Despite billions in federal aid, students are not making up ground in reading and math: “We are actually seeing evidence of backsliding.”
What the New, Low Test Scores for 13-Year-Olds Say About U.S. Education Now
National, June 21
The results are the federal government’s last major data release on the academic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wild Mammals Roamed When Covid Kept Humans Home
Science, June 8
Strict pandemic lockdowns may have allowed animals to range more widely and spend time closer to roads, a new study suggests.
Schools Received Billions in Stimulus Funds. It May Not Be Doing Enough.
Washington, June 5
Pandemic aid was supposed to help students recover from learning loss, but results have been mixed.
Many Women Have an Intense Fear of Childbirth, Survey Suggests
Science, May 16
Tokophobia, as it’s called, is not often studied in the United States. But a new survey finds that it may be very common, particularly among Black women and in disadvantaged communities.
We Could Easily Make Risky Virological Research Safer
Op Ed, May 10
Lab safety doesn’t need to torpedo scientific progress.
It’s Not Just Math and Reading: U.S. History Scores for 8th Graders Plunge
National, May 3
The latest test results continue a nearly decade-long decline. Try a sample quiz to test your knowledge.
Scientist Revisits Data on Raccoon Dogs and Covid, Stressing the Unknowns
Science, April 29
After analyzing genetic data swabbed from a Wuhan market in early 2020, a virologist said it was unclear if animals for sale there had been infected.
Can Africa Get Close to Vaccine Independence? Here’s What It Will Take.
Science, April 25
Leaders on the continent have vowed that if there is another pandemic, they won’t be shut out of the vaccine market.
China Publishes Data Showing Raccoon Dog DNA at Wuhan Market
Science, April 5
Scientists from the Chinese C.D.C. confirmed that DNA from raccoon dogs and other animals susceptible to the coronavirus was found at the market in early 2020.
Wuhan Market Samples Contained Covid and Animal Mixtures, Report Says
Science, March 21
In a much-anticipated study, experts described a swab that was positive for the coronavirus and contained loads of genetic material from raccoon dogs.
New Data Links Pandemic’s Origins to Raccoon Dogs at Wuhan Market
Science, March 17
Genetic samples from the market were recently uploaded to an international database and then removed after scientists asked China about them.
Biden Proposal Would Ban Online Prescribing of Certain Drugs
Science, February 25
Some medications, like Ritalin and Vicodin, would require an in-person doctor’s visit under the new rules, a reaction to the pandemic-era rise of telemedicine.
After Long Delay, Moderna Pays N.I.H. for Covid Vaccine Technique
Science, February 23
Moderna has paid $400 million to the government for a chemical technique key to its vaccine. But the parties are still locked in a high-stakes dispute over a different patent.
She Helped Unlock the Science of the Covid Vaccine
Science, February 9
Kizzmekia Corbett helped lead a team of scientists contributing to one of the most stunning achievements in the history of immunizations: a highly effective, easily manufactured vaccine against Covid-19.
When Animals Are Used in Research
Letters, January 31
Readers discuss experimentation on lab animals. Also: Racism in America; preparing for the next pandemic; maternal deaths; Amazon’s donations.
Expert Panel Votes for Stricter Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, January 27
The White House will decide whether to adopt the panel’s recommendations on so-called gain of function experiments.
N.I.H. Did Not Properly Track a Group Studying Coronaviruses, Report Finds
Science, January 26
An internal federal watchdog said that the health agency had not given adequate oversight to EcoHealth Alliance, which had been awarded $8 million in grants.
Health Experts Warily Eye XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Subvariant
Science, January 7
A young version of the coronavirus makes up one-quarter of Covid cases across the United States and over 70 percent of new cases in the Northeast.
Your Tuesday Briefing: China’s Space Push
N Y T Now, December 12
Plus China’s vaccination pivot and the year’s most stylish “people.”
Your Monday Briefing: The World Cup Semifinals Loom
N Y T Now, December 11
Plus, China’s sluggish economy and the arrest of the Lockerbie bombing suspect.
Ómicron cumple un año. Así ha evolucionado
en Español, November 29
Al cumplirse el aniversario del descubrimiento de la variante, los expertos en virología siguen intentando ponerse al día con la rápida transformación de ómicron.
Happy Birthday, Omicron
Science, November 26
One year after the variant’s discovery, virologists are still scrambling to keep up with Omicron’s rapid evolution.
The Pandemic Generation Goes to College. It Has Not Been Easy.
National, November 1
Students missed a lot of high school instruction. Now many are behind, especially in math, and getting that degree could be harder.
Pandemic Learning Loss Is Not an Emergency
Op Ed, October 29
In a vacuum, test score declines look like bad news. But none of this happened in a vacuum.
G.O.P. Senator’s Report on Covid Origins Suggests Lab Leak, but Offers Little New Evidence
Science, October 27
The report, signed by Senator Richard Burr, foreshadows a new wave of political wrangling over Covid’s origins if Republicans gain control of the House or Senate.
Math Scores Fell in Nearly Every State, and Reading Dipped on National Exam
National, October 24
The results, from what is known as the nation’s report card, offer the most definitive picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating impact on students.
Lab Manipulations of Covid Virus Fall Under Murky Government Rules
Science, October 22
Mouse experiments at Boston University have spotlighted an ambiguous U.S. policy for research on potentially dangerous pathogens.
How One School Is Beating the Odds in Math, the Pandemic’s Hardest-Hit Subject
National, October 15
Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Connecticut overhauled the way it taught — and the way it ran the classroom. Every minute counted.
Russia’s New Onslaught Against Ukraine
Letters, October 10
Readers respond to the latest Russian attacks in Ukraine. Also: The wonders of math; pandemic spending; Republicans and crime.
¿Quién tenía la culpa de que los alumnos de la Universidad de Nueva York estuvieran reprobando química orgánica?
en Español, October 5
Maitland Jones, un profesor respetado, defendió sus estándares. Pero los estudiantes hicieron un reclamo y la universidad lo despidió.
At N.Y.U., Students Were Failing Organic Chemistry. Who Was to Blame?
National, October 3
Maitland Jones Jr., a respected professor, defended his standards. But students started a petition, and the university dismissed him.
N.Y.C. Children Held Ground in Reading, but Lagged in Math, Tests Show
Metro, September 28
The first standardized test results that capture how most city schoolchildren did during the pandemic offered a mixed picture.
¿La variante ómicron llegó para quedarse?
en Español, September 27
La decimotercera variante con nombre del coronavirus parece tener una capacidad sorprendente para evolucionar con nuevas particularidades.
Why Omicron Might Stick Around
Science, September 22
Omicron, the 13th named variant of the coronavirus, seems to have a remarkable capacity to evolve new tricks.
The Quiet Cost of Family Caregiving
Science, September 4
Many employees reduce their hours or stop working to help ailing family members. But it may be years before they fully return to the work force, studies indicate.
The Pandemic Erased Two Decades of Progress in Math and Reading
National, September 1
The results of a national test showed just how devastating the last two years have been for 9-year-old schoolchildren, especially the most vulnerable.
How Bad Is the Teacher Shortage? Depends Where You Live.
National, August 29
Urgently needed: teachers in struggling districts, certified in math or special education. Perks: maybe a pay raise, or how about a four-day week?
Wastewater Disease Tracking: A Photographic Journey From the Sewer to the Lab
Interactive, August 17
Here’s how a scrappy team of scientists, public health experts and plumbers is embracing wastewater surveillance as the future of disease tracking.
El viaje evolutivo de la COVID-19 ha sido funesto e impresionante
en Español, August 11
El coronavirus, como muchos otros virus, evoluciona deprisa. ¿Los seres humanos y su ingenio podrían adaptarse más rápido a él?
We Are Still in a Race Against the Coronavirus
Op Ed, August 10
Human ingenuity must keep up with the coronavirus.
Combined nasal and throat testing swabs would detect more Omicron infections, two papers suggest.
Science, July 22
The papers, which have not yet been published in scientific journals, suggest that testing just a single type of sample is likely to miss a large share of infections.
Students Are Learning Well Again. But Full Recovery? That’s a Long Way Off.
National, July 19
A new report estimates that it may take students at least three to five years to recover from the pandemic. Federal relief money will most likely have run out by then.
Did Nature Heal During the Pandemic ‘Anthropause’?
Science, July 16
Covid precautions created a global slowdown in human activity — and an opportunity to learn more about the complex ways we affect other species.
Bat Virus Studies Raise Questions About Laboratory Tinkering
Science, July 15
Working in a laboratory in Paris, scientists gave a close relative of the Covid virus the chance to evolve to be more like its cousin.
The pandemic kept many children less active around the world, researchers find.
Express, July 11
Pandemic shutdowns and restrictions led to a 20 percent drop in average daily physical activity among children and adolescents, a new analysis shows.
The U.S. government will buy 3.2 million doses of Novavax’s Covid vaccine.
Science, July 11
The vaccine has not yet been authorized but is expected to be soon.
Think All Viruses Get Milder With Time? Not This Rabbit-Killer.
Science, June 20
The myxoma virus, fatal to millions of Australian rabbits, is a textbook example of the unexpected twists in the evolution of viruses and their hosts.
Unexplained hepatitis is not more common in U.S. children than before the pandemic, a C.D.C. study suggests.
Science, June 14
Officials have also been trying to determine whether the cases represent a new phenomenon or are simply a new recognition of one that has long existed; there have always been a subset of pediatric hepatitis cases with no clear cause.
Mysteries Linger About Covid’s Origins, W.H.O. Report Says
Science, June 9
“The lack of political cooperation from China continues to stifle any meaningful progress,” one expert said.
Reckoning With a Pandemic, as a Doctor and a Human
Book Review, June 8
In his essay collection “Virology,” Joseph Osmundson examines the myriad ways we coexist with viruses.
Two new versions of Omicron are gaining ground in the U.S., according to C.D.C. estimates.
Science, June 8
The spread of the subvariants adds more uncertainty to the trajectory of the pandemic in the United States.
He Helped Cure the ‘London Patient’ of H.I.V. Then He Turned to Covid.
Special Sections, June 6
Ravindra Gupta, who led the efforts that resulted in the second case of a patient being cured of H.I.V., was drawn into pandemic research.
In Florida, Social-Emotional Learning + Math = Rejection
Letters, May 2
Readers discuss the Florida Department of Education’s objections to some of the topics in math textbooks. Also: The Ukraine war; mask mandates.