Why genetic testing can't always reveal the sex of a baby
Gender and sex are more complicated than X and Y chromosomes.
By Stephanie Pappas published
An ocean that opened up in what is now Mongolia 410 million years ago was created by a hot upwelling of rock known as a mantle plume.
By Harry Baker published
A 2017 satellite image of the Sahara's Tanezrouft Basin shows the abstract beauty in ancient rock folds and colorful salt flats that have been sculpted in this terrifying region over millions of years.
By Laura Geggel published
The unique shape of an ear bone belonging to a Neanderthal child found in a cave in Spain suggests that she had Down syndrome.
By Owen Jarus published
Researchers previously thought the calendar ring on the Antikythera mechanism tracked the ancient Egyptian calendar, but new research suggests it tracked the Greek lunar calendar instead.
By Clarissa Brincat published
Many people are familiar with the sharp pain that can strike beneath your rib cage during exercise. But what causes it?
By James Witts published
Cancer researcher Iñigo San Millán is also a coach to Tadej Pogačar, a favorite to win this year's Tour de France. In this interview, San Millán discusses his work in both arenas.
By Katherine Irving published
The diversity of even the largest animals depends on the smallest factors.
By Elise Poore published
Nikon release its best entries so far for the Comedy Wildlife Awards 2024.
By Lydia Smith published
Tasselled wobbegong sharks are so well camouflaged they can vanish on the seafloor, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass before lunging forward to suck their victims into their giant mouths.
By Stephanie Pappas published
Human societies that experience downturns do a better job of recovering from later disasters, new research finds.
By Alexander McNamara published
In a new series of comics, where young, female scientists take center stage, MIT's Ritu Raman explains how the format can inspire the next generation of young people into the world of STEM.
By Andrey Feldman published
Strange stars clustered near the Milky Way's center are much younger than theory predicts is possible. New research suggests their youth could actually be eternal — and fueled by annihilating dark matter.
By Paul Sutter published
Mysterious dark matter could slosh over our planet like a wave. If it does, it may produce telltale radio waves in Earth's atmosphere, new theoretical research suggests.
By Skyler Ware published
The three-body problem is a physics conundrum that has boggled scientists since Isaac Newton's day. But what is it, why is it so hard to solve and is the sci-fi series of the same name really possible?
By Sarah Wells published
The science of ruining your favorite shirt is more complicated than you might think.
By Victoria Atkinson published
Scientists have revealed key properties of radioactive promethium, a rare earth element with poorly understood applications, using a groundbreaking new method.
By Deepa Jain published
Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones easier to grow in the lab.
By Owen Hughes published
Engineers say they have created a design for a robot capable of jumping 400 feet into the air — and it could one day be heading for space.