Eyelashes’ special features help fling water from the eyes

Eyelashes “micro-ratchet” structure and curved shape help wick water away from the eyes.

These are the 5 most popular Science News stories of 2024

Science News drew millions of visitors to our website this year. Here’s a recap of the most-read and most-watched news stories of 2024.

50 years ago, astronomers saw the surface of a distant star for the first time

In the 1970s, technological advances let scientists peer through stars’ atmospheres. Now, scientists can measure roiling gas in the stars themselves.

Telehealth helps people get health care, but access may soon be in limbo

COVID-era telehealth laws made health care more accessible for rural patients, but telehealth might not be as easy to access next year.

Stage 0 breast cancer patients may not need to rush to surgery

Women with Stage 0 breast cancer who got biannual mammograms and delayed surgery for two years fared as well as those who got immediate surgery.

These scientific feats set new records in 2024

Noteworthy findings include jumbo black hole jets, an ultrapetite frog, ancient asteroid remnants and more.

Each year we dedicate the final issue of Science News to reviewing the big stories in science, technology and medicine. And each year, I marvel at the many significant news…

Deaths related to the cold have grown since 1999 in the U.S.

From 1999 to 2022, the rate of cold-related deaths rose from about 4 per 1 million people to 9 per 1 million in the United States.

AI sniffs out whiskey flavor notes as well as the pros

A machine learning algorithm identified the top five flavor notes in 16 types of whiskey. Each matched the aggregate of what a panel of human pros said.

A new microbead proves effective as a plastic-free skin scrubber

The nonplastic polymer cleaned up eyeliner and permanent marker and broke down into molecules related to sugar and amino acids.

What will space exploration look like under Trump?

A lot is unknown, but the roles of billionaires like Elon Musk and Jared Isaacman suggests a focus on human and private spaceflight.

Here’s how public health fared in 2024

Viral outbreaks, extreme heat and access to clean water are among the year’s big public health headlines.

Scotch tape is key to creating thin films of diamond 

The sticky stuff helped peel sheets of diamond less than a micrometer thick off silicon wafers, creating membranes useful for electronic devices.

These are our favorite animal stories of 2024

Pigeons that do somersaults, snakes that fake death with extra flair and surprised canines are among the organisms that enthralled the Science News staff.

Archaeology’s top discoveries of 2024 include preserved brains and a lost city

From the plight of ancient Egyptian scribes to the identities of ancient Maya sacrifices, 2024 brought a rich medley of insights into human history.

Sheep earwax can record a dangerous diet

Sheep that eat death camas plants record the toxic meal in their earwax, a goopy health data repository that researchers are increasingly exploring.

Here are 8 remarkable scientific firsts of 2024

Making panda stem cells, mapping a fruit fly’s brain and witnessing a black hole wake up were among the biggest achievements of the year.

The message-sending part of neurons may be blobby, not smooth

Axons can be shaped like strings of pearls, research in mice and people show. How that shape may influence brain signaling is not yet clear.

Britain’s largest ancient massacre may have included cannibalism

Bones recovered from a natural shaft unveil a 4,000-year-old massacre of men, women and children, possibly part of a cycle of revenge killings.

These discoveries in 2024 could be groundbreaking — if they’re true

Did microbes ever live on Mars? Did an "elevator" help build Egypt’s first pyramid? Some signs pointed to yes this year, but confirmation is still needed.

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Is the Universe Designed for Life? A Bold New Experiment Aims To Find Out

A new paper suggests the anthropic principle—that the universe is fine-tuned for life—can be tested. It would be falsified if observations confirm three conditions: cosmic inflation occurred, axions exist, and…

Scientists Just Discovered Magic at the Large Hadron Collider

Researchers at the Large Hadron Collider have found that top quarks exhibit a property known as magic, which could advance quantum computing. The study, conducted by twin professors shows that…

Global Climate Goals in Crisis: 1.5°C Limit Now out of Reach, Stanford Researchers Warn

Artificial intelligence reveals new evidence indicating that rapid decarbonization alone will not prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. The hottest years of this century are poised to break…

New Study Exposes Hidden Risks of Acetaminophen in Older Adults

New research reveals that repeated doses of acetaminophen in people aged 65 and over can significantly increase the risk of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Researchers from the University of…

AI Pioneers Aim to Create the First Virtual Human Cell

A collaborative effort by experts from Stanford University, Genentech, and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence to develop the world’s first virtual human cell. This groundbreaking endeavor could…

Astronomers Finally Solve the Mystery of Strange Repeating Radio Bursts From Space

Recent discoveries reveal that bursts of slow pulsing radio waves originate from a binary star system consisting of a red dwarf and a white dwarf. These findings challenge current pulsar…

Breakthrough Titanium Compounds Double Carbon Capture Efficiency

Scientists have synthesized molecules using titanium peroxides to capture carbon dioxide, advancing direct air capture technology. Their findings suggest that titanium-based compounds could offer a more affordable and efficient solution…

Game-Changing Dual Cancer Therapy Completely Eradicates Tumors Without Harsh Side Effects

Combining phototherapy with chemotherapy may provide a more powerful approach to combat aggressive tumors effectively. Patients with late-stage cancer often have to endure multiple rounds of different types of treatment,…

The Catch-and-Release Trap: How Sportfishing Is Silently Endangering Giant Trevally

Researchers studied the impact of sport fishing on giant trevally, revealing that catch-and-release practices, while preserving fish in the short term, can alter fish behavior and movement over time. Their…

Astronomers Discover Planets Building Each Other in Space

New observations show that planets forming in protoplanetary disks like that around PDS 70 can trigger the formation of subsequent planets. This finding, based on high-resolution images from ALMA, supports…

Unlock the Science of Deep Sleep and Memory Formation

Slow-wave sleep plays a crucial role in strengthening memory by enhancing synaptic connections in the brain, with new findings suggesting potential methods for boosting memory through targeted stimulation. For nearly…

“Mirror Bacteria” Warning: A New Kind of Life Could Pose a Global Threat

Mirror life, a concept involving synthetic organisms with reversed molecular structures, carries significant risks despite its potential for medical advancements. Experts warn that mirror bacteria could escape natural biological controls,…

Revolutionizing Quantum Tech: Palm-Sized Lasers Break Lab Boundaries

UC Santa Barbara researchers developed a compact, low-cost laser that matches the performance of lab-scale systems. Using rubidium atoms and advanced chip integration, it enables applications like quantum computing, timekeeping,…

Unlocking Nature’s Secret: How Invisible Forces Create Perfect Patterns

A new model reveals how molecular interactions drive order in active systems. Scientists from the Department of Living Matter Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)…

Sleeping Monster of the Early Universe Revealed by James Webb

Astronomers have discovered a massive dormant black hole from the early universe, just 800 million years after the Big Bang, using the James Webb Space Telescope. This black hole, with…

New Pain Pathway Discovery Could Revolutionize Chronic Pain Treatment

Cellular research indicates that neuropilin-1 plays a crucial role in pain signaling, presenting a potential pathway for developing or repurposing treatments to manage chronic pain. Researchers at the NYU Pain…

Scientists Debunk Popular Myth: Tonsil Removal Doesn’t Cause Weight Gain

A clinical trial has found no evidence of a link between adenotonsillectomies and unwanted weight gain in children. A recent study led by Michigan Medicine researchers challenges the long-standing belief…

Melting Glaciers Threaten Harbor Seal Havens on Icebergs

New study reveals seal mothers favor slow-moving icebergs, while seals opt for faster ice in prime foraging areas later in the year. Harbor seals depend on icebergs as essential platforms…

Scientists Discover Explanation for the Unusually Sudden Temperature Rise in 2023

Researchers uncover a possible explanation for the abrupt temperature spike in 2023: a reduction in low-level cloud cover diminishes Earth’s capacity to reflect solar radiation. Rising sea levels, melting glaciers,…

Scientists Discover Simple and Natural Method To Produce Vitamin B2

Researchers at DTU have developed a natural and straightforward method for producing vitamin B2 by gently heating lactic acid bacteria. This innovation could significantly impact developing countries, where vitamin B2…

Scientists Uncover Hidden Norovirus Factories, Opening Doors to New Antiviral Strategies

Scientists have discovered how human norovirus creates special compartments inside cells to help it multiply and spread. These liquid-like structures act as virus-making hubs, offering new targets for developing antiviral…

Quantum Spin Liquids Are Real – and Could Change Technology Forever

Scientists have found evidence of a strange state of matter called a quantum spin liquid in a material known as pyrochlore cerium stannate. In this mysterious state, magnetic particles don’t…

Astronomers Capture Massive Gamma-Ray Flare From M87’s Blazing Black Hole

The jet emerging from M87’s supermassive black hole is tens of millions of times larger than its event horizon. In 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first-ever image of…

Quantum Teleportation Becomes Reality on Active Internet Cables

Researchers at Northwestern University have achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating quantum teleportation using a fiber optic cable that also carries regular Internet traffic. This innovation simplifies the potential…

A study introduces a novel thermodynamic concept called the 'centotectic' and investigates the stability of liquids in extreme conditions -- critical information for determining the habitability of icy moons like…

Physician-scientists found that a subset of artificial heart patients can regenerate heart muscle, which may open the door to new ways to treat and perhaps someday cure heart failure.

At a Neolithic settlement on the Danish island Funen dating back 5,500 years, archaeologists have discovered both grinding stones and grains from early cereals. However, new research reveals that the…

One of the biggest mysteries in science -- dark energy -- doesn't actually exist, according to researchers looking to solve the riddle of how the Universe is expanding. For the…

Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes and tomatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance…

Quantum teleportation could provide near-instant communication over long distances. But, inside Internet cables, photons needed for teleportation are lost within the millions of light particles required for classical communications. A…

A brotherly research duo has discovered that when the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) produces top quarks -- the heaviest known fundamental particles -- it regularly creates a property known as…

Antibodies can improve the rehabilitation of people with acute spinal cord injury. Researchers have investigated this with promising results. For the first time, it was possible to identify patient groups…

Opening new doors for the development of nanotechnologies in medicine and other fields, scientists recreate and compare two natural mechanisms to better program the timescale of molecular communication and functionality.

New studies offer a clearer picture of how the outer solar system formed and evolved based on analyses of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) and centaurs. The findings reveal the distribution of…

A new study finds nearly 50 hidden relatives of Pterodactylus, the first pterosaur. Joined by its newly discovered relatives, Pterodactylus's 'family' now encompasses tiny flaplings, a host of teenagers, some…

Scientists have unveiled groundbreaking research on the origins of lunar water, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of the Earth-Moon system and the broader solar system. The pioneering study…

Researchers developed a laser-based artificial neuron that fully emulates the functions, dynamics and information processing of a biological graded neuron, which could lead to new breakthroughs in advanced computing. With…

A new study about Earth's northernmost seafloor hydrothermal system shows even more variety in vent styles than previously thought. The study has important implications for understanding the origin of these…

A new study explores how variations in Mars' crustal thickness during its ancient history may have influenced the planet's magmatic evolution and hydrological systems. The research suggests that the thick…

Stitching together four molecules found in the standard flu vaccine ensures an immune response to all of them, scientists have shown.

Fossilized skeletons and shells clearly show how evolution and extinction unfolded over the past half a billion years, but a new analysis extends the chart of life to nearly 2…

While volcanism caused a temporary cold period, the effects had already worn off thousands of years before the meteorite, the ultimate cause of the dinosaur extinction event, impacted.

Light and moderate consumption of wine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications, according to a multicenter study. The study is based on the analysis of a biomarker…

A fragment of 'lost' music found in the pages of Scotland's first full-length printed book is providing clues to what music sounded like five centuries ago. Scholars have been investigating…

Conventional wisdom assumes the ratio of gases in a planet's atmosphere should match the ratio of gases in the natal disk that birthed it. For the first time, researchers compared…

California ground squirrels hunt, kill and eat voles, reveals a new study documenting evidence of widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels.

Galaxy clusters -- the big cities of the universe -- are home to many giant elliptical galaxies that have completed their growth and are not forming stars. However, it is…

Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic into the air, creating a form of air pollution that researchers suspect may be causing respiratory and other illnesses.

Scientists recently led a team that found, for the first time, that Chiron has surface chemistry unlike other centaurs. Its surface it has both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ice…

A study of more than 26,000 white dwarf stars has confirmed a long-predicted but elusive effect in these ultra-dense, dying stars: Hotter white dwarfs are slightly puffier than cooler ones,…

Scientists have spotted a massive black hole in the early universe that is 'napping' after stuffing itself with too much food. Like a bear gorging itself on salmon before hibernating…

Scientists have developed swarms of tiny magnetic robots that work together like ants to achieve Herculean feats, including traversing and picking up objects many times their size. The findings suggest…

A research team has taken a crucial step towards resolving a long-standing controversy -- was syphilis introduced to Europe from the Americas at the end of the 15th century, or…

Scientists propose a 'remelting' of the Moon's surface 4.35 billion years ago due to the tidal pull of Earth causing widespread geological upheaval and intense heating.

Atomic clocks that excite the nucleus of thorium-229 embedded in a transparent crystal when hit by a laser beam could yield the most accurate measurements ever of time and gravity,…

A future where lightweight car parts can be made with a 3D printer is here, thanks to multi-material additive manufacturing research.

A psychologist found that a baby's first sweet sounds and early attempts at forming words are directly linked to the baby's heart rate.

Researchers analyzed radioisotopes in layers of fossilized volcanic ash. Decay of uranium to lead within tiny crystals enabled scientists to precisely pinpoint dates for certain events. They determined this event…

String theory remains elusive as a 'provable' phenomenon. But a team of physicists has now taken a significant step forward in validating string theory by using an innovative mathematical method…

Step into a world so tiny, it defies imagination -- the nanoscale. Picture a single strand of hair, now shrink it a million times. You've arrived. Here, atoms and molecules…

An international team of researchers has detected a binary star orbiting close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. It is the first time…

A new study raises the possibility that jobs that require frequent spatial processing -- such as figuring out a taxi route or the best way to navigate to a hospital…

When young children's behavior becomes challenging, many parents resort to threats -- from taking away toys to threatening that Santa will skip their house, a national poll suggests.

Recent measurements with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) cast doubt on the current understanding of the exoplanet Trappist-1 b's nature. Until now, it was assumed to be a dark…

Analysis of the remains of at least 37 individuals from Early Bronze Age England finds they were killed, butchered, and probably consumed before being thrown down a 15m-deep shaft. It…

The galaxy M87, located in the Virgo constellation, provided the first-ever photo of a black hole in 2019, when the Event Horizon Telescope captured an image of the supermassive black…

A new prototype device demonstrates an innovative approach to producing ammonia -- a key component of fertilizer -- that could transform an industry responsible for about one-third of global greenhouse…

A new study points to why, and how, Io became the most volcanic body in the solar system.

New radio astronomy observations of a planetary system in the process of forming show that once the first planets form close to the central star, these planets can help shepherd…

Nearly all living organisms use the same genetic code, a complicated mechanism by which genetic information is translated into proteins, the building blocks of life. A new study suggests conventional…

A new analysis reveals that overfishing has caused populations of chondrichthyan fishes -- sharks, rays, and chimaeras -- to decline by more than 50 per cent since 1970. To determine…

Researchers have synthesized new molecules able to quickly capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, an important tactic in climate change mitigation.

Researchers have discovered a protein variant that serves as a knob for regulating the body's innate immune response. The findings could lead to new therapies for Long COVID, autoimmune disorders,…

Researchers are linking human activity to increased gene transfer from soil bacteria to humans.

A new genus and species of monofenestratan pterosaur has been identified from partial cranial and postcranial remains found in Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. The post New Pterosaur Species Unearthed in…

With the exception of ChatGPT 4o, almost all publicly available large language models subjected to a test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) showed signs of mild cognitive impairment. The…

These relatives of Pterodactylus will allow paleontologists to reconstruct this flying reptile’s life history from hatchling to adulthood. The post UV-Stimulated Fluorescence Reveals Nearly 50 Hidden Pterodactylus Specimens appeared first…

Some people can’t imagine a dog barking or a police siren; songs can’t get stuck in their heads; they have no inner voices. The post Some People Can’t Imagine Sounds:…

The Standard Model of particle physics predicts an asymmetry between matter and antimatter known as charge-parity (CP) violation. The post Physicists Find Evidence for Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry in Decays of Baryons…

Planetary scientists using the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft have captured stunning images of an enigmatic landscape in the Australe Scopuli region of the Red Planet’s…

Using a catalog of 26,041 white dwarfs observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, astronomers have confirmed a long-predicted effect in these ancient ultradense stars. The post Hotter White Dwarfs…

Mars is located at the extreme limits of brine stability; and only a combination of the most favorable environmental conditions and lowest eutectic temperature salts allows for brines to be…

Apachyus madseni is the first fossil representative of the enigmatic earwig family Apachyidae. The post 55-Million-Year-Old Fossil Earwig Found in Denmark appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

Physicists with the CMS Collaboration have released its latest search for the production of Higgs boson pairs, known as di-Higgs, and provided constraints on their production rate. The post CMS…

Using data from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and Keck telescope, astronomers have discovered a binary star system in the S star cluster close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black…

Primates, consisting of apes, monkeys, tarsiers, and lemurs, are among the most charismatic and well-studied animals on Earth. The post Researchers Unveil New Primate Family Tree appeared first on Sci.News:…

One of these genetic variants was inherited from Neanderthals, according to a study led by University College London researchers. The post Scientists Identify Genetic Variants that Determine Tooth Shape appeared…

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of early gorgonopsian therapsid that was part of an ancient summer wet biome of equatorial Pangea. The post Therapsids Originated in Tropical Rather than…

Saturn’s icy rings could be much older than they appear due to their resistance to pollution from impacts with rocky debris. The post Saturn’s Rings May Be as Old as…

Paleontologists have identified a new species of procolophonid reptile from the fossilized skull and jaw fragments found in southwest England. The post Triassic Lizard-Like Parareptile Had Unusual Dental Apparatus appeared…

In 2003, Hubble provided evidence of a massive exoplanet around a very old star. Such stars possess only small amounts of heavier elements that are the building blocks of planets.…

A radiation-resistant bacterium called Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a human. The post New Research Reveals How Deinococcus Bacteria Withstand Extreme…

Physicists with the ALICE Collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have seen the first ever evidence of antihyperhelium-4, which is composed of two antiprotons, an antineutron and an antilambda.…

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured a striking new photo of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 2566. The post Hubble Focuses on Beautiful Barred Spiral Galaxy: NGC…

Russia is attacking Ukraine with Shahed-136-type drones every night now. Ukraine has put up additional air defences in

Nuclear bomb is a weapon that employs the energy from a nuclear reaction. Resulting radiation and the fallout

Russia’s main air-defence systems are S-300 and S-400. Those are expensive missile systems, capable of engaging all kinds

More accurately predicting periods of increased hurricane activity weeks in advance may become possible due to new research

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed a robotic leg with

AstraZeneca has entered into a collaboration with biotech firm Immunai Inc., investing $18 million to utilize Immunai’s advanced

Astronomy has always relied on light to convey information about the universe. But capturing photons — such as

Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, showcased its new augmented reality (AR) glasses prototype, Orion, during its annual Connect conference.

Nebius Group, an Amsterdam-based tech company born from the division of assets previously owned by Russian technology giant

In the desert of Texas, an innovative construction project is unfolding—one that uses a crane-sized 3D printer to

PayPal Holdings announced a major development on Wednesday, allowing U.S. merchants to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrency directly

Russia has covertly established a weapons program in China to create long-range attack drones for use in the

The Sukhoi Su-57 is a Russian fifth-generation fighter jet, built as a response to the American F-22 Raptor.

Alphabet’s Google is partnering with Volkswagen to provide cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities for an in-app assistant designed specifically

Stability AI, an emerging leader in artificial intelligence, announced on Tuesday that renowned filmmaker James Cameron, director of

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denies reports that Iran has transferred a large quantity of Fath 360 short-range ballistic

Russia has emerged as the primary foreign actor using artificial intelligence (AI) to sway the U.S. presidential election,

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to launch approximately five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the