An illustration shows a hycean world – an exoplanet with a liquid water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere - orbiting a red dwarf star. Based on observations by the James Webb Space Telescope, the exoplanet K2-18 b might fit in this category. This illustration was obtained by Reuters on April 16, 2025. A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Reuters
Chemical fingerprints could belong to a signature of life on distant planet
iss072e097446 (Oct. 24, 2024) -- As the International Space Station soared 257 miles above Lake Michigan, NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit captured this long-exposure photograph of city lights streaking across Earth while a green and red aurora moved through the atmosphere.
Don Pettit/NASA
An astronaut’s awe-inspiring views from life in space
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Gianluca Masi/Virtual Telescope Project.
A new comet appeared in the sky, then likely disintegrated. But it can still be seen
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - MARCH 27: Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and El Capitan, is revealed from Tunnel View after a brief rainstorm clears on March 27, 2025, in Yosemite National Park, California. Federal cuts to the National Parks budget have left many areas of Yosemite Valley vulnerable this spring and summer to short staffing issues, including layoffs by the concessionaire, Aramark. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
George Rose/Getty Images
Scientists stumble across rare evidence that Earth is peeling underneath the Sierra Nevada
An illustration shows a hycean world – an exoplanet with a liquid water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere - orbiting a red dwarf star. Based on observations by the James Webb Space Telescope, the exoplanet K2-18 b might fit in this category. This illustration was obtained by Reuters on April 16, 2025. A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Reuters
Scientists detect signature of life on a distant planet, study suggests
LAR12252
NASA
New evidence challenges theories on the origin of water on Earth, study suggests
An illustration shows a hycean world – an exoplanet with a liquid water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere - orbiting a red dwarf star. Based on observations by the James Webb Space Telescope, the exoplanet K2-18 b might fit in this category. This illustration was obtained by Reuters on April 16, 2025. A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Reuters
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of life on a distant planet
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND - MAY 10: People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Solar storm could bring auroras farther south over the US than they typically appear
This is the first confirmed live observation of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, in its natural habitat. The team on Schmidt Ocean Institute's Research Vessel Falkor (too) captured footage of the 30-centimeter-long squid (nearly one foot) at a depth of 600 meters (1968 feet) using their remotely operated vehicle SuBastian on March 9 during an Ocean Census flagship expedition searching for new marine life. The expedition took place in the remote South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This year (2025) is the 100-year anniversary of the identification of the colossal squid, which are estimated to grow up to seven meters (23 feet) in length.
ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute
Colossal squid resembles a ‘glass sculpture’ in first footage taken from the deep sea
When the drug clobazam accumulates in Atlantic salmon's brains, migrating juvenile fish reach the ocean sooner, a new study found. A juvenile salmon is shown in May 2019.
Jörgen Wiklund
Salmon migration affected by drug pollution in water from antianxiety medication

Editor's picks

In 1922, American chemist, Thomas Midgley, Jr. discovered tetraethyl, an antiknock agent in gasoline, which led to the establishment of the ethyl gasoline industry. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Corbis/Getty Images
Once celebrated, an inventor’s breakthroughs are now viewed as disasters — and the world is still recovering
GettyImages-698572974.jpg
3D Illustration Getty Images/NASA
‘Dyson spheres’ were theorized as a way to detect alien life. Scientists say they’ve found potential evidence
KARS, TURKIYE - MAY 18: A view of moon, appearing in the sky in the evening hours in Kars, Turkey, on May 18, 2024. (Photo by Omer Tarsuslu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Omer Tarsuslu/Anadolu/Getty Images
Why scientists say we need to send clocks to the moon — soon
B8C6TT MEXICAN AXOLOTL
Stephen Dalton/Avalon.red/Alamy Stock Photo
Why axolotls seem to be everywhere — except in the one lake they call home

Space

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Jenna Nabors/CNN Underscored
I’m an outdoors editor who’s shopped at REI for a decade. Here are my 71 favorite buys
Katy Perry, Gayle King and 4 other women are headed for the ‘edge of space.’ Here’s what that means
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Trump’s unconventional NASA pick signals Mars intentions in confirmation hearing

Archaeology

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A reconstruction of the altar illustrates the painted panels of red, black and yellow which would have depicted a person wearing a feathered headdress and flanked by shields or regalia.
Heather Hurst
Mysterious altar found in ancient Mayan city contains bodies – and wasn’t made by the Maya
Archaeologists uncover an ancient Egyptian tomb belonging to a mystery king
Mass grave of Roman soldiers tells gruesome tale of military disaster
Ancient DNA sheds light on origins of 7,000-year-old Saharan mummies

Life

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A slightly different blending of the baselayer and glowlayer where the saturation of the baselayer has been turned down to accentuate the contrast between the non-glowing and glowing neurons.
courtesy Allen Institute
Scientists reveal advance in brain research once thought impossible
A mysterious ocean glow reported for over 400 years has stumped scientists. A new study could offer clues
Anthrax kills 50 hippos in DRC’s Virunga National Park
Scientists say they have resurrected the dire wolf

Paleontology

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Reconstruction of a late Maastrichtian (~66 million years ago) palaeoenvironment in North America, where a floodplain is roamed by dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Edmontosaurus annectens and Triceratops prorsus.
Davide Bonadonna
Were dinosaurs headed for extinction even before massive asteroid strike? Scientists offer new clues
Footprints show giant carnivorous dinosaurs and their plant-eating prey drank from same Scottish watering hole
Fossilized fish up to 16 million years old found in Australia, with last meal still intact
Bizarre creature preserved in 99 million-year-old amber was ‘beyond imagination,’ scientists say