The mechanism for gamma-ray bursts from space is decoded

Gamma-ray bursts, short and intense flashes of energetic radiation coming from outer space, are the brightest…

The purpose of life: why the textbook needs an update

New research from Australia and Finland could help explain one of nature’s strangest quirks—why some animals…

DNA origami innovation increases accessibility, lowers cost

Researchers have developed a faster, cheaper and simpler alternative to typical DNA origami fabrication, increasing the…

Flight by Light: Mission accomplished for LightSail 2

Mission accomplished: the Planetary Society announced Wednesday that its LightSail 2 spacecraft, which was launched last…

Buzz kill: mass bee deaths sting Russian beekeepers

Anatoly Rubtsov looked despondently at the beehives lining his property. “The farm used to be loud,…

Did Hurricane Barry prevent a near-record 'dead zone'?

Scientists are back from measuring the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” where there’s too little oxygen…

Total recall: N. Koreans in memory championship surprise

In silence, Pang Un Sim stares down at the jumbled-up playing cards for one minute, slowly…

Yelp ratings get better when they cost something—like time

An international team of researchers tested the idea that free online ratings are less trustworthy than…

Researchers solve 'hot spot' debate

Volcanic hot spots such as the ones that created the Hawaiian Islands have long been considered…

Study aims to map air pollution in front of our faces

To measure air pollution across the United States and other large areas, scientists rely on a…