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New Research

Skeleton of the Neanderthal boy recovered from the El Sidrón cave complex (Asturias, Spain).

New Research

Modern Humans and Neanderthals May Be More Similar Than We Imagined

A remarkably preserved 49,000-year-old skeleton shows that Neanderthal kids may have grown slowly, like us

A hawksbill sea turtle poses for its close up.

New Research

New Study Offers Glimmer of Hope for Sea Turtles

Turtle numbers are on the rise in many areas of the globe, but the endangered species still needs help

Cassiopea jellyfish resting "upside-down" in their tank

New Research

Even Without a Brain, Jellyfish Still Need to Sleep

These simple, ancient creatures show just how deeply rooted sleep may be in the animal kingdom

Mount Hora, the site in Malawi where an 8,100-year-old skeleton was found, yielding the oldest-known DNA from Africa.

New Research

Ancient DNA Helps Scientists Shed Light on How Ancient Africans Moved and Mixed

New techniques help explain why there is little genetic overlap between modern and ancient Malawi people—and promise much more

Kathy Niakan at work in the lab

New Research

Gene Editing of Embryos Gives Insight Into Basic Human Biology

A genetic tool allows researchers to disable a gene key to human development in a closely regulated experiment

Two tree frogs share an intimate moment. The eye-popping yellow of the male only emerges in mating season.

The Color-Changing Marvel of Tree Frogs Looking for Love

A new study sheds light on the wild world of “dynamically dichromatic” amphibians

New Research

Barn Owls Do Not Suffer From Age-Related Hearing Loss, Study Shows

Owls ranging in age from two to 23 were able to respond equally well to auditory cues

Behind Saturn's icy rings is the moon Tethys, illuminated by the planet's reflected sunlight.

How Scientists Engineered Cassini’s Final Demise

After a rich scientific life, Cassini went out in a blaze, becoming one with the planet it had revolved around for so long

New Research

Is Animal Hoarding a Distinct Mental Disorder?

There are many differences between people that hoard objects and those that collect critters

Agnostus pisiformes

Cool Finds

Look Into the Creepy-Cute Eyes of This Reconstructed, 500-Million-Year-Old Creature

The depictions of Agnostus pisiformis are part of comprehensive review of the Cambrian-era arthropod

If you open a warm bottle of bubbly, pay close attention to the cloud that rolls out of the neck of the bottle. Over 68 degrees Fahrenheit, it will turn blue.

New Research

Opening Warm Champagne Leads to a Pop of Blue

This flash of color is caused by the same process that colors the sky with its blue hues

The electric eel makes it leaping attack onto a biologist's arm

New Research

How Strong Is a Zap From an Electric Eel? Shockingly Strong

A biologist learns an eel’s power first hand, allowing himself to be repeatedly shocked in the name of science

Carbon Dating Reveals the History of Zero Is Older Than Previously Thought

An ancient text called the Bakhshali manuscript has bumped zero’s origin story back by 500 years

An image from Cassini's first dive through the gap between Saturn and its rings in April.

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What Cassini’s Daring Dives Have Taught Us About Saturn

Before the probe’s final plunge into Saturn’s atmosphere, here’s a look back at what we’ve learned so far

New Research

Researchers Find 98-Million-Year-Old Horned Vampire Ant Encased in Amber

A newly described species of Hell Ant impaled its tiny victims on its reinforced horn and may have slurped up their bug blood

New Research

Tattoo Ink May Stain Your Lymph Nodes

But more research is needed to determine whether this is actually a bad thing

New Research

Cargo Ships May Double Lightning Strikes in Their Path

Ship exhaust impacts cloud formation, which may influence lightning over busy shipping lanes

The surprising find was unearthed as part of a community project that invites amateur archeologists to help dig up local history.

Cool Finds

Amateur Archaeologists Find ‘Most Exciting’ Roman Mosaic in Britain

The mosaic tells the story of Bellerophon, a mythical hero who defeats the fearsome Chimera

New Research

Got Writer’s Block? Try Listening to Happy Music

A new study suggests that an upbeat tune can boost creativity

We hear a lot about the over-extraction of oil, but less about the consequences of the sand trade.

New Research

The World is Running Out of Sand

The little-known exploitation of this seemingly infinite resource could wreak political and environmental havoc

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