Tooth tartar could uncover the drug habits of ancient people
It could also reveal whether—and what—you’ve been smoking
Latest News
Read our COVID-19 research and news.
-
-
Podcast: The uncertain future of North America’s ash trees, and organizing robot swarms
On this week’s show: Federal regulators in the United States give up on quarantining a forest pest and researchers rattle robots around to organize them -
After decades of effort, scientists are finally seeing black holes—or are they?
How do you prove that you’re observing a bizarre, featureless hole in the fabric of space and time? -
Dismay greets end of U.S. effort to curb spread of tree-killing beetle
States, tribes oppose federal move to end quarantines and rely on tiny wasps to fight emerald ash borer -
Debates intensify over dosing plans for authorized COVID-19 vaccines
Proposals to halve doses or delay boosters seek to expand number of people who can quickly get at least one vaccine shot -
U.S. law sets stage for boost to artificial intelligence research
Congress authorizes ramp up in AI spending and backs planning for a national cloud computing resource -
New strategy to fight world’s most potent poison passes first tests in animals
Tamed botulinum toxin ferries miniature antibodies into nerves to reverse paralysis -
‘What changes is the commitment.’ Biden adviser on the next phase of U.S. pandemic response
Luciana Borio, who worked in Trump’s White House, is now on Biden’s team -
Trump’s new rule restricting EPA’s use of certain science could have short life
Democrats in Congress might be able to quickly revoke policy -
‘Incredible’ gene-editing result in mice inspires plans to treat premature-aging syndrome in children
Gene therapy using “base editor” derived from CRISPR extends life span, preserved aortas in mice with progeria -
Watch a moon jellyfish make walls of water to glide along
Strategy provides extra push through water -
Power shift in Senate could bring major changes in U.S. science and climate policy
Democratic takeover would help end Trump regulations and advance environmental legislation -
Viral mutations may cause another ‘very, very bad’ COVID-19 wave, scientists warn
Growing evidence that U.K. variant spreads faster triggers calls for tighter control measures -
Watch this ‘nonswimming’ bird swim like a champ, giving clues to evolution of penguins
Finding suggests the bird transition from air to water may have been easier than thought -
Scientists criticize ‘rushed’ approval of Indian COVID-19 vaccine without efficacy data
Green light for Bharat Biotech comes as company is still recruiting volunteers for its phase III trial -
Galloping sea lions could inspire land-sea robots
Amphibious marine mammal quite agile, even on land -
A new mandate highlights costs, benefits of making all scientific articles free to read
As funders’ Plan S requirements begin, the open-access movement shows progress and faces questions -
Podcast: Areas to watch in 2021, and the living microbes in wildfire smoke
On this week’s show: Looking at the year ahead in research and science policy, and how living microbes in wildfire smoke could impact human health and ecosystems -
The science stories likely to make headlines in 2021
Science’s news editors and writers predict this year’s biggest developments -
‘It’s crazy.’ Upbeat COVID-19 vaccine news from China and U.K. leaves scientists wanting more details
Sinopharm efficacy news, U.K. dosing schedule leave questions -
Will climate change make animals darker—or lighter?
Debate erupts over long-standing belief that warmer temperatures favor darker variants -
How voracious antlions engineer deadly sand traps
Funnel-shaped pits capture prey when antlions add some extra sand -
For those pursuing scientific careers, 2020 brought plenty of challenges
A Science Careers year in review -
A Kenyan health economist investigates the pandemic’s puzzling course in his country
Edwine Barasa helps guide the government’s response with data—and quiet persistence -
Brexit deal secures U.K. access to European research funds
24 December agreement preserves U.K. participation in the Horizon Europe research program
