People around the world struggle with lung diseases that cause many deaths. Scientists are trying to understand if how much we move or sit affects the risk of getting these illnesses. A new study used a genetic method called Mendelian randomization to investigate the link between physical acti
In the fight against climate change, architects are looking for ways to make buildings more eco-friendly. One big challenge is figuring out how wind affects buildings early in the design process. Most tools for this job are used late in the game, but small changes early on can make a huge difference
Scientists discovered that tiny fragments from mouse mitochondria can make the body’s defense cells work against tumors. These fragments, called formyl peptides, are normally produced when bacteria or mitochondria break down proteins. Researchers first identified five specific mouse peptides t
The blog “Watts Up With That” claims to be a top source for climate science. It gathers research, news and expert views about how Earth is changing and what that means for people. Its focus areas include the causes of global warming, predictions about future temperatures and how scientists study th
A new soft robot moves through water by using light instead of batteries. The device is made from a single sheet of liquid‑crystal gel that has been patterned so its internal molecules twist in a way that produces a traveling wave when it is illuminated. When a laser scans across the sheet, the gel
NASA’s plan to send a crew to the moon after half a century has hit a snag. During a practice launch on January 31, 2026, the rocket that will carry four astronauts began leaking liquid hydrogen. The leak forced engineers to stop the fuel flow, fix it, and then restart—only for the problem to recur
Michael McElroy grew up in Belfast and earned a Ph. D. in applied mathematics from Queen’s University, where he famously solved ten test problems instead of the required three. His curiosity pushed him from planetary studies during the space race to deep investigations of Earth’s atmosphere. At Kit
Some city leaders and people online are puzzled by videos that show snow staying solid when a flame is held near it. One video shows a man holding a lighter to a snowball, and the snow doesn’t melt or drip. Commenters say it looks like fake snow. The trick behind this effect is that real snow is mo
Scientists from Seoul National University are using tiny tags on Weddell seals to learn how a warming ocean is changing life beneath Antarctica’s ice. They first capture the seals on sea‑ice near Thwaites Glacier by carefully approaching from behind and gently darting a sedative into the animal’s
Scientists are looking for ways to store energy quickly and safely. One idea is to use tiny hydrogen ions, called protons, as the moving charge in batteries. Protons can move fast through solid materials, which could let a battery charge and discharge almost instantly. The big problem is that not m
