Science News

Astronomers have caught what may be a rare cosmic catastrophe unfolding 11,000 light-years away. A seemingly ordinary sun-like star suddenly began flickering wildly, puzzling scientists until they realized the strange di...

Scientists identify a specific neural switch that controls addiction relapse, proving its a circuit problem, not a lack of willpower.

Researchers find that biased AI autocomplete tools covertly shift user opinions on societal issues, and warnings about the bias do not stop the effect.

A rare encounter with a juvenile great white shark caught by fishermen in April 2023 has reignited scientific interest in the mysterious population of these apex predators in the Mediterranean Sea. By reviewing records s...

New research reveals that depression-related fatigue is caused by cells that overwork at rest but "stall" when life gets stressful.

Researchers exploring Ugandas Kibale National Park have discovered seven new species of frog-like leafhoppers. The tiny insects, named for their frog-shaped bodies and powerful jumping legs, are so similar in appearance ...

AI chatbots are seduced by misinformation that is delivered in medical jargon, leading them to give potentially dangerous advice.

A newly developed antibiotic called EVG7 could offer a powerful new way to stop Clostridioides difficile, a dangerous gut bacterium that often returns after treatment. In mouse studies, researchers found that even a very...

Scientists prove that "brain aging" is driven by signals in the gut, and reversing the process is as simple as a nerve "reset."

Archaeologists excavating the foundation of a historic house in Russia discovered 409 coins buried before the revolution in 1917.

Scientists create an unprecedented atlas of 1 million cells to show how the aging brain rewires itself at the epigenetic level.

Coenzyme A, a molecule derived from vitamin B5, is vital for metabolism throughout the body. Scientists discovered that most of it resides inside mitochondria, yet how it reached these cellular powerhouses was unclear. Y...

Like whale blubber, oil as a dominant source of energy will gradually be phased out over the next decades. Here's what that transition may look like.

Strong magnets tend to be large and power-hungry, but a new design has produced a powerful magnet that fits in the palm of your hand, making it more practical and affordable

Longer summers are allowing more king penguin chicks to bulk up and survive the winter, but the penguins' main fishing area is shifting further away as temperatures rise

Space scientist Maggie Aderin talks telescopes, neurodiversity and being underestimated with Rowan Hooper on the New Scientist podcast, as her memoir Starchild comes out

Photographer Jonas Kako travelled to Greenland to explore how mining for the rare earth elements and minerals that are vital for new green technologies is impacting locals

Samantha King and Gavin Weedon's new book Protein digs deep into the nutrient's role in our health. But can it tell you how much you should be eating? Alexandra Thompson explores

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

New research reveals that every neuron in the adult brain carries a molecular record of exactly when and where it was born.

Spintronics-a technology that harnesses the electron's magnetic quantum states to carry information-could pave the way for a new generation of ultra-energy-efficient electronics. Yet a major challenge has been the ab...

A new study revisits a century-old question about how turbulence starts. The findings could potentially influence not only aircraft engineering but even the design of mechanical heart valves, and treatment of heart disea...