Science

Science

Researchers uncover the first Neanderthals that are related to each other

4:37pm October 19, 2022

by Geoff Brumfiel

Researchers have uncovered the first Neanderthals that are related to each other. The finding shows that these ancient people lived in clans similar to those of modern humans.

This is an artist's rendering of the dinosaur Podokesaurus holyokensis, which lived millions of years ago in what is now Massachusetts. The dinosaur, whose name means "swift-footed lizard of Holyoke," has been named the state's official dinosaur.

'Swift-footed lizard' is named the Massachusetts state dinosaur

4:16pm October 19, 2022

by The Associated Press

Podokesaurus holyokensis, which lived millions of years ago in what is now Massachusetts, has been named the state's official dinosaur under legislation signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Women who had ever reported using straightening products in the last year were slightly likelier to develop cancer than those who'd never used them.

Hair straightening chemicals may increase women's risk of uterine cancer, study finds

5:01am October 19, 2022

by Becky Sullivan

The findings are a concern for Black women, researchers say, who are far more likely to report using straightening products such as relaxers.

Science

British physicist writes 1,750 Wikipedia bios to chronicle more female scientists

5:59am October 18, 2022

According to one estimate, only 19% of the English-language biographies on the site are about women. Jess Wade got busy. In five years she made almost 2,000 entries for women and minority scientists.

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Chelle Wyatt holds her hearing aid on April 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City.

What to know now that hearing aids are available over the counter

6:11pm October 17, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

The shift in hearing health care is due to a recent rule change by the FDA, which recently cleared the way for the devices to be sold in retail stores without the need for buyers to see a doctor.

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Walking through the shale quarry in Delta, Utah, in 2017.

Arts
Science

Bones, teeth and really old rocks: How finding fossils takes me out of myself

5:20pm October 17, 2022

by Meredith Rizzo

Fossils are a humble, hidden constant in the city's bustling ecosystem. And in my overstimulated life, seeking out a few constants in the world sounded pretty good.

Astronaut Jim A. McDivitt's official portrait, taken in 1971. McDivitt has died at age 93.

Former NASA astronaut Jim McDivitt, who led Gemini and Apollo missions, dies at 93

4:58pm October 17, 2022

by Juliana Kim

McDivitt commanded two early Gemini and Apollo missions in the 1960s that played a key role in preparing for the moon landing in 1969.

After users began observing a trend in candle reviews, one researcher decided to find out if it held any significance.

Why did he suspect a COVID surge was coming? He followed the digital breadcrumbs

1:41pm October 16, 2022

by Manuela López Restrepo

A theory about online candle reviews and COVID cases was put under the microscope, and has taken on new relevance amid concern at the lack of official data heading into another winter.

Artist's illustration of what it looks like when a supermassive black hole "spaghettifies" a star.

Science

A black hole is releasing some strange burps, baffling scientists

7:00am October 15, 2022

by Laurel Wamsley

Astronomers were stunned to find that the black hole was emitting energy, two years after it pulled apart a star that had come too close.

A photo released by the New Zealand Department of Conservation on April 5, 2018, shows beached pilot whales in Haast, a city on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island.

Recent whale strandings highlight the mystery that still baffles marine scientists

7:00am October 15, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

A recent stranding on remote New Zealand islands left nearly 500 pilot whales dead. Scientists still don't know for sure why the events, also known as beachings, occur, but they have some ideas.