Research News

Sam Van Wassenbergh and his team filmed this black woodpecker at Alpenzoo Innbruck, Austria, for their study.

A woodpecker's brain takes a big hit with every peck: study

3:47pm July 14, 2022

by Jon Hamilton

A new study refutes the popular idea that a woodpecker's brain is cushioned from the violent impacts of pecking. It offers a different reason the birds avoid brain damage.

Drugmaker HRA Pharma has asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve an over-the-counter birth control pill called Opill. The agency's review process is estimated to take about 10 months.

Over-the-counter birth control pills are available worldwide. The U.S. may be next

5:00am July 14, 2022

by Allison Aubrey

Birth control pills are available in the U.S. only with a prescription. Now a drugmaker is asking the FDA to approve a progestin-only contraceptive that would be available without one at pharmacies.

Science

A new species of giant water lily has been discovered

2:52pm July 08, 2022

Botanists have discovered a new giant water lily with lily pads that can grow to nearly 10 feet wide. Researchers previously thought there were only two species of giant water lilies.

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A cast of the Buesching mastodon at the University of Michigan.

Science

The story of Fred the mastodon, who died looking for love

9:00am July 07, 2022

by Kai McNamee

A mastodon named Fred, also known as the Buesching mastodon, is a distant relative of the modern elephant. His remains reveal the story of his life and violent end.

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Science

Thanks to researchers, face mites are getting an image makeover

6:31am July 04, 2022

New research suggests face mites, long considered parasites, might actually be helpful to humans.

Science

Underwater noise pollution is disturbing ocean life, researchers say

5:56am July 01, 2022

Whales, seals and other marine mammals need their keen hearing for communication and for finding food. But it's being damaged by a range of constant sounds. Ship engines and oil drilling for example.

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A woodcut from the 15th century depicts a scene from the Black Death plague, which killed an estimated 50 million people in Europe and the Mediterranean between 1346 and 1353. Scientists say they may have found the origin of this deadly disease.

Scientists say they've solved a 700-year-old mystery: Where and when Black Death began

3:50pm June 30, 2022

by Max Barnhart

For centuries, scientists and historians have wondered where the Black Death — the deadliest pandemic in recorded history — came from. New research sheds light on the ancient disease.

People line up outside of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on June 23, as the city makes vaccines available to residents possibly exposed to monkeypox.

Monkeypox outbreak in U.S. is bigger than the CDC reports. Testing is 'abysmal'

5:00am June 25, 2022

by Michaeleen Doucleff

The testing system set up by the CDC actually deters doctors from ordering a monkeypox test, and many physicians aren't familiar with the disease, resulting in too few tests and little tracking.

Gen Nashimoto, of Luminalt, installs solar panels in Hayward, Calif., on April 29.

Science

Factual climate change reporting can influence Americans positively, but not for long

9:45pm June 24, 2022

by Ayana Archie

Climate change has impacted the world's water, air and land masses. But today's news media isn't designed to reinforce public belief, say researchers.

Scientists hope the larvae of the darkling beetle — nicknamed "superworms" — might solve the world's trash crisis thanks to their uncanny ability to eat polystyrene.

How 'superworms' could help solve the trash crisis

9:37pm June 23, 2022

by Olivia Hampton

A new study from Australia shows that larvae of the darkling beetle can eat polystyrene — the material behind plastic foam.

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