Science

Indian Science Congress Speakers Say Newton Was Wrong, Ancient Demon-King Had Planes

3:34pm January 09, 2019

by Kamala Thiagarajan

The remarks, which also included a claim that a Hindu god created the dinosaurs, sparked an uproar among scientists and congress organizers and on Twitter.

A bag to collect forensic evidence is seen as the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner hosts a demonstration of technology that allows them to test degraded DNA samples.

Using Genetic Genealogy To Identify Unknown Crime Victims, Sometimes Decades Later

7:21pm January 08, 2019

by Barbara Anguiano

DNA combined with the study of family history has been used to solve high-profile cold cases such as the Golden State Killer. Now, volunteers are using the technique to identify crime victims.

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As the economy boomed, emissions rose sharply in 2018. Shipping was one source of the increase.

U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Are Once Again On The Rise

4:30pm January 08, 2019

by Geoff Brumfiel

A newly released report shows that the United States' CO2 emissions spiked last year. A booming economy and busy transportation sector are to blame.

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Ultima Thule Photographed By The New Horizons Spacecraft

Science

Hello, Ultima Thule

1:08pm January 08, 2019

What do we know about the furthest object we've ever observed from space?

Why do we feel pressure to give high ratings to, for example, our Uber driver, even if we don't have a great experience?

Science

Why Consumers Systematically Give Inflated Grades For Poor Service

12:50pm January 08, 2019

by Shankar Vedantam

A study shows that rating systems for online marketplaces are prone to inflation, because raters feel pressured to leave high scores.

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This granary weevil has set up shop inside a kernel. Even without wings, these stealthy stowaways — with the help of humans — have managed to infest grains all over the world for thousands of years.

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Meet The Granary Weevil, The Pantry Monster Of Our Own Creation

10:37am January 08, 2019

by Lindsay Patterson

Granary weevils are different from similar species: They can't fly. That's because they figured out how to use humans to get around the globe, and we are getting tired of this clingy relationship.

George, the last known Achatinella apexfulva, a Hawaiian land snail, died on New Year's Day.

George, Reclusive Hawaiian Snail And Last Of His Kind, Dies At 14

6:36pm January 07, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

While he was but one very lonely Achatinella apexfulva, his death takes place amid a crisis for Hawaii's native snails, whose populations have been decimated by invasive species.

Science

Biological Cartographers Seek To Map The Trillions Of Cells In The Human Body

7:56am January 05, 2019

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

There's an effort underway to make a new atlas of all the cells in the human body, and to describe each cell type using all the powerful tools of today's genetic technology.

Chinese Spacecraft Lands On Far Side Of The Moon

10:24am January 04, 2019

Chinese scientists have landed a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. Rachel Martin speaks with Brown University planetary scientist James Head about whether it is a big milestone.

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Scientists have re-engineered photosynthesis, the foundation of life on Earth, creating genetically modified plants that grow faster and bigger. Above, scientists measure how well modified tobacco plants photosynthesize compared to unmodified plants.

Scientists Have 'Hacked Photosynthesis' In Search Of More Productive Crops

10:51pm January 03, 2019

by Dan Charles

Scientists have re-engineered photosynthesis, a foundation of life on Earth, creating genetically modified plants that grow faster and bigger. They hope it leads to bigger harvests of food.