Once Written Off, Kepler Telescope Finds New Planet
The Kepler space telescope, which cost some $600 million, was feared to be at the end of its useful life in 2013. But NASA says it just found another exoplanet.
Science
Earliest Human Engraving Or Trash From An Ancient Lunch?
Carved zigzag marks on a shell found more than a century ago have drawn new interest from archaeologists. The half-million-year-old lines aren't from an animal, and might be art from Homo erectus.
Behind The Scenes At The Lab That Fingerprints Microbiomes
Inside the lab, a lone technician sorts through new samples, snipping off swab heads intentionally fouled with fecal material. One head goes to cold storage and the other is processed for sequencing.
Birds Of A Feather Aren't Necessarily Related
Geneticists have revised the evolutionary tree of birds, revealing some unlikely relationships.
NIH Allows Restart Of MERS Research That Had Been Questioned
The National Institutes of Health has approved requests for waivers from a moratorium on experiments that aim to make the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome more infectious in mice.
Citing Health, Environment Concerns, New York Moves To Ban Fracking
Officials in New York said on Wednesday that the state will ban hydraulic fracturing there. The move follows years of efforts by environmentalists, who have called on the state to ban the practice.
Research Examines Character Concerns Versus Performance In The NFL
There has been a spate of interest recently in criminal behavior among NFL athletes. Research examines the performance of athletes charged with wrongdoing, and raises questions about NFL policy.
Scientists Debate If It's OK To Make Viruses More Dangerous In The Lab
Researchers are struggling with how to balance the benefits and risks of genetic experiments that can give viruses new talents for causing infections.
Abuse Of Synthetic Drugs Declines Across U.S.
Use of synthetic drugs, like bath salts, by young people continues to decline across the nation, according to a study by the University of Michigan.
Dengue Fever Strikes Millions. Now Scientists Hope To Strike Back
It's called "breakbone fever" because that's how bad you feel when you get it. There's no cure. But scientists have found powerful antibodies that could lead to the development of a simple vaccine.