Science
Scientific discoveries and research
What Happened When NASA's Simulated Mars Crew Left Isolation?A NASA crew exited a sealed Mars-mission simulation after 378 days, matching the length of a real round-trip flight.
77% of Antibiotic Lies to Doctors Worked, Study FindsMore than a quarter of patients fake or exaggerate symptoms for antibiotics, and most of those lies succeed, a new study finds.
What We Know About the Flesh-Eating Screwworm OutbreakUSDA has confirmed 74 animal cases of flesh-eating screwworm in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona since the parasite returned in June 2026.
Economist Report Disputes Claim Brown Rice Is HealthierThe Economist's science desk says the evidence behind brown rice's healthy reputation is weaker than most shoppers assume.
Oct. 29 NPR Segment Examines High-Functioning Depression QuizNPR's Oct. 29 report pairs a short quiz with the concept of anhedonia to flag depression hidden behind constant busyness.
Fiber Supplements May Ease Arthritis Pain, Study FindsA University of Nottingham trial links daily fiber supplements to less osteoarthritis pain and stronger muscles, researchers report.
What We Know About South Carolina's Measles Spread to WashingtonWashington traced five separate South Carolina measles introductions in two weeks, officials say, pointing to a shift in US transmission risk.
AdventHealth Doctor Removes Prostate in First US Telerobotic SurgeryA Florida surgeon operated a robotic system 35 miles away to remove a patient's prostate in an FDA-cleared study.
Vanessa Trump Details First Breast Cancer Symptom, Treatment TimelineVanessa Trump says six months of fatigue preceded her diagnosis; she details surgery, radiation and her future scan schedule.
CDC Reports 178 New Measles Cases, US Total Hits 4,588Pennsylvania's outbreak has pushed the US measles count past 4,500 this year, more than double 2025's total, CDC data show.
NASA Says It Will Push for Moon Base, Astronaut Landing in Two YearsNASA is applying Apollo-era urgency to land astronauts and build a lunar base within roughly two years, the AP reports.
What We Know: Vincent Kompany Hospitalized After Bayern Training CollapseBayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, 40, was hospitalized Friday after collapsing while watching a reserve training session.
1889 Night Sky May Be Key to Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' AP ReportsA new study reported by the Associated Press says Vincent van Gogh may have painted an actual 1889 night sky in 'The Starry Night.'
NPR's Desk-Pain Guide Flags Eye Exercise, Back FixNPR's Oct. 22, 2026 report outlines eye exercises and a back-pain movement to ease a day of sitting at a desk.
Norwich — Caroline Flack's Brother Never Recovered, Inquest HearsA Norfolk coroner's court heard Paul Flack, 55, died after years of grief following his sister Caroline Flack's 2020 death.
Japan Launches Spacecraft Toward Mars' Moons for Sample MissionJapan has launched a spacecraft bound for Mars' two small moons, aiming to return surface samples for study, AP reports.
What We Know About Pennsylvania's Congenital Measles AlertPennsylvania health officials issued clinical guidance as measles cases in pregnant women and infants climb statewide.
Christina Applegate, 54, Reveals Five-Year MS Diagnosis Was WrongChristina Applegate says a doctor cleared her of MS after five years, but her symptoms have only worsened, not improved.
Python Hunters Capture Puerto Rico's Largest Reticulated PythonHunters in Puerto Rico captured an 18-foot reticulated python, called the largest on record, after it strangled a pet cat.
Japan Launches MMX Mission to Grab Piece of Mars's Moon PhobosJapan's space agency JAXA is set to launch the MMX spacecraft Monday to collect 10 grams of dust from Mars's moon Phobos and return it to Earth by 2031.
NASA: El Niño's 2-to-7-Year Cycle Turns Pacific Ocean BlueNASA satellite data show the equatorial Pacific shifting from green to blue as a Super El Niño cuts phytoplankton.
One Kelvin Wave Already Raised West Coast Sea Levels. More Are ComingScientists tracking El Niño say a large underwater Kelvin wave already pushed West Coast sea levels higher, and more are on the way.
San Clemente's $1 Billion Rail Line Threatened by Beach ErosionStorm-driven erosion closed San Clemente's coastal rail line in September as a Super El Niño threatens worse ahead.
1,222 Measles Cases: CDC Sends Disease Detective to PennsylvaniaPennsylvania's measles cases jumped to 1,222 as six deaths were confirmed, prompting a federal epidemiologist deployment and $4 million in aid.
Carrot Top Sets Oct. 19 Las Vegas Return After Suicide AttemptComedian Carrot Top says he'll resume his Luxor show Oct. 19, weeks after a suicide attempt at his Las Vegas home.
Santa Ana Winds Fuel Fast-Moving Orange County WildfireA fast-moving Orange County wildfire burned homes Friday as Santa Ana winds drove a wider Southern California fire outbreak.
East Coast — SpaceX ISS Launch Creates 'Jellyfish' Cloud at DawnA pre-dawn SpaceX launch to the space station left a glowing, tentacled cloud visible across parts of the East Coast.
Palmyra Atoll — Seabirds Emerge as Allies for Pacific Coral ReefsScientists studying Palmyra Atoll find seabirds may help sustain one of the planet's most pristine coral reef systems, NPR reports.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Says Sixers' Chemistry Will Define SeasonKentavious Caldwell-Pope says the 76ers' title hopes rest less on talent than on teammates genuinely liking each other.
Mendocino, Calif. — Redwoods Dial Back Photosynthesis as Heat RisesA two-year UC Davis study finds coast redwood leaves slow photosynthesis during extreme heat in Mendocino County.
What We Know About the 5 Triggers Behind Silent InflammationFox News cites five triggers and five habits tied to chronic inflammation, pointing to gut health, stress and blood sugar.
Researchers Count 180,000 Giant Tortoises on Seychelles AtollA five-year survey found roughly 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises roaming free, the highest count ever recorded.
NOAA Hurricane Hunters Fly Into Isaias to Gather Storm DataNOAA crews flew into Hurricane Isaias to collect readings satellites can't capture, aiding forecasts as the storm hit Alabama.
Edinburgh — Depression Diagnosis Was Bipolar After 14 YearsKimberley Atkinson was treated for depression for 14 years before a psychiatric hospital stay revealed bipolar disorder.
NOAA Hurricane Hunters Fly Into Isaias to Gather Storm DataNOAA aircraft flew into Hurricane Isaias to collect wind and pressure data that satellites cannot capture, ABC News reported.
1181 Supernova's Remnant Reveals 'Cosmic Pearls' in New ImageGemini North telescope captured the sharpest view yet of Pa 30, a supernova remnant first recorded by sky-watchers in 1181.
25 Humans, 38 Dogs: Toronto Study Finds Pets Don't Disrupt SleepA 25-person, 38-dog tracker study found humans, not dogs, are the ones interrupting bedtime sleep in shared beds.
What We Know About Tropical Storm Isaias's Path So FarIsaias is the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season, but key tracking details are still emerging from official sources.
What We Know About the 10,000 Steps a Day Walking GuidelineThe Economist reports that walking pace, not just daily step totals, may matter most for health benefits from walking.
Hawaii — Kīlauea Remains on Orange Alert as USGS Watches for FountainsKīlauea stays on orange alert as USGS tracks renewed spattering at two summit vents and trail closures continue.
Two-Week Depression Followed Harry's 2019 Move to CanadaPrince Harry says a two-week depressive stretch followed an 'adrenaline crash' after he left the UK for Canada in 2019.
Paris — Scientists Explain Mars' Strange Elongated CloudResearchers say Mars' long-studied Arsia Mons cloud forms through a rare ice process rarely confirmed in nature.
Simon Pegg, 56, Reveals ADHD Diagnosis After Years of DoubtPegg says the diagnosis explained symptoms he once blamed on character flaws, after years of suspicion and a psychiatrist's assessment.
65-MPH Isaias Set to Become 2026's First Atlantic HurricaneTropical Storm Isaias has 65 mph winds and could become the Atlantic's first hurricane of 2026 before Gulf Coast landfall this weekend.
Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak Passes 1,066 Cases, Largest Since 2000Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached 1,066 linked cases, the largest U.S. outbreak since elimination in 2000.
California — Scientist Karl Dyeser-Oth Wins Nobel PrizeABC News aired a segment on Dr. Karl Dyeser-Oth's Nobel Prize win, but did not specify his field, institution or discovery.
What We Know About Stephen A. Smith's Lane Johnson Retirement RantStephen A. Smith questioned the timing of Lane Johnson's mental-health retirement on ESPN's First Take Wednesday morning.
What We Know About Egypt's Royal 'Retainer Sacrifice' Skull StudySkull fractures found in 46 ancient remains may confirm a century-old theory that royal servants were sacrificed in Egypt.
U.S. — Flu Activity Rises Early, Prompting Flu Shot Timing QuestionsFlu activity usually builds in October or November, but signs emerged in September this year, raising new vaccine timing questions.
Stockholm — Nobel Honors Discovery of High-Energy NeutrinosA Nobel Prize recognized work using high-energy neutrinos to study black holes and other distant cosmic sources.
What We Know About Francis Halzen's Nobel Prize in PhysicsFrancis Halzen, 82, won the Nobel Prize in physics for decades of work detecting neutrinos from space at the South Pole.
Nobel Prize in Medicine Goes to Three Optogenetics ScientistsAn American and two German researchers won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for optogenetics, a light-based nerve-control method.
2026 Physics Nobel Goes to IceCube Founder Francis HalzenBelgian-born physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for leading the IceCube neutrino observatory.
What We Know About the University of Chicago Diabetes TrialAll 12 patients in a University of Chicago islet-cell trial no longer needed insulin, NBC News reported, though key details remain unreleased.
Voice Changes, Hearing Loss Tied to Higher Dementia Risk, Study FindsA Drexel-led study of 833,417 adults found voice disorders and hearing loss together raised dementia risk markedly more than either alone.
Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences Closes Near 200th YearPhiladelphia's dinosaur-famous natural history museum has shut its doors despite a public campaign to keep it running.
What We Know About New York's Patient-Zero Pandemic DrillActors posing as bird flu patients tested 73 health facilities; 40 percent failed to mask and isolate them, a CDC report found.
Skerry Captures Rare Great White Shark Snatch Fish Off Cape Cod LineA National Geographic photographer filmed a young great white grabbing a fish off a fishing line near Cape Cod, ABC News reported.
LUX-ZEPLIN Detector Reports Unconfirmed Dark Matter HintA South Dakota detector logged an unexplained signal that could be dark matter, but researchers say it may be a statistical fluke.
Nearly 100 Kīlauea Earthquakes Prompt Hawaii Park ClosuresNearly 100 earthquakes shook Kīlauea's summit in 24 hours, prompting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close trails near Keanakākoʻi.
Economist Says Another Tool Works as Well as Tongue ScrapersThe Economist reports a tongue scraper may be unnecessary, saying a different, already-owned tool does the same job.
3 Old Masters Linked to Secret Egg Yolk in Oil PaintingsA 2023 Nature Communications study found egg yolk in oil paintings by da Vinci, Botticelli and Rembrandt, researchers say.
Sendai, Japan — Study: Venus' Haze Is Cosmic Dust, Not Volcanic AshA Tohoku University model finds Venus' decades-old lower haze forms from meteor dust and sulfuric acid, not volcanic ash.
London — What Lymphatic Drainage TikTok Videos Actually ShowBefore-and-after lymphatic massage videos look dramatic, but doctors say the science behind the 'debloat' claim is thin.
How Are Hospitals Changing Protocols to Handle Measles Cases?Hospitals are rerouting suspected measles patients and stockpiling vaccine as U.S. case counts hit a 35-year high.
What We Know About Carlo Rovelli's Interview With The EconomistThe Economist's science podcast features physicist Carlo Rovelli discussing the relative nature of reality and errors in physics.
What We Know About SpaceX's Starship 14th Orbital Test FlightSpaceX's Starship completed its 14th test flight, deploying 26 satellites before splashing down early after orbiting Earth roughly three hours.
SpaceX Launches Starship on First Orbital Flight From TexasSpaceX's uncrewed Starship reached orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight, a milestone for NASA's moon plans.
What We Know About NASA's PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope MissionNASA approved a $1.2 billion telescope built partly from Webb spare parts, targeting a 2033 launch under a new mission class.
How Earth's 1,400-Mile-Thick Outer Core Is Changing Day LengthA Nature study finds gravity from Earth's inner core fights other forces in the mantle, subtly altering day length.
Pennsylvania Measles Cases Reach 890 After 55 New InfectionsPennsylvania's measles outbreak reached 890 confirmed cases across 39 counties after 55 new infections in two days, officials said.
The '10-Year Rule' a UCLA Doctor Uses to Sort Brain Fog From DementiaA UCLA neurology professor's 10-year rule helps women separate perimenopause brain fog from early dementia symptoms, Fox News reports.
Hurricane Nolo Slows Near Hawaii, Could Reach Major StrengthHurricane Nolo is forecast to slow near Hawaii's Big Island and reach major strength this weekend, raising flood risk on saturated ground.
What We Know About the UK's Hottest Summer on Record in 2026Met Office HadUK Grid data show summer 2026 averaged 2.4C above normal, with rainfall 23% below the 1991-2020 baseline across the UK.
ESPN's Victory Challenge Seeks $10 Million for Cancer ResearchESPN's Victory Challenge aims to raise $10 million for pediatric cancer research, spotlighted through 11-year-old Heston's story.
Boston — Nor'easter to Bring 60-70 MPH Gusts, Coastal FloodingAn early-season nor'easter could pack hurricane-like winds and flooding from North Carolina to Nova Scotia this weekend.
What We Know About the Nor'easter Bringing Rain, Wind to the NortheastA nor'easter is set to drop up to 6 inches of rain and produce 60 mph gusts across the Northeast coast through Monday.
NPR Details NIH Research Funding Cuts With Six New ChartsNPR's six graphics document grant terminations, lab closures and job losses across U.S. biomedical research institutions under Trump.
What We Know About the Theory That Venus Ate Its MoonA UC Riverside astrophysicist says Venus's slow rotation could have dragged a moon inward until it fragmented and was absorbed.
Seattle Couple Sues Oregon Hospital Over Baby's Body, Seeks $10 MillionA Seattle couple's $10 million suit says Salem Health staff pressured them to drive their infant's body home themselves.
ABC News Documents Raccoon 'Boot Camp' at Mississippi RescueABC News reported on a Mississippi wildlife center where orphaned raccoons are raised toward independence, per a Sept. 22 video segment.
Michael Kiwanuka, 39, Reveals Stroke Ahead of Fifth AlbumMichael Kiwanuka says a brain bleed from high blood pressure caused a stroke months ago; recovery continues as he announces album Fudge.
Hunga Volcano's Caldera Collapse Explains 2022 Tonga TsunamiA 4-km caldera sank about 1 km during the 2022 Hunga eruption, and researchers say the speed of that drop fueled the tsunami.
Fire Amoeba Breaks Heat Record for Complex Eukaryotic LifeScientists documented a newly named fire amoeba reproducing at 145°F and still moving at 147°F, a record for complex eukaryotic life.
Kent's 20-Case Meningitis B Outbreak: Scientists Explain SeverityUKHSA and Oxford researchers say gene-swapping with throat bacteria explains why Kent's meningitis B outbreak hit so hard.
US Alcohol Use Drops After Pandemic Spike, Except For Ages 50-64A new study finds U.S. alcohol use eased overall from 2022 to 2024, though heavy drinking kept rising among adults ages 50 to 64.
BepiColombo Sheds Propulsion Module, Begins Descent to MercuryESA and JAXA's Mercury probe separated its propulsion module on Sept. 3, nearly a year behind schedule after a thruster malfunction.
Black Bears Increasingly Enter Los Angeles SuburbsBlack bears drawn by trash and fruit trees are pushing into Los Angeles-area neighborhoods as communities expand near forest edges.
Researchers Name New Cat Species Leopardus Tilcayo in BoliviaA small wild cat in Bolivia's cloud forest is the first new feline species named and described in more than 100 years.
Page, Ariz. — Lake Powell's Storage Capacity Has Shrunk 7% Since 1963A federal report finds Lake Powell has lost nearly 7% of its storage space to sediment since 1963, on top of drought losses.
What We Know About the EPA's Repeal of Climate Rules for Power PlantsThe EPA faces a lawsuit over its plan to repeal climate rules for power plants, with critics arguing it endangers public health.
Pennsylvania and CDC Clash Over Measles Deaths Amid OutbreakPennsylvania's request for CDC aid in a measles outbreak is at risk over a dispute on death classifications, highlighting state-federal tensions.
Dolphin Bubbles Exhibits Unusual Kleptoparasitic BehaviorBubbles, a bottlenose dolphin, stresses fish to induce vomiting and consumes the regurgitated food, challenging perceptions of dolphins.
Stanford Researchers Integrate Human Brain Cells into Mouse CortexStanford researchers replaced part of a mouse's brain with human cells to study organoids, showing slight improvements over missing structures.
Researchers create mouse with partly human brainScientists have developed a mouse with human brain cells to advance neurological drug research and understanding of brain diseases.
Big-box stores could cut emissions with rooftop solar panelsExperts suggest big-box stores could reduce emissions and save money with rooftop solar panels, yet adoption remains limited.
What We Know About How Chimps Teach Tool Use to OffspringChimpanzees teach their young tool use through social learning, with mothers playing a key role in demonstrating and transferring tools.