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Scientists Say That Time Itself Can Be in Two States at Once
If gravity’s the reason that quantum wave functions collapse, then time must be “fuzzy.”
Scientists Want to Use AI to Track Elusive Particles in the World’s Most Powerful Collider
Muons are a key subatomic particle in the discovery of new physics, but after particle collision, they’re difficult to track.
A Landslide in Alaska Set Off a Tsunami. There May Be More to Come.
Scientists say as glaciers retreat in a warming climate, landslide-generated tsunamis are likely to become more frequent.
Scientists finally solve 40-year-old physics puzzle about how things grow
In a major breakthrough, scientists have experimentally confirmed a universal growth law in two dimensions using a quantum system of fleeting light–matter particles. The finding strengthens the idea that wildly different processes—from crystals to living systems—may all follow the same hidden rules.
A 1,500-foot tsunami took scientists by surprise. Now we know why it happened
By chance a tour boat avoided a deadly tsunami set off by the retreat of Alaska's coast glaciers. Scientists are working to spot landslides like the one that caused the massive to warn people in harm's way
Collaboration in community: Political scientist Jeff Harden wins Arts & Letters Research Award
Jeff…
Scientists created one of the largest simulations of our universe ever — about the size of 500,000 HD movies
These giant "virtual universe" simulations help scientists trace cosmic evolution across billions of years.
Ride a jet ski through a re-creation of an Alaska mega-tsunami with the help of science
The world’s second-tallest tsunami wave on record tore through the remote Tracy Arm fjord in Alaska last August, leaving immense destruction in its wake. Scientists have made it possible for you to experience the disaster from the safety of home
Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass is still an essential read
This 2013 book by an Indigenous botanist is a quietly urgent act of healing that forces Western science to look at the world in a different way
Scientists stunned by 'sheer spectacle' as sea creatures flood beaches
Scientists still have much left to learn about the creatures, even as hundreds of thousands of them wash ashore.
Clean hydrogen created from plastic waste using battery acid from old cars and solar power
Researchers turned hard-to-recycle plastic into hydrogen using battery acid. This circular upcycling system tackles multiple problematic waste streams at once, the scientists claim.
Stanford researchers develop AI scientists for therapeutic discovery
The multi-agent system generated SARS-CoV-2-binding proteins in days.
How science is taking tripping mainstream
President Trump recently signed an order to speed up the evaluation of psychedelics to treat the brain. That’s coming after decades of strict prohibition on psychedelic drug use dating back to President Nixon. So how did we go from that to a psychedelic renaissance? A look into a key institution in the world of psychedelic research may give us some clues. This episode, NPR’s brain correspondent Jon Hamilton shares insight from a recent trip. (No pun intended.) Want more psychedelic content? Catch our episode on ketamine therapy here, or learn why some scientists want to take the trip out of psychedelics here. Have other questions about psychedelics and the brain? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!
National Institutes of Health Grant Terminations Disproportionately Impact Minority Scientists
Survey of nearly 1,000 researchers whose grants were cut shows BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women investigators faced higher odds of targeted equity-related terminations, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the U.S. scientific workforce
240-million-year-old giant “sand creeper” found hidden in retaining wall
A forgotten fossil hidden inside a garden wall has turned out to be one of Australia’s most remarkable prehistoric discoveries. Scientists have now identified the 240-million-year-old amphibian, Arenaerpeton supinatus, revealing an almost perfectly preserved skeleton—complete with rare traces of skin. This ancient river predator, about 1.2 meters long, looked somewhat like a giant salamander but was bulkier and armed with fearsome fang-like teeth.
New AI method tackles one of science’s hardest math problems
Penn researchers have developed a smarter AI method for solving notoriously difficult inverse equations, which help scientists uncover hidden causes behind observable effects. By introducing “mollifier layers” that smooth noisy data, they’ve made these calculations more stable and far less computationally demanding. This could transform fields like genetics, where understanding how DNA behaves is key to disease research.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4879-4885: Struggle at Atacama
Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute
650 NASA Volunteers Have Co-Authored Scientific Papers
After a recent count, NASA Citizen Science is proud to report that more than 650 people who have volunteered to participate in NASA citizen science projects
NASA Research Shows Early Life Relied on Rare Metal
NASA-funded scientists have discovered that life on Earth over 3 billion years ago relied on the metal molybdenum, which was incredibly scarce in the
'I was not looking for this': Scientist accidentally finds shortcut to Mars that could slash travel time in half
A new study suggests early asteroid trajectory data could help design faster Mars missions, potentially cutting round-trip travel time to under a year.
Political Scientist Named 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellow
Chris Warshaw, professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy, is one of 24 fellows selected to study the causes of polarization in the U.S.
Politics & Power: Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act, reshaping redistricting battles ahead of midterms
A 60-year-old civil rights law, effectively gutted. Now, Republicans across the South are racing to redraw congressional maps — and Florida just became the first state to act, passing new lines that could flip four seats. Democrats are promising to fight back. Sean Freeder, a political scientist and analyst, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton to discuss the pushback and the legal fights ahead.
Scientists Discovered Wave Wakes Where They Shouldn’t Be—Upending a 140-Year-Old Theory
There’s a connection between wave types that scientists once thought were fundamentally different.
Webb space telescope reveals a scorching “super-Earth” that looks like Mercury
A scorching, airless world just 48 light-years away is offering scientists a rare glimpse into the geology of distant planets. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers studied LHS 3844 b—a tidally locked “super-Earth” with a permanent dayside hot enough to melt metal—and discovered it’s a dark, barren rock with no atmosphere.
Scientists boost strawberry flavor and nutrition without changing growth
A surprising genetic twist shows that boosting a seemingly ordinary “housekeeping” gene can dramatically improve fruit quality without any trade-offs. By increasing the activity of a tRNA-related gene in strawberries, researchers unlocked richer color, stronger aroma, and higher levels of health-boosting compounds like anthocyanins and terpenoids. Even more striking, these enhancements came with zero impact on plant growth, fruit size, or sweetness—avoiding the usual downsides of metabolic tinkering.
Scientists connect “time crystal” to real device in quantum breakthrough
A strange kind of matter that “ticks” forever without energy input has just taken a major leap toward real-world use. Known as a time crystal, this quantum system repeats its motion endlessly—like a clock that never winds down—and scientists have now managed to connect it to an external device for the first time. By linking the time crystal to a tiny mechanical oscillator, researchers showed they can actually control its behavior, opening the door to powerful new technologies.
The scientist designing a tailored attack on glioblastoma
At UCLA, Dr. David Nathanson develops drugs that target the unique biology of glioblastoma, offering new hope for patients with this aggressive cancer.
Scientists Found a Surprising State of Matter That's Breaking Dimensional Rules
A new kind of anomalous Hall effect produces transdimensional matter.
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
A biopsy of a woman's cancer seems to have triggered an immune response against the tumour, putting her into remission
A game-changer for good health? Scientists believe ‘we are when we eat’
Decades of advice on what to eat and what not to might have been missing one key ingredient, according to new research, says Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh
Man destined to get Alzheimer’s saved by accidental heat therapy
Doug Whitney has a genetic mutation that means he should have developed Alzheimer’s disease decades ago, but his long-term work in hot engine rooms may have protected him in a similar way to sauna therapy
At ORNL, Science Never Sleeps
At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, scientists are building the next generation of research: self-driving labs powered by AI, robotics and high-performance computing. Autonomous systems run continuous “design, build, test, learn” cycles to analyze data in real time and guide experiments.
Adam Bonica named a 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellow
The Stanford political scientist is one of 24 outstanding scholars and writers to receive the honor. This year’s fellows will focus on political polarization in the U.S. and solutions to mitigate it.
Scientists discover a universal law across every form of life on Earth, severely challenging evolution theory
Study reveals a Universal Thermal Performance Curve, UTPC, predicting how all life responds to heat, challenging evolution theory.
Politicians are not ignoring you, statistical analysis suggests
If you're registered to vote in the United States and you're not among the richest of the rich, political scientist Peter K. Enns has a message for you: Your voice still matters. So does data analysis ...
Scientists Discover Evolution’s 120-Million-Year-Old “Cheat Sheet”
A long-standing assumption about evolution is being challenged by new research showing that vastly different species can rely on the same genetic pathways to develop similar traits.
Scientists unlock new way to engineer next-generation glass
Scientists have adapted a centuries-old principle of chemistry to fine-tune a new type of glass made from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)—metal atoms connected by organic molecules—that efficiently trap ...
URI Researcher Examines How AI Is Changing the Language of Science
From philosophy conferences to biomedical research, URI Assistant Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology Nic Fisk is examining how computational tools are changing how scientists talk about their research – and what the consequences might be.
Missing and Dead Scientists Spark Conspiracy Theories, Federal Probe
The scientists were all working on space and nuclear research, sparking conspiracy theories, a federal probe, and even comments from Donald Trump.
Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
It is appealing to think something as simple as honey could cure a cold or prevent hay fever, but is there evidence to back up honey’s health benefits? Columnist Alice Klein finds that it has legitimate medicinal uses, depending on the type of honey you’ve got
Scientists Found An 'Impossible' Atmosphere on A Tiny World Beyond Neptune
How did it get there?
The Crossword, May 4: Fire Away
Don’t be shy! Solve our Monday crossword. This week’s puzzle was constructed by Rebecca Goldstein and edited by Hoang-Kim Vu. Rebecca is a research scientist and crossword constructor in the Bay Area. She is also a co-director of Westwords, a crossword tournament taking place in Berkeley, Calif., and online on Sunday, June 14. Defector crosswords, launched in partnership…
Scientists Identify Another Contributor to Global Warming—and It's Everywhere
Researchers found that airborne microplastics trap nearly one-fifth as much heat as black carbon.
I've been a neuroscientist for 20 years: I do 6 things to keep my brain strong and healthy—you don't need to 'optimize every minute'
Neuroscientist Alex Korb shares the daily routine that he swears by to keep his brain feeling its best.
Methane emissions are accelerating warming. Scientists say this plan can help
As G7 discussions turn to methane emissions, more than 250 scientists have issued a plan to accelerate action on one of the fastest ways to slow warming.
Digital Archive Reveals How Research Agencies Fund Scientific Projects
A new digital archive developed by Northwestern scientists reveals how state-supported research funding agencies cooperate with the scientific community to decide to fund scientific research projects and support scientific innovation, as detailed in a recent study.
What we know—and what we don’t—about marijuana’s health effects
Marijuana is far from a “silver bullet” for various illnesses, but it has some promising applications, scientists say
Stanford Merges AI and Data Science Efforts Under Single Institute
The combined institute will retain the Stanford HAI name and be helmed by computer scientist James Landay. Co-founder Fei-Fei Li takes on a new university-wide role as Special Advisor on AI and joins John Hennessy as co-chair of the advisory council.
Stanford merges AI and data science efforts under single institute
The combined institute will retain the Stanford HAI name and be helmed by computer scientist James Landay. Co-founder Fei-Fei Li takes on a new university-wide role as Special Advisor on AI and joins John Hennessy as co-chair of the advisory council.
University of New Haven Professor Elected to Prestigious Academy Committed to Advancing Science and Engineering - University of New Haven
Ganesh Balasubramanian, Ph.D., is one of the newest members elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. The recognition highlights groundbreaking research in high-entropy materials and underscores the growing impact of the University of New Haven’s faculty among Connecticut’s leading scientists and engineers.
Greenland ice melt has surged sixfold and scientists are alarmed
Greenland’s ice sheet is now melting in ways never seen before, with extreme events becoming more frequent, widespread, and intense. Since 1990, meltwater production has skyrocketed, and most record-breaking events have occurred in recent years. Scientists say warming temperatures are supercharging these episodes beyond natural climate patterns.
The da Vinci bloodline is unlocking the genius’s genetic secrets
After centuries of mystery, scientists are edging closer to uncovering Leonardo da Vinci’s biological secrets. A massive 30-year effort has mapped his family across 21 generations, identified living male descendants, and even confirmed shared DNA markers that stretch back to the Renaissance. Meanwhile, excavations at a family tomb in Vinci could provide ancient remains for comparison, raising the possibility of reconstructing Leonardo’s genetic profile.
MIT scientists finally reveal the hidden structure of a mysterious high-tech material
For decades, relaxor ferroelectrics have powered everything from medical ultrasounds to sonar systems, yet their inner atomic structure remained a mystery—until now. Researchers have finally mapped their three-dimensional structure in unprecedented detail, uncovering hidden patterns in how electric charges are arranged at the nanoscale. The breakthrough not only challenges long-standing assumptions about how these materials behave but also allows scientists to refine the models used to design them.
Superconductors by design: Argonne scientists rewrite the rules of discovery
Scientists at Argonne and Northwestern developed a new method to design and predict entire families of materials with the same chemical formula but different structures, enabling more efficient, targeted materials innovation and research.
Citizen scientists can make a difference by observing the world
Citizen scientists volunteers attend an event or do observations through a specific research initiative on their own.
University Health Network recruits senior NIH investigator, more than 70 global scientists
Campaign to attract best and brightest aims to bring in 100 early- to mid-career scientists from other countries
Smart underwear detects lactose intolerance by tracking your farts
A device you attach to your underwear reveals how often you really break wind – and it’s probably more frequently than you think
Record-Setting Retreat of Hektoria Glacier
Scientists relied on satellite data to understand how the Antarctic glacier lost so much ice so rapidly.
AAPI adults have more confidence and trust in medical professionals like doctors and scientists than government officials, and most are stressed about health concerns - AP-NORC
Personal finances are a source of stress for most AAPI adults, along with health concerns. And many are also stressed about discrimination, with 1 in 4 experiencing a hate crime or incident in the last year.
Scientists Make Agar Art Accessible to Students
By swapping lab equipment for kitchen staples, a group of scientists and artists created an engaging, hands-on activity to spread the joy of science to kids and adults alike.
Scientists discover 27 potential new planets that orbit two stars in solar systems far, far away
On ‘Star Wars day’, researchers more than double the number of potential known ‘circumbinary’ planets like the fictional Tatooine, home to Luke Skywalker
Evolution isn’t random. Scientists find the same genes used for 120 million years
Evolution seems to follow a script more often than expected. Researchers found that distantly related butterflies and moths have reused the same pair of genes for over 120 million years to produce strikingly similar warning colors. Rather than altering the genes themselves, evolution modifies how they’re switched on and off. This discovery hints that life may evolve in more predictable ways than previously believed.
Scientists Just Built a Quantum Battery That Charges Almost Instantly
Scientists have built a quantum battery that could make charging almost instant.
Meet The Fossa — The Apex Predator That Baffled Scientists For Decades
The fossa is Madagascar’s ultimate misdirection. Here’s why this predator that looks familiar, acts unexpected and took decades for science to understand.
Helping Scientists Take Their Research Global: 7 Lessons - by Elena Brandt
The W.E.I.R.D research participant problem persists not because scientists fail to see it as a problem worth solving, but because conducting studies in new, unfamiliar places is difficult. But overcoming this difficulty is doable and essential.
What a great Iowa humanitarian, Bill Foege, taught me
The Decorah-born scientist helped eradicate smallpox in India and Somalia, and that was just the start of his career, writes James Merchant.
Mars will tear its own moon apart. Now scientists think it could be sooner – and more destructive – than expected | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
New modelling suggests the Martian moon Phobos’s demise could be earlier – and much more dramatic – than we expected
Serhii Huliienko, Ph.D. on Ukrainian Science, Membrane Research, and Wartime Academic Life
How does Dr. Serhii Huliienko explain Ukrainian scientific culture, membrane research, and the challenges facing scientists during wartime?
Scientists just discovered what coffee is really doing to your gut and brain
Coffee doesn’t just energize—it actively reshapes the gut and mind. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee altered gut bacteria in ways linked to better mood and lower stress. Decaf even improved learning and memory, while caffeine boosted focus and reduced anxiety. Together, they show coffee works through multiple pathways beyond just caffeine.
Scientists just discovered what coffee is really doing to your gut and brain
Coffee doesn’t just energize—it actively reshapes the gut and mind. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee altered gut bacteria in ways linked to better mood and lower stress. Decaf even improved learning and memory, while caffeine boosted focus and reduced anxiety. Together, they show coffee works through multiple pathways beyond just caffeine.
Scientists detect an enormous halo around the iconic Sombrero Galaxy — Space photo of the week
The 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera in Chile has captured an extended halo and a dust-filled disk around the hat-shaped Sombrero Galaxy.
When funding cuts came — these scientists turned to journalism | The Stony Brook Press
Amid funding cuts to scientific institutions across the country, Isako Di Tomassi co-founded the McClintock Letters initiative, a science communication project that publishes opinion pieces written by scientists about their work and why it should continue to be funded. From protecting apples in Washington state to developing novel insecticides in Indiana, the initiative has published over 200 op-eds, all written by scientists defending their federally funded science, across 46 states.
Scientists built a memory chip that breaks the rules of miniaturization
A new kind of memory device may finally solve the problem of overheating and battery drain in electronics. By shrinking components to an extreme scale and redesigning their structure, researchers found a way to reduce energy loss instead of increasing it. The result is a tiny memory unit that improves as it gets smaller—something once thought impossible. This could pave the way for ultra-efficient smartphones, wearables, and AI systems.
Scientists Develop New Antibody For Virus That Infects 95% of People
A crucial milestone.
Scientists Develop New Antibody For Virus That Infects 95% of People
A crucial milestone.
Scientists Say They’ve Figured Out What Causes “Ghosts”
New research suggests that inaudible sound waves produced by old buildings could be behind why we perceive the presences of ghosts.
The 5 most top-secret places governments and scientists have locked away | BBC Science Focus Magazine
From sites housing deadly materials to the locations of precious artefacts, here's the science behind some of Earth's most restricted areas
A mysterious black goo was oozing from this Great Lakes ship, what scientists found inside has them rethinkin
DNA testing revealing microbes never seen before by science.
Scientists identify 10,000 'impossible' exoplanet candidates, potentially tripling the number of known alien worlds
A new study has identified a potentially record-breaking haul of transiting exoplanets, thanks to a machine learning algorithm that analyzed the light curves of more than 80 million previously overlooked stars.
Humans And Animals Are Facing a Hidden Fertility Crisis, Scientists Warn
A potential disaster.
Boosting one protein helps the brain fight Alzheimer’s
Scientists have discovered a way to help the brain clean itself of harmful Alzheimer’s plaques by activating its own support cells. By increasing a protein called Sox9, researchers were able to boost the activity of astrocytes, star shaped cells that help maintain brain health. In mice that already showed memory problems, this approach reduced plaque buildup and preserved cognitive function over time.
Why do crabs walk sideways? Scientists trace it back 200 million years
Crabs’ famous sideways walk may trace back to a single evolutionary moment 200 million years ago. Researchers found that most modern crabs inherited this trait from one ancestor—and never looked back. The movement likely gave them an edge, helping them dodge predators with quick, unpredictable bursts. It’s a rare example of a behavior evolving once and then dominating an entire group.
Scientists discover new enzyme that could supercharge weight-loss drugs
Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered an enzyme called Pap B that will chemically change and update drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy making them stronger and last longer.
University of Iowa propels space science forward with opening of spaceflight lab
In order for scientists to know how equipment will fare in space, they must test tools in a variety of manners — vibrations, thermal changes, if materials will warp when
Scientists sound alarm as dangerous amoebas spread globally
Free-living amoebae are emerging as a global health concern, fueled by warming temperatures and outdated water systems. While many are harmless, some can cause deadly infections and even protect other dangerous microbes. Their ability to survive heat and disinfectants makes them especially hard to control. Scientists say improved surveillance and water treatment are urgently needed.
Scientists Uncover “Astonishing” Hidden Property of Light
A newly uncovered property of light suggests it may be far more self-sufficient than previously believed.
KNOM Supports Scientists
KNOM’s Community Relations Manager Quinn White with Principal Michele Carton in the KNOM studio. Photo by Tate Coler/ KNOM. Nome Elementary School students put their creative and scientific minds to the test during its annual science fair. Over 20 students participated in the event, ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade.…
Scientists Discover Stem Cells That Could Regrow Teeth and Bone
Scientists just uncovered the cellular “blueprint” that could one day let us regrow real teeth.
NASA Aircraft Studies Tiny Particles with Atmospheric Impacts
Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have turned to one of NASA’s high-altitude research planes to characterize
A Scientist Says Humans Will Stop Aging by 2029, Here's the Technology That Could Make It Real
A futurist l predicts humanity could reach "longevity escape velocity", the point where life expectancy grows faster than we age. But is it realistic?
Scientists discover a hidden brain “cleaning” effect triggered by movement
Scientists have uncovered a surprising link between simple body movement and brain health: every time you tighten your abdominal muscles—even slightly—your brain may gently sway inside your skull. This subtle motion, triggered by pressure changes in connected blood vessels, appears to help circulate cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, potentially flushing out harmful waste.
2 ASU professors elected to prestigious National Academy of Sciences
Two professors from Arizona State University have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors awarded to scientists in the United States.The academy announced this week that 120 new members and 25 international members were selected for 2026, recognizing “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.”
Every Bird Counts – Delivering Gold Standard Science for North America’s Birds
Each spring, as migratory birds span continents, our ability to protect them depends on one simple but powerful force: people paying attention. This World Migratory Bird Day, the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” underscores how everyday observers and community scientists provide the essential data that drives bird conservation.
AI method tackles one of science's hardest math problems
Penn Engineers have developed a new way to use AI to solve inverse partial differential equations (PDEs), a particularly challenging class of mathematical problems with broad implications for understanding the natural world. The advance, which the researchers call “Mollifier Layers,” could benefit fields as varied as genetics and weather forecasting, because inverse PDEs help scientists work backward from observable patterns to infer the hidden dynamics that produced them.
3 aging mistakes top longevity doctors and scientists say to avoid
It's hard to tell which longevity trends actually work. Doctors and scientists shared what they wish people would stop doing in the hope of optimizing their health.
Which questions do peatland scientists want to answer most?
Peatlands are poorly understood worldwide, but have important implications for the climate. Nevada scientists compiled the 50 most urgent questions about them.
Coffee is complex. Can science standardize it for the better?
Ask any coffee aficionado, and they’ll tell you: A good cup is about more than the beans. The flavor is affected by lots of things – the roast and fermentation of the beans, the coarseness of the grind, the brewing temperature and even the chemicals in the water used to brew it. But there are very few quantitative ways to assess all the flavor variations. Current industry standards measure the concentration of coffee, but they often miss qualities like the acidity, brightness and fruitness. Scientists at the University of Oregon are trying to change that using a tool called a potentiostat that’s often used to measure the charge in batteries.Interested in more food and beverage science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org and we may turn it into an episode!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Stop-and-go science: Researchers pivot to try to salvage important work
The pace of climate change and funding disruptions force scientists to rethink how research is done.
Don’t toss cannabis leaves: Scientists found rare compounds with medical potential
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new layer of complexity in Cannabis, identifying dozens of previously unknown compounds—including the first-ever evidence of rare molecules called flavoalkaloids in its leaves. These compounds, prized for their potential health benefits, were hidden among a rich mix of plant chemicals that vary dramatically even between just a few strains.
Scientists Print Artificial Neurons That Can Talk to the Brain
Artificial neurons that can “talk” to the brain could reshape medicine and computing.