Some life-saving drugs also trigger an inflammatory response. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.

The molecular structure of an enzyme from a marine bacterium with potential industrial uses has been determined by RIKEN researchers. The insights they have gained could help make a range of useful compounds through genetic modification. The research is published in the journal Chemical Science.

It's obvious that Earth is a planet. It's obvious that the Sun is a star. But for substellar objects like brown dwarfs, it's not so clear. Researchers are using the JWST to find a stronger dividing line between star and planet that depends on how they formed.

In the past 100 years, the spot has been an architecture firm, carpet wholesaler, and more.

The post Shakespeare’s long-lost London home is finally found appeared first on Popular Science .

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool could make it much easier to discover better materials for clean energy technologies. The system, called StableOx-Cat, helps scientists identify stable metal oxide electrocatalysts—materials that play a key role in processes such as water splitting and fuel production. The findings are published in the journal AI Agent.

Scientists have found a new way to influence superconductivity by adjusting a material’s environment. Researchers have uncovered new evidence that superconductivity can be steered by a material’s surroundings, opening a potential path toward electronics that waste far less energy. Instead of changing the material itself, the team showed that subtle environmental tuning can reshape how [...]

Save on drills, drivers, saws, and pretty much anything else you need to do any DIY project on your list this year. This is a great time to buy into the Ryobi battery platform.

The post The Home Depot is blowing out Ryobi power tools and batteries for the lowest prices of the year so far appeared first on Popular Science .

Learn how analyzing “vowel-like” patterns in sperm whale clicks, uncovers one of the closest parallels to human language in the animal kingdom.

A research team at Leipzig University has identified a mechanism in adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (adhesion GPCRs), a specific group of membrane receptors. This mechanism is essential for the activity of many of these receptors. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that a specific interaction between two amino acids is indispensable for the self-cleavage of these receptors. This insight could pave the way for new therapies for cancer, neurological disorders and inflammator…

How stripping down balsa wood allows researchers to generate solar power after dark.

SpaceX just conducted the first full-duration static fire test with the upper stage of its 'V3' Starship, clearing a big hurdle on its path to launch, which is expected next month.

Listen to this audio excerpt from Rebekah Tolatovicz, a mechanical technician lead supporting the Orion spacecraft’s main contractor Lockheed Martin: At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, there is a fleet of Orion spacecraft in work, and Rebekah Tolatovicz’s hands have helped build each one. Tolatovicz works to build, integrate, and test the spacecraft used […]

and Voyager Technologies have signed an order for the seventh private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than 2028 from Florida. This is the company’s first selection for a private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, underscoring NASA’s ongoing investment in fostering a commercial space economy and expanding […]

Galaxies can suddenly stop forming stars when their gas supply is disrupted or exhausted. Powerful black hole eruptions, supernova winds, or collisions strip away the fuel needed for star birth. Without fresh gas, galaxies enter a “quenched” state, appearing older and redder.  This cosmic mystery reveals how delicate the balance of star formation is, and why some galaxies evolve faster than others. Understanding this process helps astronomers unlock secrets of galactic life cycles and cosmic evo…

Every time you drive, board a plane or water your lawn, you're relying on a material that has quietly powered modern life for nearly a century—reinforced rubber. It's in car and aircraft tires, industrial seals, medical devices and countless everyday products. Yet despite its ubiquity and its central role in the $260 billion global tire industry, scientists have never fully understood why it works so well. Until now.

Experiments and supplies bound for the International Space Station launched on April 11 as part of the agency’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission. As part of the approximately 11,000 pounds cargo that lifted off inside the company’s Cygnus XL spacecraft, NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) launched six CubeSats built by U.S. educational institutions […]

Scientists are exploring a new way to treat familial hypercholesterolemia. Scientists are rethinking how to treat a widespread genetic cholesterol disorder by targeting particle production instead of removal. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) disrupts one of the body’s most important cleanup systems. Normally, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol, is removed from the bloodstream by LDL [...]

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have investigated the giant exoplanet 29 Cygni b — work that could clarify the line between planets and stars.

Learn more about the Lyrid Meteor Shower, which will begin on April 15, 2026, and will peak around April 21, 2026, and the best way to view it. 

After achieving their record-breaking 10-day flight around the Moon, the crew of the Artemis II mission returned home on Friday, April 10th, 2026.

Researchers from North Carolina State University have successfully synthesized bacteriochlorophyll a, which is a photosynthetic pigment found in bacteria that absorbs infrared light. The work represents the first chemical synthesis of this molecule and could give scientists deeper insights into photosynthetic function and photosynthetic energy.

A long-term clinical study suggests that intervening before rheumatoid arthritis fully develops may significantly alter its trajectory. Treating people before rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fully develops may buy them something medicine rarely can: time. A new long-term study suggests that in people at high risk, early treatment with abatacept can push back the start of the [...]

Learn more about new research that analyzed 16,000 ancient genomes and discovered that natural selection hasn’t slowed down.

Submissions are open until Sunday, April 26 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

The post Help name Jackie and Shadow’s new eaglets appeared first on Popular Science .

New research suggests that not just how much people exercise, but how varied their activity is, may influence longevity. A growing body of research suggests that how you exercise may matter just as much as how much you exercise. A new study published in BMJ Medicine reports that regularly engaging in a variety of physical [...]

The head of the U.S. Space Force said the United States' ongoing war in Iran shows the service has become a fully "combat credible" force.

The White House has announced that NASA will work with the Departments of Defense and Energy to put nuclear reactors in orbit and on the surface of the moon.

Learn more about a newly observed insect behavior in which smaller ants clean larger ants.

Species didn’t really matter. Survival and culture did.

They have vowels and some whales 'talk' faster than others.

The USS Cassin Young is one of the last of the war's Fletcher-class destroyers.

The post Visit a WWII destroyer without leaving your sofa appeared first on Popular Science .

From "The Matrix" to "Tron: Legacy," these sweet sci-fi soundtracks are perfect for serious audio aficionados.

Patients are requesting that blood transfusions come from people who they know have not been vaccinated against covid-19, which can cause dangerous delays

A new study shows eating too much bread slows down your metabolism and triggers weight gain.

The Hubble tension is real. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.

Monkeys with around 300 electrodes implanted in their brain were able to steer avatars around different virtual environments

Surprising study reveals peaceful succession is possible.

The post Not all naked mole-rat queens go out in a blaze of bloody violence appeared first on Popular Science .

When their queen dies, naked mole rat females usually wage bloody battles of succession. But peace may be possible, a new study suggests

A comprehensive new study combines decades of research to reveal that we're missing an essential component in our understanding of how the universe works.

Over the past 10,000 years, evolution in West Eurasia has been selecting for light skin, red hair and resistance to HIV and leprosy in humans, according to a new study.

This bizarre mechanical computer has no wires or chips.

Astronomers have made a new discovery through the study of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing new insights into the formation of planets and planetesimals.

Researchers have, for the first time, described the properties of one-dimensional anyons and outlined how these particles can be observed using existing experimental setups. Physicists have traditionally classified all elementary particles in our three-dimensional universe into two groups: bosons and fermions. Bosons typically include force-carrying particles such as photons, while fermions make up matter, including [...]

Two NASA astronauts had some fun during the ISS' capture of a robotic cargo spacecraft on April 13, pretending to hold onto it from into the station.

European researchers tested four-legged semi-autonomous rovers that carry only two instruments. These capable and agile robots could be part of the future exploration of Mars and the Moon. Their autonomy means they can do more with fewer instructions.

Want to make the most of the long spring and summer days? Take to the air with 25% off this Potensic Atom 2 drone, complete with three batteries for an hour-and-a-half of flight time.

A new study adds to the growing body of evidence that lobsters feel pain, with the crustaceans seemingly responding to electrical shocks with emotional distress.

A rodent the size of a large mammal is not something you expect to find in the fossil record. Yet the remains of this astonishing creature have been sitting in plain sight for years, waiting to be fully understood.

Panther has been filmed doing basic household chores, like making the bed and cooking breakfast.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument has completed its five-year mission to build the most comprehensive 3D map of the universe to date — but its exploration of the universe continues.

A new study suggests rare earth elements form in magma above ancient subduction zones, as that magma reacts with substances that are released when one tectonic plate dives beneath another.

Using synchrotron X-ray CT scans of a fossilized, intact embryo, researchers found evidence that the plant-eating mammal Lystrosaurus laid eggs, which answers a key question about mammalian evolution.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has finished the most detailed survey of the universe to date, and the resulting map will help researchers understand an apparent weakening of dark energy

In a letter obtained by WIRED, the Energy Information Administration tells two senators that it plans to develop a mandatory assessment of data centers' energy use.

A detailed analysis of the best-preserved Neanderthal infant skeleton ever found suggests that our ancient relatives grew much faster as young children

The Jupiter-bound spacecraft JUICE spotted the interstellar invader comet 3I/ATLAS spraying enough water into space to fill 70 swimming pools a day.

Science at NSTA Hyperwall Schedule, April 16-18, 2026 Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #1265) for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below. THURSDAY, APRIL 16 11:00 AMTeaching Space Weather in the Artemis Mission EraChristina Milotte11:15 AM5E StoryMaps using NASA ResourcesTina HarteBallinger11:30 AMGrowing Beyond Earth: A Partnership BetweenFairchild Tropical Botanic Garden […]

New research shows that ants can update their sense of who is a nestmate versus who is not throughout adulthood.

A groundbreaking experiment has revealed a hidden reaction at the heart of stellar explosions.

New research shows that a mother helps to set the biological clock for her babies while they are still in the womb.

Researchers report that methane absorption has increased under shifting climate conditions, based on a long-term study conducted in Germany. Forest soils play a key role in regulating the climate by removing large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. A research team from the University of Göttingen and the Baden-Württemberg Forest Research [...]

A new study has uncovered surprising new details about how our eyes process what we see.

If the U.S. is ever to set up a permanent outpost on the moon, it will need nuclear power. The White House just released a road map to get it as soon as 2028

New research identifies a direct connection inside the brain that links stress to addiction‑related behaviors.

The poached ingredients worth $1.3 million were seized in a nationwide hunt.

The post 50,000 illegal shark fins found inside fake car part boxes appeared first on Popular Science .

Comet C/2025 R3 is on a once-in-a-lifetime approach to the Sun, brightening rapidly and offering an unprecedented chance to see it with the naked eye. Don’t miss this rare celestial event!

Daryush Nourbaha, an M.S. in Sustainability Science alum, reflects on the heavy toll of global conflict.

Description An observation made by NASA’s SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) shows the chemical signatures of water ice (shown in bright blue) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (orange) in Cygnus X, one of the most active and turbulent regions of star birth in our Milky Way galaxy. One […]

Researchers are uncovering how underground water systems sustain the Grand Canyon and how they are changing over time. Every year at Grand Canyon National Park, millions of visitors pause at one of the park’s water spigots. Some are standing along the rim, taking in the view for the first time, and step aside briefly to [...]

’s SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) mission has mapped interstellar ice at an unprecedented scale. Covering regions in our Milky Way galaxy more than 600 light-years across, the ice was found inside giant molecular clouds — vast regions of gas and dust where dense clumps of […]

Do declining immune systems explain the trend, or is something else going on? Experts explain

The new Artemis 2 NOVA documentary "Return to the Moon" will air on PBS Wednesday (April 15) to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the moon mission.

Learn how Mount Etna stands apart from most volcanoes, having been formed by pockets of magma held in Earth's upper mantle. 

A strange volcano has been discovered in one of the least explored parts of the Pacific. Its origin doesn’t match any familiar pattern, leaving scientists searching for answers.

An interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. Elisha Krieg at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF) has successfully synthesized and characterized Olympic gels, a long-theorized class of soft materials. Unlike conventional gels, which are held together by chemical crosslinks, Olympic gels derive their structural stability from the mechanical interlocking of ring-shaped molecules, similar to chain mail.

’s Artemis II crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen – smile at friends, family, and colleagues. They shared brief remarks with the crowd after landing at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a […]

An international research team from Germany, the UK, and Greece has found evidence that wooden tools were used in Greece 430,000 years ago. An international collaboration involving researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Reading and the Senckenberg Nature Research Society has identified what are now considered the earliest known hand-held wooden tools used by [...]

Laying eggs may have helped mammal ancestors thrive after Earth’s worst mass extinction

NASA's Artemis III mission takes a giant leap forward as the Space Launch System's core stage is rolled out, bringing humanity closer to returning to the Moon in 2027.

As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war, distant, advanced civilizations would never know it. Earth appears peaceful from far… Continue reading on Starts With A Bang! »

This could help explain how they survived Earth's worst extinction. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.

Dr. Alex Goetz, who passed away in 2025, was a member of the Landsat 7 Science Team and a key figure in the history of Landsat science.

April flowers mean one thing to springtime sky-watchers: it’s time for the Lyrid meteor shower. The Lyrids are always a good bet, and always make the top ten list for annual meteor showers. And to top it off, 2026 is a favorable year for the Lyrids, with the waxing crescent Moon mostly out of the way.

NASA's latest space delivery, the Cygnus XL, has opened new doors for scientific exploration aboard the ISS, including groundbreaking research on stem cells, astronaut health, and quantum physics.

A young Mexican girl, Adhara Perez Sanchez, diagnosed with autism, is captivating the world with her rapid academic achievements. She completed primary school at five and earned a master's in engineering by eleven, boasting an IQ of 162. Driven by a passion for space, Adhara dreams of working at NASA and contributing to Mars colonization efforts.

Researchers have developed a molecular "light switch" for the so-called love hormone oxytocin, offering new insights into how social behavior, partnership bonding, emotions, and mental health are wired in the brain. Professor Markus Muttenthaler from UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience said a light used at a specific wavelength releases neuropeptides, enabling researchers to observe their effects on individual synapses, neurons, and neuronal circuits.

A badly mangled dinosaur skull, once forgotten in a drawer, turned out to be a rare and important discovery. Reconstructed by a Virginia Tech student, it revealed a new species of early carnivorous dinosaur with unusual features never seen before. The fossil suggests some dinosaur groups were wiped out during the end-Triassic extinction, not just their rivals. It may represent one of the last survivors of an ancient dinosaur lineage.

Services Catalog Click here to view the FY26 Services Catalog The catalogs provide service description, chargeback rate, unit of measure, and service level indicators for each NSSC service. Service Level Agreement (SLA) Click here to view the Service Level Agreement The SLA provides information about roles, responsibilities, rates, and service level indicators for all NASA […]

A massive, bus-sized “terror croc” that once preyed on dinosaurs has been brought back to life in stunning detail with the first scientifically accurate full skeleton of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. Stretching over 30 feet long, this ancient apex predator ruled the southeastern U.S. more than 75 million years ago—and now visitors can see it up close at the Tellus Science Museum, the only place in the world with this replica.

Few expected anything unusual at the bottom of this remote sinkhole. But once inside, explorers realized they were looking at something rarely seen, and even less understood.

The Bay State is now home to the first state shark in the country.

The post Megalodon set to become Maryland’s state shark appeared first on Popular Science .

It's all about being able to listen and process information better.

The post Why do dogs tilt their heads? It isn’t just cute. appeared first on Popular Science .

"In the inner corona, a region very difficult to observe, we saw slow solar wind gusts moving three to four times faster than expected."

Learn more about what we know — and don’t know — about the Carnian Pluvial Event.

Deep beneath this quiet New York cemetery lived a staggering number of bees. Scientists did not expect what they would find when they began investigating.

Feeling mentally “on” isn’t just in your head—it can significantly boost what you accomplish. Researchers found that sharper thinking on a given day leads people to set bigger goals and actually follow through. That edge can equal up to 40 extra minutes of productivity. But push too hard for too long, and the effect reverses.

A 17th-century astronomer's blunder just solved a fierce debate about the Sun's magnetic history.