Naked mole rats wage bloody wars of succession to choose a new queen, but one colony did something scientists have never seen before.
The naked mole rat queen rules with iron paws. These wrinkled buck-toothed monarchs forbid other females from breeding. That is, until the Queen dies and all hell breaks loose. Then the once pious females rise up and fight each other in bloody battle for the throne. They attack other females, kill pups, and wreak havoc […]
‘The chances of you living 50 years are very small’: Theoretical physicist explains why humanity likely won’t survive to see all the forces unified
When theoretical physicist David Gross was 13, he received a copy of a popular science book, “The Evolution of Physics” (Cambridge University Press, 1938), signed by Albert Einstein. The book, co-authored by Einstein himself, started Gross on a journey into the hearts of atoms, where he eventually helped answer a question that had bedeviled particle […]
Can the US be trusted with the moon? One legal scholar has expressed concern following the success of Artemis II.
Artemis II’s successful lunar orbit was a historic achievement, marking the first manned lunar flyby in more than 50 years and the longest distance ever reached by humans from the Pale Blue Dot. The mission was marked by engineering, scientific, and technological feats by NASA and other astronauts and teams that delivered the crew safely. […]
Cracks are starting to appear in the fusion energy financing boom
This happens in every emerging industry. As founders and investors move toward a common goal, money begins to flow in and that shared vision begins to diverge. Cracks are appearing in the world of fusion power, and I saw it firsthand at The Economist’s Fusion Fest in London last week. That didn’t dampen the overall […]
Blue Origin successfully reuses New Glenn rocket for the first time
Blue Origin has successfully reused one of its New Glenn rockets for the first time in history, a major milestone for heavy launch systems as Jeff Bezos’ space company aims to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. However, the overall success of the mission may be questionable. About two hours after liftoff, Blue Origin revealed that […]
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Watch the first rain of spring “shooting stars” peak in the moonless sky
The night sky is set to bring one of spring’s most anticipated celestial events as the Lyrid meteor shower returns this week. The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, will peak on Wednesday (April 22), offering a rare treat for stargazers. It’s a chance to see a shooting star, and perhaps […]
The largest 3D map of the universe ever shows 47 million galaxies from the Milky Way to ‘cosmic noon’ — Space Photo of the Week
simple facts What is it: The largest 3D map of the universe ever created Where is it: the universe as seen from Earth Share date: April 17, 2026 This snapshot is just one part of the most comprehensive and spectacular view of the universe ever. This is a web-like structure formed by millions of galaxies […]
Can a chicken really run around with its head cut off?
Many chickens meet their end from a severe blow to the neck. But legend has it that chickens can run around without their heads, and there was even a news report that a chicken called Miracle Mike lived for 18 months after a farmer unsuccessfully tried to kill him by chopping off his head. So, […]
$3 million prize goes to duo whose research led to the first sickle cell CRISPR therapy
Two scientists whose research led to the first approved treatment using the gene-editing tool CRISPR have been awarded a $3 million breakthrough award in the life sciences. Laureates Dr. Swee Ley Thein of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Dr. Stuart H. Okin of Harvard University shared the award for basic research […]
700-year-old Bolivian mummies contain evidence of strep throat, the earliest known disease in the Americas
Researchers used ancient DNA analysis to identify the presence of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) in a 700-year-old Bolivian mummy, confirming that streptococcal infections existed in the Americas before European exploration. The strain of streptococcus found in the mummy is similar to modern strains of streptococcus that cause strep throat and scarlet fever. Researchers say […]
