Science News
‘Free Births’ Are a New Pregnancy Trend. Critics Warn About Serious Risks.
Promoters of free birthing reject any type of medical intervention during pregnancy or delivery. The movement has been trending on social media, but critics warn it poses serious risks.
Pace of N.I.H. Funding Slows Further in Trump’s Second Year
The agency has approved far fewer new grants than it did in years past. A renewed effort to screen for disfavored terms and a loss of personnel are contributing.
Youth Suicides Declined After Creation of National Hotline
Suicides among young adults dropped most sharply in states that actively embraced the 988 crisis line, new research has found.
Dark Skies and Dark Energy Converge in West Texas
In the Big Bend region, a portal to the early universe is enabled by the largest dark-sky reserve on Earth.
Musk’s SpaceX Goals Shift Ahead of Its I.P.O.
As SpaceX prepares to go public, Mr. Musk has proposed moonshots that differ from the company’s original aim of reaching Mars.
Does Clothing Recycling Really Work?
Collection services offer convenience, but most garments are shredded into low-grade stuffing or sent abroad to an uncertain fate.
Judge Halts Trump Actions That Have Slowed Renewable Energy
The Interior Department had imposed restrictions on wind and solar projects across the country, prompting developers to sue.
Lyrids Meteor Shower: How to Watch, Peak Time and Weather Forecast
Active since last week, the Lyrids meteor shower is expected to reach peak viewing tonight.
E.P.A., Maryland Sue D.C. Utility Over Potomac River Sewage
In separate lawsuits, environmental regulators said D.C. Water failed to prevent and contain a massive spill of raw sewage upstream of Washington.
Where Are All These Meteors Coming From?
The frequency of fireballs in our planet’s skies seemed to grow in recent months. NASA and other meteor experts can’t agree on what explains it.
What’s in a Name? For These Snails, Legal Protection
Scientists are debating the classification of threatened mollusks that an Indigenous community relies on for their way of life.
Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans
The space agency is counting on Jeff Bezos’ company to deliver equipment essential to the next moon landing, only two years away.
‘Earthset’ Is Captured on Video for First Time
The Earth slips behind the moon in an iPhone video taken by Reid Wiseman during NASA’s Artemis II mission, a sequel to the iconic Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8.
Desmond Morris, 98, Dies; Explored Humans’ Animal Instincts in ‘The Naked Ape’
An English zoologist, he wrote an immensely popular 1967 book arguing that ancient genes, shared with apes, shape our lives. Objections in the scientific world ensued.
How Bruce the Parrot Landed Atop the Pecking Order, Without a Beak
The kea gained fame for learning to use a pebble to groom himself. Scientists were astounded by his next innovation.
These Salmon Got High on Cocaine. That Wasn’t the Craziest Part.
Scientists in Sweden made an unexpected discovery when they exposed the fish to the illegal drug as well as another substance.
A Humanoid Robot Races to a Record Half-Marathon Finish
The android won a half-marathon for robots (and humans) on Sunday in Beijing, achieving a technological milestone while finishing faster than any person in history.
Elaine Ingham, Who Taught That Soil Is Alive, Dies at 73
A scientist and leader in the organic farming movement, she popularized the “soil food web,” an understanding that soil is a complex realm of microorganisms.
The Help That Many Older Americans Need Most
With shortages of medical professionals and an aging population, thousands of community health care workers prevent older adults from falling through the cracks.
Iris Long, Scientific Mentor to AIDS Activists, Dies at 92
A chemist, she lent her expertise in drug research to ACT UP, an organization known for its street protests, and helped accelerate the approval of H.I.V. and AIDS treatments.