Just a little more sleep can make a big difference in college students’ grades

A new study provides the first causal evidence that improving sleep can boost college students' academic performance and GPA.

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NASA satellite captures a spectacular turquoise halo around the Chatham Islands, and an underwater plateau nearly 500 miles long could be the cause of this strange ocean phenomenon

NASA captures a turquoise halo around the Chatham Islands, revealing how an underwater plateau may fuel a vast plankton bloom.

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3D-printed material mimics human tissue’s ability to sort and filter molecules, similar to how kidneys function

Billions of tiny water droplets, packed together in minutes, now form a material that sorts molecules the way your kidneys do.

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The Andromeda galaxy is making far fewer stars than it used to, and astronomers think they know why

Hubble observations reveal the Andromeda galaxy has been making fewer stars for 500 million years, with the slowdown accelerating recently.

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Starlink satellites reveal hidden changes in Earth’s upper atmosphere

Scientists used Starlink satellites to map Earth's upper atmosphere, improving measurements that could help prevent satellite collisions.

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Washington wildfires blanket the Northwest in thick smoke

NASA's Terra satellite reveals the scale of Washington's wildfire smoke as drought, heat and strong winds drive a severe fire season.

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Sleep is more important than screen time for kids’ school success

For a child, sleep quality explained the link between mental health symptoms and school grades better than screens.

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Readers rated AI stories higher than human fiction in study of 2,587 adults

ChatGPT-generated stories received higher reader ratings than human fiction, and most readers could not tell them apart.

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Reef microbes could become a new tool for protecting coral reefs

A DNA study found coral reef microbes differ inside marine reserves, offering a new way to monitor reef health.

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Scientists believe that Mount Thawr may hide rocks more than 800 million years old beneath its famous cave

Mount Thawr rises south of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and is known around the world for its place in Islamic history. During the migration to Medina, the Prophet Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr took refuge in the Cave of Thawr for three nights, according to official Saudi visitor information. Yet the mountain also

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Microplastics have been found in more than 9 out of every 10 samples taken from howler monkeys, an endangered species that lives high in the treetops

The forest canopy can feel far removed from roadside litter, burned trash, and discarded drink bottles. Yet fecal samples from endangered Mexican howler monkeys in Veracruz show that plastic pollution has reached this elevated refuge. Researchers found microplastics in more than 90 percent of 66 samples collected in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. It is the

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You may only need one workout a week to lose body fat

One weekly workout reduced belly fat almost as much as three weekly sessions, giving busy adults a practical exercise option.

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Your brain changes shape as its overall health improves

Increased cortical folding accompanies changes in mental health as people engage in training and brain-healthy habits.

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Carbon that escapes from Arctic permafrost has an unexpected fate

Most carbon released from Arctic permafrost ends up buried beneath the seafloor, where microbes prefer fresh organic matter.

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Dogs fill homes with microbes that help keep babies healthy

Growing up with a dog may help babies stay healthier because certain microbes in house dust support early immune development.

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Satellites expose hidden carbon emissions pouring out of oil and gas sites

Satellite data reveal oil and gas sites in the Middle East and northern Africa emit up to 30% more carbon dioxide than official records show.

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Clouded Leopard Day highlights one of Asia’s most mysterious cats

Clouded Leopard Day 2026 highlights rare forest cats, new tracking discoveries, and why connected habitats are essential for their survival.

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Drinking more water may actually lead to eating more

Scientists found that adults who drank more water during lunch also ate more, casting doubt on a long-standing weight-loss tip.

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Think posture only affects your back? It may also change your mood and the decisions you make

Sitting upright may improve mood and encourage better risk-taking, according to research that links posture to emotions and decision-making.

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Fossil feces helped fuel the growth of early marine ecosystems

Ancient fossilized feces reveal how animal waste helped transform early oceans, feed marine ecosystems, and lock carbon into the deep sea.

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Therapy dogs help stroke patients become more active

A Mayo Clinic study found that therapy dogs helped stroke patients stay more active and engaged during rehabilitation sessions.

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Mummies reveal the first ancient smallpox genomes in the Americas

Ancient DNA from two Chilean mummies reveals the first ancient smallpox genomes found in the Americas, uncovering a vanished viral lineage.

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Doctors found a way to remove forever chemicals and some microplastics from blood

A blood-filtering treatment removed some forever chemicals from patients in an early study, raising hopes for future PFAS removal therapies.

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Humpback whales sing different parts of their songs at different depths

Humpback whales sing different parts of their songs at different depths, revealing how diving behavior shapes a complex acoustic display.

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Indigenous tradition helps save endangered salmon-crested cockatoo

The Huaulu community replaced hunting Salmon-crested Cockatoos with naturally shed feathers for an important coming-of-age ceremony.

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Moving cats indoors is easier than owners expect, study finds

Most indoor cats adjust better than expected, while owners often worry more than their pets during the transition indoors.

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Your brain changes shape as its overall health improves

Increased cortical folding accompanies changes in mental health as people engage in training and brain-healthy habits.

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Climate change could slash rice harvests twice as much as scientists predicted

Current models underestimate how climate change will affect rice harvests, with losses from extreme heat nearly twice as high as expected.

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World’s most educated people have the highest-emission diets

Higher-income groups eat food that generates more greenhouse gas emissions. Tailored food policies could tackle the differences.

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Alpha female hyenas build family dynasties that last for generations

A 29-year study reveals that alpha female spotted hyenas pass down social rank, allowing a few family dynasties to dominate for generations.

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