Anthropology
‘The Five-Million-Year Odyssey’ reveals how migration shaped humankind
A globe-trotting trek through history shows how past population migrations changed the course of human biology and culture.
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Cover Story
The discovery of the Kuiper Belt revamped our view of the solar system
Thirty years ago, astronomers found the Kuiper Belt, a region of space home to Pluto and other icy worlds that helped show how the solar system evolved.
Reviews & Previews
Science Visualized
Life
Here’s how sea anemones launch their venomous stingers
Starlet sea anemones use speedy projectiles to sting predators and prey. New images capture a detailed look at these weapons in action.
Notebook
Space
Amateur astronomers’ images of a rare double aurora may unlock its secrets
With breathtaking videos, citizen scientists have shown researchers a new pattern of auroras that may solve the mystery behind a strange red glow.
Features
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A coral pollution study unexpectedly helped explain Hurricane Maria’s fury
Tracking coral reef pollution in Puerto Rico, conservation researchers discovered by chance how the coastal ocean fueled Hurricane Maria.
More Stories from the August 27, 2022 issue
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Tech50 years ago, genes eluded electron microscopes
In the 1970s, scientists dreamed of seeing genes under the microscope. Fifty years later, powerful new tools are helping to make that dream come true.
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MathHere’s the quickest way to grill burgers, according to math
The fastest way to cook a burger involves flipping the patty about three to four times, a mathematician says.
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PlantsThis pitcher plant species sets its deathtraps underground
Scientists didn’t expect the carnivorous, eggplant-shaped pitchers to be sturdy enough to survive below the surface.
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Health & MedicineA new technology uses human teardrops to spot disease
A proof-of-concept technique to analyze microscopic particles in tears could give scientists a new way to detect eye disease and other disorders.
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Science & SocietyFriendships with rich people may help lift children out of poverty
For poor children, forming connections to richer peers is linked to greater earnings later in life, researchers say.
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PaleontologyMammal ancestors’ shrinking inner ears may reveal when warm-bloodedness arose
An abrupt shift in inner ear shape of mammal ancestors 233 million years ago, during a time of climate swings, points to evolution of warm-bloodedness.
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Quantum PhysicsQuantum entanglement makes quantum communication even more secure
Bell tests proved that quantum mechanics really is “spooky.” Now they’ve made quantum communication even more hacker-proof.
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LifeLike bees of the sea, crustaceans ‘pollinate’ seaweed
Crustaceans shuttle around red algae’s sex cells, helping the seaweed reproduce in a manner remarkably similar to flower pollination.
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Health & MedicineA shot of immune proteins may protect against malaria for months
A monoclonal antibody for malaria passed an early hurdle and now will be tested in children in Africa, who are most at risk of dying from the disease.
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PhysicsTwo black holes merged despite being born far apart in space
A closer look at gravitational wave data reveals 10 overlooked mergers, including one between black holes that probably found each other late in life.
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AnthropologyFamine and disease may have driven ancient Europeans’ lactose tolerance
Dealing with food shortages and infections over thousands of years, not widespread milk consumption, may be how an ability to digest dairy evolved.
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HumansAncient DNA links an East Asian Homo sapiens woman to early Americans
Genetic clues point to a Late Stone Age trek from southwestern China to North America.