Life

More Stories in Life

  1. A shiver of scalloped hammerhead sharks swim near the surface, in this underwater photograph. These endotherms may thermoregulate by closing their gills as they go deeper.
    Animals

    Why some hammerhead sharks seem to ‘hold their breath’ during dives

    Scalloped hammerhead sharks in Hawaii seem to limit the use of their gills during deep dives to prevent losing heat to their surroundings.

    By Freda Kreier
  2. photo of a brain sensor
    Tech

    A flower-shaped soft robot could make brain monitoring less invasive

    Once inserted in the skull, the device unfurls flexible sensors that can monitor the brain's electrical activity less invasively than current methods.

    By Bob Hirshon
  3. Illustration of an overhead view of people walking in lines that form the shape of the human DNA double-helix, to represent a single "pangenome".
    Life

    The new human pangenome could help unveil the biology of everyone

    The deciphered DNA includes never-before-explored parts of the genome and better represents the genetic diversity of all humans.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  4. A lightning bolt piercing smoke and lava from a volcanic eruption
    Life

    Ancient giant eruptions may have seeded nitrogen needed for life

    A new study bolsters the idea that on the young Earth volcanic lightning may have provided some materials that made it possible for life to emerge.

    By Bas den Hond
  5. A photo of a bat flying over top a body of water and dipping its mouth in.
    Animals

    Pregnancy may hamper bats’ ability to ‘see’ in the dark

    Tiny Kuhl’s pipistrelle bats make fewer calls when pregnant, which may make it more difficult to hunt prey, lab tests hint.

    By Freda Kreier
  6. A close-up photo of a locust biting into another locust. It is frankly unsettling.
    Life

    Swarming locusts can deploy a chemical to avoid being cannibalized

    Releasing a “don’t-eat-me” pheromone signals a locust has become a toxic treat. The finding could lead to new ways to control destructive swarms.

    By Richard Kemeny
  7. A photo of an RSV vaccine bottle with a syringe, stethoscope and other vaccine bottle on a white background.
    Health & Medicine

    The FDA has approved the first-ever vaccine for RSV

    GSK’s shot, for those 60 and over, can protect against severe respiratory syncytial virus. Other vaccines, including to protect newborns, are in the works.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. A photo of an Andean condor flying.
    Animals

    A 2,200-year-old poop time capsule reveals secrets of the Andean condor

    Guano that has accumulated in a cliffside Andean condor nest for 2,200 years reveals how the now-vulnerable birds responded to a changing environment.

    By Jake Buehler
  9. In this underwater photo, Marine biologist Jessica Pate swims beside a large oceanic manta ray.
    Animals

    This marine biologist is on a mission to save endangered rays

    Jessica Pate and the Florida Manta Project confirm that endangered mantas are mating and sicklefin devils are migrating along the East Coast.

    By Brianna Randall