Hidden viruses in our DNA could be medicine’s next big breakthrough
You are mostly but not entirely human. If we crunch the numbers, 8 percent of your genome actually comes from viruses that got stranded there. This viral detritus is a …
Countries’ carbon budget math is broken—study finds bias in calculations
The figure shows how national climate pledges (NDCs) compare with global pathways that would limit warming to between 1.5°C and 4°C. Under the approach as proposed in the research, global …
‘He is so very expressive’: Viking Age game piece from Harald Bluetooth’s time may depict a mustached Viking king
The 1,000-year-old “king” piece from a Viking board game is one of the few depictions of a ruler from the Viking era, according to a new analysis. “The figure is …
Can we finally recycle all of the metal in scrap cars?
Scrap vehicles contain many different metal alloys, which can be hard to recycle Marc Hill/Alamy A new way to recycle the metal from scrap cars could eliminate millions of tonnes …
Overworked neurons burn out and fuel Parkinson’s disease
Certain brain cells are responsible for coordinating smooth, controlled movements of the body. But when those cells are constantly overactivated for weeks on end, they degenerate and ultimately die. This …
New organic liquid provides efficient phosphorescence
Molecular structure and photographs of the phosphorescent molecular liquid. Credit: Yosuke Tani The nostalgic “glow-in-the-dark” stars that twinkle on the ceilings of childhood bedrooms operate on a phenomenon called phosphorescence. …
Dozens of mysterious blobs discovered inside Mars may be the remnants of ‘failed planets’
Giant impact structures, including the potential remains of ancient “protoplanets,” may be lurking deep beneath the surface of Mars, new research hints. The mysterious lumps, which have been perfectly preserved …
The deadliest mushroom, the death cap, is still concocting new poisons
The death cap mushroom has been implicated in many people’s deaths, from Roman emperors to modern foragers Shutterstock/Tisha Razumovsky Death cap mushrooms are back in the news. Amanita phalloides has …
Vote by Dutch lawmakers threatens major primate research center
In victory for animal rights activists, research on monkeys would end in 2030
A Mars rock analysis tool proved its mettle on a chance find from Arizona
McKenzie Prillaman is a science and health journalist based in Washington, DC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in science …