Science News Explores

A newly discovered microbe is like a mini version of the Hulk. This single-celled protist looks a bit like an insect. It normally grazes on bacteria and other microbes. But sometimes, a small number of this predator - named E. gigatrox - balloon to more t

When you're feeling sad, angry or stressed, it might be tempting to ask a chatbot for help. In fact, a new survey of 12- to 21-year-olds showed that nearly 1 in 5 of them had turned to AI for mental health support. That's up from 1 in 8 just a couple year

A pair of newly found planets are the puffiest worlds ever seen. They're both about the size of Jupiter but with less than 6 percent of its mass. In terms of density, these planets are "like candy floss or shaving foam," says George Dransfield. She's an a

Amphisbaenian (noun, "am-fis-BEE-nee-un") Amphisbaenians are a group of mostly legless reptiles also known as "worm lizards." More than 200 species of them live around the world. They're found in North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Cari

With the help of 3-D printers, even hobbyists can make model rockets or gaming accessories out of seemingly nothing. What if that printer could make new body parts, such as an ear, lung or skin? This may sound like science fiction. But scientists are alre

For the first time, scientists have used an atomic nucleus as a clock. Clocks need to keep a steady rhythm. (Think of the swinging pendulum in a grandfather clock.) The new clocks are based on how light interacts with an atomic nucleus - the collection of

Like many parents, zebra finches sing to their young. But some parental songs seem to prepare the baby birds for hot weather, even before they leave the egg. Zebra finches live in sun-crisped Australian woodlands. On hot days, adults make a rapid, peeping

A bank of fog might seem gloomy. But that mist may carry an unexpected community of environmental helpers. Ground-dwelling clouds can house bacteria that clean the air, a new study finds. Microbes can find air a harsh place, notes Kathleen Weathers. Tempe

Alloy (noun, "AL-oy") An alloy is a metal-based mixture. Familiar examples of alloys include steel, bronze and brass. Some alloys are metal-metal mixtures. Others mix metals with nonmetals. Alloys offer strong, flexible support for skyscrapers, jewelry an

Glowy oils, tinted creams, misty sprays, chalky sticks, lightweight gels. Like many people, my pool bag is filled with many types of sunscreen. But all use the same sun-shielding chemicals. In fact, the allowed ingredient list for U.S. sunscreens hasn't c