Science & Health

Discovery, medicine and the climate.

Nearly 2 out of 3 teens and tweens use AI chatbots, new research shows

Most kids say they use chatbots for help with homework and when they're stressed, lonely, or anxious. And how they use chatbots is tied to their mental health.

NPR Health3h ago

Florida sees spike in dengue fever cases

Florida is seeing a record number of dengue fever cases this year as the tropical disease thrives in warming climates.

BBC Science5h ago

What makes this golden eagle chick so important?

The bird's arrival on a managed grouse moor in southern Scotland is seen as a key moment for the species.

BBC Science5h ago

Hazardous driving conditions for Friday as fog warning issued by Met Office

Foggy conditions likely to bring tricky conditions for the Friday morning commute as severe weather warning issued.

BBC Science5h ago

Attenborough-backed appeal secures £30m estate

The purchase of the vast Rothbury Estate by wildlife groups is hailed as "something very special".

BBC Science6h ago2 outlets

Largest woodland bat survey a 'nice story of AI for good'

Some of Britain's rarest and most threatened bats have been recorded in the south-west of England.

NPR Health16h ago

Lost your spark? The "silent sister" of depression, and a quiz to spot her

Always busy, but rarely joyful? Allison Aubrey and Juana Summers discuss a tool to spot "high functioning depression."

BBC Science17h ago

Firefighters celebrate rain during Indonesia wildfires

A number of clips show firefighters celebrating in the rain.

Science Daily22h ago

A single brain signal may explain schizophrenia's most puzzling symptoms

Scientists have identified a weakened brain signal that may connect several seemingly unrelated symptoms of schizophrenia, including sensory processing difficulties, disorganized speech, and greater symptom severity. The surprising discovery could help explain the disorder's underlying mechanisms and potentially lead to earlier detection and new treatments.

Science Daily23h ago

Six popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging

A study of nearly 13,000 adults found that people consuming the most artificial sweeteners experienced a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking skills, equivalent to approximately 1.6 additional years of brain aging. Six popular sweeteners were linked to faster cognitive decline, raising concerns about the long-term brain health effects of common sugar substitutes, although causation was not established.

BBC Science23h ago

South West Water given lowest environmental rating

The water firm is performing "significantly below target" for pollution, the Environment Agency says.

Science Daily23h ago

A 700,000-year-old elephant tooth reveals a lost world where early humans lived

A remarkably preserved elephant tooth dating back nearly 700,000 years has revealed a surprisingly lush prehistoric world where giant elephants and early humans lived side by side. Discovered in northern Israel alongside ancient stone tools, the tooth belonged to a straight-tusked elephant, one of the largest land mammals of the Ice Age.

Science Daily23h ago

NASA discovers Jupiter’s invisible shield is more complex than Earth’s

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has discovered that Jupiter uses a surprisingly complex system of powerful plasma waves and multiple shock regions to defend against the solar wind. The findings reveal major differences between Jupiter and Earth and could help scientists understand the enormous shock waves produced by exploding stars.

BBC Science1d ago

Serious pollution by water industry remains high despite £5bn investment

All but one of England's water companies were rated as "poor" or "requiring improvement" for environmental targets.

Science Daily1d ago

Einstein's equations may explain the universe without dark energy

Mathematicians have uncovered what they argue is a fundamental flaw in the standard model of the universe, potentially challenging the need for dark energy. Their calculations suggest that the mathematical framework used to describe cosmic expansion is inherently unstable and that the universe could accelerate naturally under Einstein's original theory of gravity. The findings also raise surprising questions about whether our location in the universe is as ordinary as scientists have long assumed.

BBC Science1d ago

Mini-gardens for bees on bus stop roofs approved

Living Roofs aimed at boosting biodiversity in urban areas will be installed under a new bus stop contract.

Science Daily1d ago

Less than 42 minutes of bright daylight linked to higher dementia risk

Getting more daylight could be linked to a surprisingly powerful benefit for brain health. In a study of more than 87,000 adults, researchers found that higher daytime light exposure was associated with a 16% lower risk of dementia, with longer exposure to bright light linked to even greater reductions. Remarkably, getting less than 42 minutes of bright daylight daily was a stronger predictor of dementia than six established risk factors.

NPR Health1d ago

Ahead of midterms, Missourians defend transgender healthcare

The campaign to defend access to transgender healthcare for young people in Missouri is taking an unhurried approach to talking with voters about the proposed ban.

NPR Health1d ago

New blood test can detect changes associated with Alzheimer's disease

Brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease can be detected by a new type of blood test -- and a growing number of patients are asking their doctors about it.

NPR Health1d ago

Eleven states cut Medicaid coverage for refugees who are pregnant or children

When Congress cut Medicaid benefits for refugees who are in the U.S. legally, most states allowed them to continue for children and pregnant women. Arizona and 10 others did not.

Science Daily1d ago

128,000-year-old ice in Tibet could rewrite climate history

Ancient ice discovered high in Tibet may be more than 128,000 years old, preserving an extraordinary record of Earth's climate that scientists previously thought had been lost. The discovery reveals a rare glimpse into the last ice age and could reshape our understanding of how glaciers survive dramatic changes in global climate.

BBC Science1d ago

RAF base chemical contamination worst in UK, report says

Testing at RAF Upper Heyford finds "unacceptable" levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Science Daily1d ago

Your blood pressure could be dangerous even when your numbers look normal

Researchers have discovered a small group of brain cells that prevents dangerous blood pressure swings, even when average readings appear normal. The finding reveals a hidden source of cardiovascular risk and could open the door to new treatments that protect the heart and brain.

Science Daily1d ago

Scientists just broke a textbook rule of physics

Scientists have defied a long-standing rule of laser physics by generating X-rays with much higher energies than conventional theory predicts. The surprising discovery reveals how two electrons working together can overcome a previously accepted limit, opening new possibilities for quantum research.

Science Daily1d ago

Meteors don't just burn up. What really happens is far more violent

Scientists have uncovered seven surprising stages that space rocks go through as they hurtle toward Earth, revealing that melting and violent fragmentation, rather than simple evaporation, determine their fate. The discovery could help explain why meteorites scatter across the ground and how dangerous asteroids explode in Earth's atmosphere.

Science Daily1d ago

Scientists discover a hidden oxygen reservoir deep inside Earth

Scientists have discovered that magma deep inside Earth can store surprising amounts of extra oxygen, potentially revealing a hidden contributor to our planet's oxygen-rich atmosphere. The findings suggest that ancient volcanic eruptions may have helped transform Earth's atmosphere billions of years ago, with implications for understanding life on other planets.

BBC Science2d ago2 outlets

Building boom puts 300,000 people in the path of potential Himalayan disasters

The construction of tourism facilities, housing, and infrastructure has surged in parts of Nepal and India's Uttarakhand.

NPR Health2d ago

Trump administration will allow pharmacies to make popular peptides

The Department of Health and Human Services will let small compounding pharmacies make six peptides that haven't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It may not be enough to meet demand.

NPR Health2d ago

What's gone up even faster than gas or rent? The cost of caregiving

A new study from AARP shows caregivers' out-of-pocket costs rose about 60% in the last five years.

Science Daily2d ago

Scientists discover a secret glow in toxic fire salamanders

Researchers have discovered a surprising hidden ability in Europe's familiar black-and-yellow fire salamanders: they glow green and cyan under ultraviolet light. The mysterious fluorescence comes mainly from glands in their skin and their toxic secretions, which can continue glowing for more than 24 hours after being released.

Science Daily2d ago

Scientists discover a hidden 100-million-year-old volcanic system

Scientists have uncovered a long-lost volcanic system in Iran that dates back roughly 100 million years, revealing a hidden chapter in Earth's tectonic history. The discovery sheds new light on the disappearance of an ancient ocean and the powerful geological forces that reshaped the Middle East.

Science Daily2d ago

Earth's ice ages may have been driven by a hidden ocean chain reaction

Scientists have uncovered a surprising connection between Earth's opposite poles that may help explain how the planet plunged into past ice ages. New research suggests that as massive ice sheets expanded across the Northern Hemisphere, they cooled Atlantic Ocean waters that eventually traveled south toward Antarctica. This cooling may have disrupted Southern Ocean circulation, allowing the ocean to absorb and store more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, further cooling the planet.

Science Daily2d ago

NASA’s Artemis I mission reveals surprising radiation levels near the Moon

NASA’s Artemis I mission has revealed that cosmic radiation near the Moon is higher than in Earth orbit, but not by as much as scientists might expect. Tiny experimental detectors also uncovered surprising details about how radiation passes through the human body, offering valuable insights for future lunar exploration.

NPR Health2d ago

Are you an organ donor? Here are some rule changes you may want to know

Transplant teams can talk to families about organ donation before they've decided whether to continue life-sustaining medical care for loved ones. Until now, that has been forbidden.

Science Daily2d ago

The autistic brain processes faces differently than scientists thought

A major new study reveals that autistic children’s brains process faces differently, and those differences may begin earlier than scientists previously thought. Researchers found that brain signals associated with recognizing faces become more specialized as neurotypical children grow older, but show much less change in autistic children. The discovery could help explain why some autistic people have difficulty recognizing faces and reading emotions.

Science Daily2d ago

The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs may have helped ants conquer the world

The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs may have set the stage for ants to conquer the planet, with a surprising boost from “jumping genes” hidden in their DNA. Scientists discovered that bursts of activity from these mobile genetic elements coincided with the rise of major ant groups and may have helped sharpen their extraordinary ability to communicate through smell.

Science Daily2d ago

Scientists discover the immune system’s hidden sense of touch

Scientists at McGill University have discovered a surprising new ability of immune cells that could change how we understand long-term immunity. Researchers found that T cells can actually sense how stiff their surrounding tissues are, using these physical signals to help determine whether they develop into long-lasting memory cells that protect against future infections.

BBC Science3d ago

Weather warning lifted as third storm to hit Scotland eases off

Energy provider SSEN says 2,000 properties in the north of Scotland are still without power after days of high winds and heavy rain.

NPR Health3d ago

Ebola outbreak tops 10,000 cases

The current outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the fastest spreading outbreak and it's not slowing down. What are the obstacles to getting it under control?

NPR Health3d ago

Some people with meat allergies from alpha-gal syndrome turn to exotic alternatives

People with alpha-gal syndrome can have allergic reactions to meat from mammals. Many of those affected change their diets to eat other proteins.

NPR Health3d ago

The Ebola outbreak is breaking records -- and just marked a grim milestone

The current outbreak, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has now counted 10,000 patients and has spread with great speed. How can it be stopped?

BBC Science3d ago

Will a new strategy help protect Northern Ireland's nature?

About 40% of the plants and animals in protected sites across Northern Ireland fall short of meeting the standard for "favourable condition".

BBC Science3d ago

Nanotyrannus skeleton sells for $47.3m in New York auction

The sale of the rare skeleton reignites debate in the scientific community about whether dinosaur remains should end up in private hands or public view.

BBC Science3d ago

Tiny zebra-striped bee sighting a 'huge surprise'

A zebra-striped bee is seen in Somerset for the first time, offering hope in restored saltmarshes.

BBC Science3d ago

Scotland's recycling rates at five-year low. How is your area doing?

Environmental regulator Sepa says households recycled 42.8% of waste in 2025 - down from 44.3% the previous year.

BBC Science3d ago

What's happening to our rubbish?

As Scotland's recycling rate falls to its lowest level in five years, Kevin Keane looks at what happens to our rubbish.

NPR Health3d ago

A 'Green Army' is out to thwart El Niño flooding

In Nairobi, a city prone to floods, workers in the "Green Army" are making preparations to prevent disaster when El Niño arrives.

BBC Science3d ago

Wildlife appeal closes in on £30m target

The government pledges £1.9m to wildlife groups' efforts to buy the Rothbury Estate.

BBC Science3d ago

Regular spaceplane flights planned in project

Spaceplanes could take off on regular flights from Cornwall following an agreement.

Science Daily3d ago

Common drugs may help dangerous viruses spread through the body

A surprising discovery reveals that widely used anti-inflammatory drugs may unintentionally help dangerous viruses spread through the body. Scientists found that JAK inhibitors, prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, can weaken a crucial immune defense against influenza, COVID-19, and other infections. By suppressing genes that normally fight viruses, these medications may leave patients more vulnerable to infection.

BBC Science3d ago2 outlets

What is Nasa's Artemis III mission? And what comes next?

Artemis III will help test crucial systems needed for the planned Artemis IV Moon landing in 2028.

BBC Science3d ago

More high winds hit parts of UK as Storm Boelo clean-up continues

A Met Office weather warning is in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland for much of Tuesday.

Science Daily3d ago

James Webb discovers a scorching lava planet with a “giant sunscreen”

A scorching lava planet 280 light-years away has surprised astronomers by apparently maintaining a thick atmosphere despite conditions that should have stripped it away billions of years ago. James Webb Space Telescope observations suggest that TOI-561 b reflects about 75% of incoming starlight, possibly because of mineral clouds that act like a giant sunscreen. The planet may also be continually replenishing its atmosphere through gases released from a global ocean of molten rock.

Science Daily3d ago

Smithsonian scientists just recreated the first 2 billion years of the Universe

Scientists have created one of the largest and most detailed simulations of the early universe ever made, offering an extraordinary new glimpse into the cosmos shortly after the Big Bang. Called Lumina, the groundbreaking simulation recreates the universe’s first 2 billion years, showing how dark matter, gas, and radiation interacted to give rise to the earliest stars, galaxies, and black holes.

Science Daily3d ago

Do spiders dream? Scientists just found a surprising clue

Scientists have discovered that spiders may sleep in ways surprisingly similar to humans, complete with distinct sleep stages and a dream-like REM state. Researchers at the University of Bonn studied the Australian jumping spider Portia fimbriata, a remarkably clever hunter known for its sophisticated strategies. By recording the spiders over several days and nights, they found clear evidence of regulated sleep, including a REM-like stage marked by eye movements and muscle twitches.

Science Daily3d ago

Scientists discover a surprising clue to why some brains resist Alzheimer’s

Why do some people stay mentally sharp even when their brains show signs of Alzheimer’s disease? Scientists in the Netherlands may have uncovered an important clue hidden in a rare group of immature brain cells. Researchers discovered that these cells remain present even in people over 80, but their behavior differs dramatically between those who develop dementia and those who remain cognitively healthy.

Science Daily3d ago

Mayo Clinic discovers new ways to fight the “zombie” cells that drive aging

Mayo Clinic scientists have uncovered surprising new insights into “zombie cells,” aging cells that linger in the body and contribute to inflammation and disease. Seven studies reveal why these cells are harmful and identify new strategies for targeting them, including a natural compound found in tomatoes. In aging mice, experimental treatments reduced inflammation and improved physical and brain health. The findings could open the door to therapies that combat some of the biological processes behind aging.

Science Daily3d ago

1.9-million-year-old discovery rewrites the story of human evolution

New evidence suggests that early humans reached the Jordan Valley at least 1.9 million years ago, hundreds of thousands of years earlier than scientists previously thought. Advanced dating methods revealed that the ‘Ubeidiya site is roughly as old as the famous Dmanisi site in Georgia, placing both among the earliest known human settlements outside Africa.

Science Daily4d ago

Scientists solve a 30-year mystery behind inflammatory bowel disease

Scientists have identified a hidden cause of inflammatory bowel disease: antibodies that disable the immune system’s natural ability to control inflammation, potentially explaining severe illness in thousands of patients. The breakthrough also solves a 30-year genetic mystery and could pave the way for more precise diagnoses and targeted treatments.

NPR Health4d ago

Rule changes could hinder personal prescription drug imports

For years, some people have been buying their prescription drugs from pharmacies outside the U.S. But changes are coming to personal import rules that could make that harder to do.