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Orange and black butterfly on yellow flower

Bees and butterflies have trouble smelling flowers in polluted air

Researchers have found that diesel exhaust and ozone make it difficult for pollinators to find flowers, reducing plant-production rates.

By Maggie Galloway

Humans probably didn’t mean to tame sheep and goats
Bones from a village in Turkey tell a 1,000-year story of wild animals becoming livestock. By Philip Kiefer
The volcanic eruption severed Tonga’s internet connection, and repairs won’t be easy
The sole cable linking Tonga to the global internet backbone in the South Pacific was broken after the eruption. By Charlotte Hu
Simple accessibility settings that will make your smartphone easier to use
Bigger text, hands-free controls, and read-aloud options. By David Nield

Science

Power lines.

ExxonMobil’s ‘net-zero’ goals don’t address its biggest source of carbon emissions

Its plan neglects pollution produced when consumers use its products.

By Hannah Seo

Tech

woman with book in face

Researchers used AI to explain complex science. Results were mixed.

This tool summarizes the abstracts of scientific studies in a way that second graders can understand.

By Charlotte Hu

Space

a 3d rendering of a rocky asteroid

Do look up at this asteroid as it whizzes safely past Earth tonight

By Lauren J. Young

Life Hacks

A black Bluetooth computer keyboard on an empty white notebook.

5 cheap and easy ways to upgrade your old tech

By David Nield

Animals

A fossil of a sawfly

Feast your eyes on exquisite fossils from an ancient rainforest (and more)

By Shi En Kim

Health

Kid in surgical mask and green shirt holding a COVID vaccination card because of a mandate

What the Supreme Court’s decision on vaccine mandates means for Americans

By Debbie Kaminer / The Conversation

Latest

By Philip Kiefer Jan 18, 2022

Science

Horned helmets came from Bronze Age artists, not Vikings

Horny Vikings are revisionist history.

A bronze helmet shown from the front and the side. It has curving horns coming out of the sides of the head, and a birdlike face.

By Kendra Pierre-Louis Jan 18, 2022

Science

Can texture change the way food tastes?

What you feel matters.

Mushroom, sandwich, sushi, ice cream, pasta, tomato and other illustrated foods with important texture

By Rahul Rao Jan 17, 2022

Science

How the world’s first ‘quantum tornadoes’ came to be

The atom-sized version of extreme weather.

Whirlpool of water to represent a quantum tornado from a physics experiment

By Megan Zhang / Saveur Jan 16, 2022

Science

The secret to healthy honey bees is hiding in Slovenia

The unparalleled taste of this country’s honey is no accident.

Beekeper in suit opening a wood and glass door to a hive in pastoral Slovenia

By Rob Stumpf Jan 15, 2022

Technology

Take a peek at the Chrysler Airflow, a sleek new EV concept

Major automakers already have electric vehicles on the market. So what does Chrysler have in store?

an electric Chrysler car

By Rachel Feltman Jan 15, 2022

Environment

The West Coast is under a tsunami advisory. Here’s what that means.

Catastrophic waves are unlikely, but residents should be cautious.

choppy waves on a beach with a sign warning people not to swim

By Purbita Saha Jan 15, 2022

Science

Here’s what the CDC is now saying about masks and respirators

The agency doesn't tell people to stop using cloth coverings, but its updated guidelines do put more oomph behind well-fitted N95 and KN95 masks.

A white COVID respirator mask and blue surgical masks hanging on a clothesline in a window

By Colleen Hagerty Jan 14, 2022

Technology

The FCC might force cellphone providers to report data breaches differently

Here’s how the federal agency is responding to an “increasing frequency” of breaches.

typing on cellphone

By Sara Kiley Watson Jan 14, 2022

Science

2021 was the sixth hottest year on record

The past decade is also the hottest the modern world has ever seen.

Cracked, drought-stricken soil with small plant growing.

By Kelsey D. Atherton Jan 14, 2022

Technology

The Navy’s next-gen destroyer concept involves powerful lasers

It's called the DDG(X), and it could be a successor to the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers of today.