Obesity dipped in U.S. adults last year for first time in a decade
The Summary Obesity dipped slightly in U.S. adults last year for the first time in more than a decade, a study found. The researchers suggested that might be due, in part, to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. However, other medications or factors — such as the effects of the Covid pandemic — […]
A new timeline of when Neanderthals and ancient humans interbred
The Summary Many people have a tiny slice of Neanderthal DNA, evidence of interbreeding between the species and ancient human ancestors. Two new studies suggest that interbreeding occurred during a limited period of time as ancient humans left Africa. Clarifying that timeline narrows the possible range of time when humans spread to new continents. Hidden […]
Humpback whale makes record migration to find new breeding grounds
The things whales do for love. A humpback whale has stunned scientists with a journey that spanned three oceans and more than 8,000 miles, setting the record for the longest known migration between breeding grounds. Scientists behind the research, published Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science, suggest that the odyssey may be linked to climate change […]
Arctic hit by high temperatures, melting ice and fires in 2024, NOAA report says
The Summary This was the Arctic’s second-hottest year on record, according to a new NOAA report. The tundra has become a source of emissions, rather than a carbon sink, the authors said. The Arctic is heating up far faster than places at lower altitudes as melting ice reflects less radiation back to space. The Arctic […]
Asteroid on ‘collision course’ with Earth burns up above far northeastern Russia
A small asteroid sped toward Earth before it burned out above far northeastern Russia on Tuesday night, sparking a natural light show for residents in the remote corner of the planet, officials said. The flying space rock, which was less than 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) wide, had “been spotted on a collision course” with Earth, […]
Killer whale spotted balancing a salmon on its head
The Summary An orca was seen balancing a salmon on its head in coastal waters in Washington state. Orcas were previously observed doing the same thing in the 1980s. It’s not clear what the behavior means. Southern resident killer whales are critically endangered and most likely on a path toward extinction. A killer whale was […]
Trump picks billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead NASA
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he plans to nominate billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Isaacman, 41, is the founder and CEO of the […]
Mysterious illness in Congo has killed dozens, authorities report
A mysterious disease with flu-like symptoms has killed dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to health officials there. The unidentified illness has killed 79 people and sickened 376 as of Tuesday, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security. In a statement on X, the ministry said […]
Invasive ‘murder hornets’ found in Europe for the first time
The Summary Southern giant hornets, sometimes referred to as “murder hornets,” have been found in Europe for the first time. A study last month confirmed that two pairs of the hornets have been found in northern Spain since 2022. Scientists are hunting for the hornets’ nest. Researchers in Spain are scrambling to find the nest […]
Heat and high temperatures may be result of diminishing cloud cover: study
The Summary Global temperatures in the last two years have been even higher than climate scientists expected. A new study offers a possible reason: Cloud cover has decreased. The research suggests that the reduction may be a consequence of global warming, which would mean the planet is heating up even faster than scientists thought. Temperatures […]