Science News
Silence, Wolves and the Wild East: Hiking in Portugal’s Côa Valley
A trek in a remote corner of the Iberian Peninsula brought a writer face-to-face with ancient oaks, rewilding efforts and prehistoric cave art.
Nevada Sues Trump Administration Over Colorado River Cuts
The state seeks to block plans for significant water use restrictions over the next decade.
Anatomy of an Autonomous Attack: 5 Alarming A.I. Capabilities
When OpenAI’s agents went rogue in July, they demonstrated ingenuity and drive beyond what many experts imagined — a dangerous harbinger of what such bots could do in the future.
The Ruthless Efficiency of Ultrapotent Street Drugs
Five decades after the “war on drugs” sought to make substance abuse unaffordable, illicit drugs are cheaper and more powerful than ever. A visit to Baltimore shows why.
Trump Shuns E.V.s and Wind Power, But He’s Pouring Billions Into Batteries
The president may disdain clean energy tech, but energy storage is also crucial for A.I. and defense — and China’s dominance in the sector has officials worried.
Why Getting High Has Only Gotten Cheaper
The “war on drugs” sought to reduce substance abuse by driving up prices and lowering demand. Today, street drugs are less expensive and more dangerous than ever.
Wildfires Are Turning Forests in the American West Into Shrubland
Towering woodlands in the West are being permanently replaced by tracts of spiky shrubs. Conditions “just aren’t normal anymore,” one researcher said.
Quiz question: It’s a Greek letter and a guy’s name. What does it mean?
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Mapping America’s Largest ‘Dead Zone’
In a decades-long crisis, marine life has suffered as oxygen periodically dwindles in waters along the Gulf Coast.
U.S. Cuts Colorado River Water for Arizona, California and Nevada
Arizona’s share of the river will shrink by a third, likely increasing reliance on groundwater and raising pressure on agriculture.
England’s Ancient Trees Are Dying in the Heat
Extreme temperatures and drought are adding to the stress on oak trees that have lived for hundreds of years and play a key role in the national imagination.
Trump Announces a New Policy for a ‘Golden Age of Space Transportation’
The policy aims to greatly increase the number of spacecraft launches and re-entries.
Climate: Trump vs. California
At least a half-dozen federal agencies have moved to undermine the state’s environmental efforts.
Climate: Saving Old Trees Might Save Lives
We know that trees are good for cities. A new study finds that mature trees are especially good.
How Trump Is Trying to Crush California’s Climate Policies
At least a half-dozen federal agencies have taken action against the state that has led the nation in environmental protections.
Moderna’s Shift to Cancer Company Lifts Stock Up 177%
The company’s fortunes cratered as demand for Covid-19 vaccines plummeted. But it was busy working on something else.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
If multiple antidepressants haven’t helped, there are other avenues to explore.
This Skeleton is the First Confirmed Death by Trebuchet
Researchers believe a young man buried inside a Scottish castle was a victim of the long-feared siege weapon, more powerful than a typical catapult.
NASA’s Attempt to Save the Swift Telescope Has Failed
NASA’s Swift Observatory, which studies some of the most powerful explosions in the universe, will soon burn up in the atmosphere.
Chinese Start-Up Lands Reusable Rocket for the First Time
The milestone by the private company, LandSpace, could put China closer to challenging SpaceX’s rule in lower-cost spaceflight.