The first type of molecule to form in the universe has been seen in space

The chemistry of the universe began with helium hydride. Scientists have just seen it in outer space for the first time.

Dead pig brains bathed in artificial fluid showed signs of cellular life

Four hours after pigs died, the animals’ brain cell activity was restored by a sophisticated artificial system.

Meteor showers dig up water on the moon

Meteorites release water from the moon’s soil, hinting that the moon has water buried all across its surface.

Newly translated Cherokee cave writings reveal sacred messages

Shortly before being forced out of their homeland in the 1830s, Cherokee people of the southeastern United States left written accounts on cave walls of secretive rituals.

U.S. measles outbreaks show no signs of slowing down

This year’s measles cases have blown by 2018’s total, raising the specter that the disease could once more become endemic in the United States.

The herbal supplement kratom comes with risks

The supplement may be behind a small but growing number of deaths.

Parenting chores cut into how much these bird dads fool around

Frantic parenting demands after eggs hatch curtail male black coucals’ philandering excursions the most, a study finds.

Tiny microplastics travel far on the wind

Airborne bits of plastic that originated in cities ended up in pristine mountains at least 95 kilometers away, a study finds.

Warm, dry winds may be straining Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf

Wind-induced melting that occurred during the Antarctic autumn may be accelerating the Larsen C ice shelf’s collapse, which could raise sea levels.

Statisticians want to abandon science’s standard measure of ‘significance’

For years, scientists have declared P values of less than 0.05 to be “statistically significant.” Now statisticians are saying the cutoff needs to go.