Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Water-repelling surfaces reveal surprising charging effects

Infrastructure lens: Materials that repel water are used in countless applications, including industrial separation processes, routine laboratory pipetting, and medical devices. When water touches these surfaces, the interface where they mee

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

If life exists in Venus's atmosphere, it could have come from Earth

Infrastructure lens: The theory of panspermia holds that life is spread through the cosmos via asteroids, comets, and other objects. When the building blocks of life emerge on one planet, impacts can eject surface material into space, which

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

New Method Enhances Air Temperature Forecasts Without Additional Simulations

A collaborative research effort has led to a novel approach that significantly improves air temperature forecasting capabilities for one to five weeks ahead, utilizing existing models.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

New Nanoparticle Therapy Targets Lung Cancer and Muscle Wasting

Oregon State University researchers have created a nanoparticle-based therapy that addresses both lung cancer and the muscle-wasting condition associated with it, as detailed in a recent publication.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Advancing Synthetic Cells: Enhancing Flexibility in Cellular Function Replication

Synthetic biology aims to create artificial systems that replicate cellular functions, with synthetic or biomimetic cells enabling basic life processes.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Mayo Clinic's Dual-Drug Nanotherapy Enhances Survival in Glioblastoma Models

Mayo Clinic has developed a dual-drug nanotherapy that effectively delivers cancer treatments to brain tumors, showing promising survival extensions in preclinical glioblastoma models.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

New Microscopy Platform Enhances Understanding of Biomolecular Chemistry

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a microscopy platform that reveals hidden biomolecular chemistry linked to weak magnetic fields, expanding the capabilities of fluorescence imaging.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Yale Research Challenges Dark Matter Paradigm

Recent findings from Yale's Wright Lab, led by Sophia Hollick, question established dark matter theories, impacting astrophysical models and research directions.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Advancements in Tissue Engineering Through 3D Cell Spheroids

Researchers are investigating 3D cell spheroids, termed 'snowballs', which could enhance biological growth and drug testing capabilities.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

EPA Initiates Monitoring of Microplastics in U.S. Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new initiative to monitor microplastics and pharmaceutical residues in U.S. drinking water supplies.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Rapid Onset Drought in Puerto Rico: Infrastructure Implications

A flash drought in Puerto Rico has been identified, raising concerns about the rapid depletion of water resources and its impact on local infrastructure.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Advancements in Diamond Quantum Sensors: Q Factor Exceeds One Million

Research at UC Santa Barbara reveals significant enhancements in diamond quantum sensors, with a Q factor surpassing one million, indicating improved operational capabilities.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Bacteria Integrate Forever Chemicals into Cell Membranes: Implications for Environmental Systems

A recent study from the University of Tennessee Knoxville reveals that bacteria can incorporate persistent pollutants, known as 'forever chemicals,' directly into their cell membranes.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Understanding the Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms and Their Implications

This analysis delves into the factors behind the increase in red tides, focusing on their implications for public health and environmental systems.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

New Analysis Suggests Geometric Thinking May Emerge from Wandering Behaviors

A recent analysis from New York University challenges the long-held belief that geometric understanding is exclusive to humans, suggesting it may arise from wandering behaviors.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Fossil Evidence in Tanzania Sheds Light on Early Butchering Practices of Elephas (Paleoxodon) recki

Recent fossil findings in Tanzania provide critical insights into the butchering practices of early humans, specifically regarding the giant elephant species Elephas (Paleoxodon) recki, dating back nearly two million years.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight

Infrastructure lens: Editor’s note: This release was updated at 7:28 p.m. EDT on April 6, 2026, to reflect Orion’s final closest approach to the lunar surface from about 4,070 miles to about 4,067 miles. NASA also updated the farthest distan

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Impact of Climate Change on Tree Swallows' Nesting Patterns

A recent study indicates that tree swallows are nesting earlier due to climate change, but early spring cold snaps pose significant challenges for nestling survival.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Mission Overview

Infrastructure lens: NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24, will deliver approximately 11,000 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station. This mission will be the s

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

AI-Driven Framework for Assessing Community Resilience to Natural Hazards

A new deep learning framework aims to enhance the evaluation of community resilience against natural hazards, providing critical insights for infrastructure protection.

Editorial Staff Apr 6