Life

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

Briefing: You probably agree with animals on which bird calls, frog noises and cricket chirps are most attractive—new study

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that animals may share preferences for certain sounds used in mating calls.

Briefing: Feeling you belong may keep scientists in ornithology, study suggests

Strategic angle: A new study from Virginia Tech reveals that a sense of belonging may be key to retaining scientists in the field of ornithology.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Life

Briefing: Men are losing a key chromosome with age and it may be deadly

Strategic angle: Aging men often lose the Y chromosome in a growing number of their cells, linked to serious health risks.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Life

Briefing: Sweden's 'old‑growth' natural forests store 83% more carbon than managed woodlands—new study

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that Sweden's remaining old-growth forests are crucial for carbon storage, outperforming managed woodlands significantly.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Life

Briefing: English history's biggest march is a myth—King Harold sailed to the Battle of Hastings

Strategic angle: New research reveals that King Harold's legendary 200-mile march to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 never happened, as the journey was made largely by sea.

Editorial Staff Mar 21

Life

Briefing: New model links carbon-13 spike to Great Oxidation Event 2.45 billion years ago

Strategic angle: Two University of Victoria geologists provide new insights into ancient ocean floor chemistry.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight

Strategic angle: NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft made its second flight on Friday, kicking off a series of dozens of test flights in 2026.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Synthesis of amino acids from carbon reaches 97% efficiency with cell-free system

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking method achieves high efficiency in amino acid synthesis, crucial for biological processes.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Opening a new window into superconductivity by reimagining a classic tool

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking approach to achieving room-temperature superconductors could revolutionize energy transmission.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: From free love to post-apocalyptic survival: A trend of redefining family has emerged

Strategic angle: Chosen families are evolving but remain a cherished—and vital—lifeline for many.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Designing better 2D electronics: Addressing anisotropic conductivity to cut contact resistance

Strategic angle: The high-performance semiconductor devices powering smartphone displays, AI computing, EV batteries and more are increasingly incorporating 2D materials to overcome silicon's scaling limits.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Why some regions are winning the fight against groundwater depletion

Strategic angle: Exploring successful strategies in groundwater management for sustainable water supply.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Climate variability poses a threat to cold blooded animals, research indicates

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that cold-blooded animals struggle to adapt to temperature changes, increasing their vulnerability to climate change.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Officina Stellare wins $2 million contract for lasercom ground station in Spain

Strategic angle: Italian manufacturer Officina Stellare secures funding for advanced optical communication technology.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Moss-associated nitrogen fixation helps sustain plant growth in warming permafrost ecosystems

Strategic angle: Climate warming enhances plant growth in permafrost regions through extended growing seasons and improved root access.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Chemo-optogenetic tool uses vitamin B₁₂ and green light to precisely regulate cell communication

Strategic angle: Researchers at HKUST develop CarGAP to control gap junctions with precision.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective radar imaging satellite

Strategic angle: Rocket Lab successfully deployed the latest satellite for Synspective, enhancing radar imaging capabilities.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: DNA analysis reveals two Hirondellea amphipods range farther and deeper than known

Strategic angle: New study enhances understanding of deep-sea biodiversity and evolutionary processes.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: New paper outlines pathways to equitable flood adaptation

Strategic angle: A new study highlights the disparities in flood recovery efforts, focusing on the challenges faced by vulnerable communities in New York and New Jersey.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Hangar One Restoration Project Completed

Strategic angle: The historic Hangar One has undergone a significant restoration, marking a new chapter for this iconic landmark.

Editorial Staff Mar 20