5,000-year-old burial of man with battered skull found in kiln in Germany — and he may have been a human sacrifice
An injured man from the Corded Ware culture was buried in a pit previously used as a kiln, and he may have been sacrificed.
How to see Venus vanish behind the moon during the day Wednesday — without any special equipment
On Wednesday (June 17), the moon will pass between Earth and Venus, causing the hellish planet to temporarily disappear from the daytime sky. Here's what it wil...
A Texas-size chunk of winter sea ice is missing from Antarctica — and it's probably not coming back
An area of ice nearly the size of Texas has failed to form over the Bellingshausen Sea, off western Antarctica, as researchers investigate the links between sea...
Wreck of World War II Japanese 'hellship' that sank with more than 1,000 Allied POWs on board discovered off the Philippines
The remains of a Japanese "hellship" that was torpedoed in 1944 and sank with more than 1,000 POWs on board has been found off the coast of the Philippines isla...
'Is having two legs useful' in space?: Astronaut John McFall explains what life in orbit might be like for the first physically disabled person in space
ESA astronaut John McFall tells Live Science what it would mean to become the first physically disabled person in space — if he travels to the first-ever comm...
The world's first nuclear clock just ticked on — and it could help detect a fifth fundamental force of physics
By using a rare thorium nucleus as a timekeeper, physicists have demonstrated the first working nuclear clock, a device that could lead to even more precise clo...
'The system is critically stressed': San Andreas and San Jacinto faults scarily close to major earthquake, study finds
The San Andreas fault and a neighboring fault in Southern California have reached their highest levels of tectonic stress in 1,000 years, and a rupture at one f...
Elusive dwarf fox, feared extinct, photographed for the first time on island off Yucatán
The first-ever photos of a Cozumel fox prove that the mysterious island predator is still alive in Mexico but in dire need of conservation, according to researc...
Earth-based telescope shares image of Artemis II capsule near the moon — one of the farthest photos of humans ever taken
A blurry photo captured by the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia shows Artemis II's Orion capsule circling the moon more than 200,000 miles away, making it ...
Indonesia's near-identical, 'Twin Peaks' volcanoes form striking mirror image — Earth from space
A 2021 astronaut photo shows the surprising similarities between Mount Sundoro and Mount Sumbing, which lie at the heart of Java, Indonesia.
Musk's SpaceX buys AI coding start-up for $60bn days after IPO
Elon Musk's rocket company has agreed to buy Cursor, which uses AI to automate the process of writing code.
Dangerously hot and humid: Rising temperatures in the US make outdoor exercise hazardous
In a warming world, outdoor exercise may be hindered by performance-impairing heat more often than it was in the past.
Lavish Roman villa discovered outside Rome's walls may have been frequented by Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius
The villa, which came to light because it was illegally excavated, was found in an area frequented two millennia ago by the emperors Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and...
Atacama Desert’s center dried out 20 million years earlier than previously thought — before the Andes formed
Chile's Atacama Desert, which gets less than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) of rainfall each year, started to form more than 40 million years ago — 20 milli...
Diagnostic dilemma: Brain scans following a man's hospital visit for leg weakness revealed a surprising finding
A man went to hospital complaining about weakness in his left leg, and subsequent brain scans revealed his abnormally small brain.
'Melted in a pot somewhere': Vikings used Islamic silver coins to make their early pennies, study finds
The silver in a Viking Age hoard found in Denmark was from melted-down coins from the faraway Islamic world, a new study finds.
'I never thought we'd see one alive': Elusive goblin shark captured on camera for the first time
Researchers have filmed goblin sharks in the deep sea for the first time. Until now, these sharks had been seen alive only after being hauled up to the surface ...
'They are trying to tame nature': China is building the world's biggest dam in an earthquake-prone region of Tibet
China is building a dam system that will generate more hydroelectric power than the U.S. generates yearly. But the project comes with huge risks for people down...
Hundreds of hidden earthquakes discovered beneath Antarctica — and they're happening in a very odd location
Antarctica was long thought to be seismically calm, but new technology makes it possible to detect unexpected types of earthquakes beneath the ice.
An ancient piece of the moon found in Africa hints at a long-ago collision that turned the lunar surface molten
A meteorite shows evidence that an ancient crash on the moon 3.5 billion years ago was so powerful, it turned the surface molten.
Mask of Mictlantecuhtli: A 500-year-old mask of the Aztec god of the underworld, who tore apart the dead as they entered his realm
This skull-shaped mask was made to be used in a ritual involving the Aztec god of death.
New microplastics research examines River Thames
Water samples are assessed for pollution levels and any impact climate pressures may be having on the river system.
Remote volunteers use CCTV to save red squirrels
The project will allow volunteers to help defend red squirrels by monitoring footage remotely.
Volunteers could revive scarce bog insect numbers
The project's long-term goal is to reintroduce the wetland insect to more sites.
Why Delhi feels hotter than what temperatures show
We spent a day out in the city with a thermal camera, recording surface temperatures indoors and outdoors.
UK electric car sales target to be weakened
The new target hasn't yet been decided, with different numbers under consideration, the BBC understands.
Fears dogs to blame for drop in little tern numbers
It has been the worst year for dogs getting too close to the nesting birds, a wildlife trust says.
Bow-Wow, Ding-Dong, Pooh-Pooh: Expert explains early theories of how human language evolved — and their silly names
There are many theories as to how human language first evolved. But none completely explains why it happened.
Famous child mummies in Andes may belong to kids who were sacrificed to 'ritually anchor' the Inca's presence as their empire expanded
An analysis of corn, cassava and coca plants discovered with sacrificed Inca children reveals they died during the reign of one of the last Inca emperors.
Neuroscientists are searching for the 'cellular substrate of loneliness'
Neuroscientists are discovering that spending time with others may be a basic biological necessity, like need for food or water.
Artemis II crew captures rare double auroras on the dark side of Earth as they zoom toward the moon — Space photo of the week
The four astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission captured more than they bargained for when they photographed the nightside of Earth, right after starting the...
Do you really have to wash rice before you cook it?
Rice is eaten by more than half of the world's population daily. Should everyone be washing it before it's cooked?
How forgotten voyages helped track El Nino
A century ago, research ship William Scoresby left Hull for pioneering work in the southern oceans.
Rare butterfly find drives conservation research
Gareth Tilley is credited as being the first to discover the elusive black hairstreak in Surrey.
NASA's experimental X-59 jet breaks sound barrier twice, reaching Mach 1.4 in step toward 'quiet supersonic' technology
NASA and Lockheed Martin's experimental X-59 aircraft has broken the sound barrier twice, achieving a top speed of Mach 1.4. The feat could set the stage for "q...
'This might be the point of no return': Experts on the current measles outbreak and where we go from here
Live Science spoke with two authors of a "progress report" detailing America's ongoing measles outbreak.
Science news this week: El Niño arrives, the Artemis III crew are revealed, a 'cold blob' expands across the Atlantic, and a forgotten note from Richard Feynman gets deciphered
June 13, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend
Has all the water on Earth been peed before?
Water, water, everywhere … has all of it been peed out at least once?
Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX soars in stock market debut
Musk is now worth $1.11tn according to the Bloomberg rich list, while SpaceX listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange with a value of $2.2tn.
World's rarest great ape decimated by 4 days of extreme rain, with 7% of population lost to cyclone
Around 58 of Indonesia's Tapanuli orangutans were crushed or buried alive by landslides brought on by the climate-change-fueled Cyclone Senyar.
'I was really amazed': On the edge of the Milky Way, a dwarf galaxy is being ripped in half by its big sibling
A new study shows that the Small Magellanic Cloud is being pulled apart by its larger sibling on the Milky Way's periphery, upending our understanding of our co...
Elon Musk gets public trading of SpaceX under way from Texas
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said he gave the company "less than a 10% chance of succeeding at all" when it first started, and it is now going public "with the larg...
What is the super new Moon?
A super new Moon is coming. While you won’t be able to see it, it's still going to have an impact. But, what exactly is it and what does it have to do with th...
Have you ever heard of Earthshine?
Sophia Herod looks at how the Moon can be lit by sunlight reflected from the Earth.
These patients' hearts stopped a dozen times a day. An innovative procedure has transformed their lives.
People with a rare condition experience "pauses" in their heart beat that cause them to faint. A new procedure could change their lives, research suggests.
Ancient squirrel poop from Arctic permafrost contains DNA from mammoths, bison, horses and big cats
Prehistoric squirrel droppings were analyzed and found to contain genetic material of numerous ice-age beasts, plants, microbes and fungi.
Earth's underground fungal network is so massive, it would span 10% of the Milky Way, map reveals
The first global map of subterranean fungi networks reveals how massive its reach is worldwide.
Century-old tuberculosis vaccine could help treat diabetes, trials hint. How?
Repeated doses of a tuberculosis vaccine lowered insulin needs in patients with two forms of diabetes, new trial data show. But more research is needed to prove...
The Milky Way returns: How to take breathtaking photos of our galaxy this summer
Learn how to photograph the Milky Way in June with expert astrophotography tips on dark skies, camera settings, timing and composition.
BBC Inside Science
How engineers fulfilled Gaudi’s once impossible vision for the Sagrada Familia.
El Niño is officially here, and will be among the strongest ever recorded, NOAA announces
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gives the climate event a 63% chance to "rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record goi...
Four days of extreme rain killed 7% of world's rarest orangutans, study says
Climate change-induced weather events are pushing orangutan populations to extinction, says a study.
What is El Niño and why could it mean record temperatures?
Global temperatures are expected to rise in the coming months as El Niño begins.
El Niño under way and threatens weather extremes, scientists say
An El Niño event has officially started, say US scientists, raising fears of extreme weather and higher temperatures.
Complete skin of an adult horse found with 10th-century woman and newborn in rare Siberian burial
Archaeologists found a rare medieval burial of a woman, newborn child and horse in southern Russia.
Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?
Some UV exposure is essential for our wellbeing, but too much is damaging and can cause skin cancer.
Scientists discover 5 million-year-old whale graveyard stretching for hundreds of miles in the Indian Ocean
Researchers have discovered a "megasite" of dead whales along with new species of marine life feasting on the corpses.
Artificial turf contains 400 chemicals tied to cancer and hormone disruption. But is it unsafe?
A recent, 10-year study from California identified many known or suspected carcinogens in artificial turf. Does it pose a danger?
Scientists were excited about a blood test for many cancers — but it failed a big trial. Here's what to know.
Emerging tests promise to screen for many cancers at once, but one just failed in a big trial. Will these diagnostics deliver on their promise someday?
This 'crawling' robot rolled around the moon and took a historic photo
A morphable moon robot operated for 100 minutes in 2024, allowing investigators to get images of an upside-down spacecraft on the lunar surface.
In a first, scientists translated an entire viral genome so a quantum computer could read and analyze it
Scientists have uploaded a viral genome to a quantum computer, marking an important step for the future of quantum-enabled advancements in biology.
'Geminid Symphony' and 'Galactic Gandalf': See the breathtaking views of our home galaxy from the 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest
Stunning views of the night sky abound in photographs worldwide submitted to this year's Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest.
Genetically modified worms can now produce and deliver drugs inside a living body, scientists say
In a proof-of-concept lab experiment, scientists demonstrated that intestinal parasites could make and release therapeutic agents inside a living host.
Mysterious 'cold blob' in the Atlantic is a sign of the Gulf Stream weakening — and that's bad news for the US East Coast
The Atlantic's enigmatic "cold blob" has once again been linked to a weakening of key ocean currents and a devastating climate tipping point.
Scientists discover giant, fan-shaped structure deep beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet
A mysterious geological structure that resembles a human hand with outstretched fingers has been revealed beneath East Antarctica. The discovery shows the froze...
Diagnostic dilemma: Man who donated his body after death had rare 'triple penis'
Supernumerary, or extra, penises are very uncommon. Medical students uncovered a particularly rare case while dissecting a cadaver.
2,000 years ago in Scotland, people removed a corpse's brain and fashioned the arm bones into tools
A new analysis of 2,000-year-old skeletons found in northern Scotland has revealed an unusual funeral ritual involving the manipulation of dead bodies.
3 new Ebola vaccines are being fast-tracked amid the current outbreak — when could they be ready?
The Bundibugyo virus driving the current Ebola outbreak has no approved vaccine, but researchers are leveraging decades of vaccine innovation in an effort to ch...
Nasa names next astronauts for Artemis Moon programme
Nasa names its next Artemis crew, though they will not be walking on the Moon or even going anywhere near it.
Nasa has named the Artemis III crew - what is their mission?
Artemis III will help test crucial systems needed for the planned Artemis IV Moon landing in 2028.
Rare footage captured of Great White shark in Mediterranean Sea
A volunteer diver has described shaking as he filmed his encounter with an endangered Great White shark between Tunisia and Sicily.
Astronauts return to ISS after sheltering during air leak repair attempt
Russian attempt to repair tunnel area sparks safe-haven procedure for five other astronauts onboard.
Mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction
Swampy mangrove forests are staging a surprise comeback - which is good news for coastal communities and the climate.
BBC Inside Science
What role will humans play in the future of scientific research?
Failing sea defences 'disaster' for nature reserve
An internationally important nature reserve in Hampshire is under threat from failing flood defences.
Next El Niño could be strongest in decades
A new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin in a matter of weeks, the UN has warned, boosting temperatures on a planet already under strain ...
'Killer fungus' could be good news for habitats decimated by invasive moss
A newly discovered species raises hope that some native British habitats could be restored.
Exploding rocket casts doubts over Nasa's Moon plans
Explosion of Blue Origin rocket is a setback for the company and for Nasa's Moon plans.
Farmers warn food security can't be taken for granted
Farmers at the Bath and West Show say there are strong parallels between energy and food security.
BBC Inside Science
From Hay Festival 2026, a dive into a big year for our oceans.
BBC Inside Science
El Niño is stirring in the Pacific Ocean and may well be one of the strongest yet.
Why cheap power could matter more than clean power in the push for net zero
The question of how important making our electricity clean is to going green is coming under increasing scrutiny
From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa's historic mission to the Moon
BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle reflects on how it felt to watch history being made.
The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth
As the astronauts pass behind the Moon they will experience a moment of silence and solitude as communication with the Earth is blocked.
The Interview
Rebecca Morelle speaks to astronaut Jeremy Hansen ahead of the Artemis II Moon mission.
First stop, the Moon. Next stop, Mars? Why Nasa's mission matters
Lunar discoveries and a space race with China is seeing the US invest time and money to get to the Moon - and beyond.
Higgs boson breakthrough was UK triumph, but British physics faces 'catastrophic' cuts
Britain is preparing to cancel its contribution to one of the Large Hadron Collider's next major upgrades.
Artemis II: Nasa targets early April for Moon mission
Nasa says technical problems that have delayed the rocket are fixed and it is ready for launch.
The science of soulmates: Is there someone out there exactly right for you?
For many, the idea of soulmates still shapes how love is understood.
The debate about whether the NHS should use magic mushrooms to treat depression
Many clinical trials to test the use of psychedelic medicines for conditions such as depression have been underway since 2022 - with surprising results
COP30: Trump and many leaders are skipping it, so does the summit still have a point?
The US president is notably absent from these UN climate talks, as are other world leaders, all of which prompts questions about the purpose of COP today.
