Scientific American.com
The Race to Find Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA Just Took a Major Twist
Scientists have uncovered genetic evidence that they say may be linked to the Renaissance master, but some experts are more skeptical
RFK, Jr., Upsets Food Pyramid, Urging Americans to Eat More Meat
Nutritional guidelines released on Wednesday by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the USDA emphasize “real food” that is high in saturated fat, departing from decades of evidence on healthful diets
Fossil Discovery of New Human Ancestor May Connect Us to Neandertals and Denisovans
Fossils of a human ancestor from 773,000 years ago may be near the base of the Homo sapiens lineage, representing a common ancestor of modern humans, Neandertals and Denisovans
Antarctica Doomsday Glacier Rattled by Hundreds of Iceberg Earthquakes
Capsizing icebergs are violently clashing with the crumbling end of the Doomsday Glacier
Trump Wants Venezuela’s Oil. Why Does It Have So Much?
Trump has cited Venezuela’s oil resources as motivation for capturing the nation’s leader—here’s the geology behind the news
How New Public Health Changes Could Leave Vulnerable Children Behind
A look at how evolving national health policies could reshape the future of kids’ care, from vaccines to essential treatments.
‘Microbubbles’ Help Spread Dangerous Microplastics Through Our Water, Study Finds
Water plays a crucial role in how tiny pieces of plastic enter our environment—and us
Starless ‘Cloud-9’ Is an Entirely New Astrophysical Object
Scientists have found the best evidence yet for long-predicted “failed galaxies”
Congress Proposes Strong Science Funding for 2026
Lawmakers aim to support science research despite cuts proposed by the Trump administration
Astronomers May Have Unlocked the Reason for Betelgeuse’s Bizarre Dimming
Researchers found evidence that a companion star may be influencing Betelgeuse, explaining why the latter star’s brightness changes over time
At CES 2026, AI Leaves the Screen and Enters the Real World
Humanoids, robotaxis and industrial bots dominate the year’s biggest consumer technology show. Their usefulness remains an open question
The South Pole Just Moved. Here’s Why
Antarctica’s New Year’s celebration is unlike any other: every January 1 scientists physically move the South Pole. This is why
Doctor Visits for Flu Hit Highest Level in Almost 30 Years
Almost one in 10 people who visited a doctor in the U.S. in the week ending on December 27 were there for flulike symptoms, according to new data
Wegovy Weight-Loss Pills Hit U.S. Pharmacies—Costs and Treatments Explained
The first GLP-1 pills for weight loss are hitting U.S. pharmacies. But how will they be prescribed?
U.S. Axes Number of Recommended Childhood Vaccines in Blow to Public Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the recommended number of vaccines for children to those that protect against 11 diseases instead of the protections against 17 illnesses that it recommended previously
Stunningly Hot Galaxy Cluster Puts New Spin on How These Cosmic Behemoths Evolved
Scientists detected gas at least five times hotter than previous theories had predicted inside a galaxy cluster from the early universe
Longest-Ever Look at Stormy Region on the Sun Offers New Clues to Space Weather
Scientists observed an active region on the sun for a record 94 days, marking a “milestone in solar physics”
Why Does Life Keep Evolving These Geometric Patterns?
A global catalog shows how creatures across the tree of life balance rigidity with flexibility in remarkably consistent ways
How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions—Behavioral Science Tips That Work
Behavioral economist Katy Milkman explains why most New Year’s resolutions fail and shares how science-backed strategies can build habits that last.
Earliest Human Ancestor May Have Walked on Two Legs
A fossil belonging to an ancient hominin that lived seven million years ago bears the hallmarks of bipedalism, according to a new study
