National Geographic News

Pictures We Love: Best of May

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:15:57 -0400

From Amazon antics to a mist-shrouded Taj Mahal—see National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures from last month.

Men's Offices Have More Bacteria, Study Finds

Christine Dell'Amore — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:50:38 -0400

Your work space might harbor about as many bacteria species as a bathroom, a new study suggests—and they come mainly from your own body.

Partial Lunar Eclipse Monday—During a "Supermoon"

Ker Than — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:25:48 -0400

Next week Earth's shadow will seem to take a bite out of a slightly larger-than-normal full moon, thanks to an unusual celestial alignment.

SpaceX Dragon Landing Caps "Grand Slam" Mission to Space Station

Ker Than — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:46:52 -0400

The private spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific after a nearly flawless mission to the International Space Station.

Pictures: Mystery Shipwreck Found With Muskets, Beer Bottles

Thu, 31 May 2012 17:32:53 -0400

See a 19th-century wreck that has experts stumped. The site's few clues include guns, beer bottles, and copper outlines of a missing hull.

Paralyzed Rats Walk Again, Thanks to Electricity, Chemicals—And Chocol

Rachel Kaufman — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:02:37 -0400

With help from electricity, chemicals, and chocolate, the rats' severely injured spinal cords recovered—a first that might help people too.

Pictures: Solar Plane Poised for Intercontinental Flight

Thu, 31 May 2012 15:39:13 -0400

Fueled only by the sun glinting off its enormous wings, the Swiss experimental aircraft Solar Impulse aims for a historic intercontinental flight.

Space Pictures This Week: Partial Eclipse, Dragon Capture, More

Thu, 31 May 2012 15:02:07 -0400

A crescent eclipse, a candy-colored galaxy, and a spaceflight milestone feature among this week's best space pictures.

Groundwater Depletion Accelerates Sea-Level Rise

Richard Lovett — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:19:42 -0400

As aquifers are pumped out around the world, the water ultimately makes it to the oceans.

International Agency Calls for Action on Natural Gas Safety

Mason Inman — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:47:54 -0400

New environmental controls on natural gas "fracking" are both needed and affordable, the International Energy Agency says.

Deep Creatures Hitchhike on Subs—Invading Pristine Habitats?

Dave Mosher — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:10:47 -0400

Despite huge pressure changes, "Energizer bunny" animals keep going and going and going—possibly invading pristine areas, experts say.

Top Ten New Species: Snub-Nosed Monkey, Devil Worm, More

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:31:01 -0400

The biggest millipede and a Spongebob mushroom are among the ten most bizarre species of 2011, according to Arizona State University.

Spray Sunscreen Ingredient to Combat Global Warming?

Ker Than — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:19:34 -0400

Spraying particles of titanium dioxide via balloons could help scatter enough sunlight to reduce global temperatures, a scientist says.

Everest Climb Successful, Despite Crowds, Unrelenting Winds

Ker Than — Tue, 29 May 2012 11:16:43 -0400

Despite a tough crowd, howling winds, and even food poisoning, a National Geographic team touched the top of the world Friday.

Nat Geo Team on Everest

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:02:26 -0400

Memorial Day 2012: When It Started, and How It May Change

Brian Handwerk — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:35:31 -0400

Find out who started the day of remembrance, and see why some groups want to change the date of this national holiday.

SpaceX's Dragon Captured by Space Station—A First

Victoria Jaggard and Ker Than — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:25:52 -0400

Plucked from orbit by a robotic arm, the Dragon capsule is the first commercial craft to make contact with the orbiting laboratory.

Pictures: History of Auto Fuel Efficiency

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:41:07 -0400

Today’s global demand for more efficient cars follows two centuries of shifting attitudes toward fuel-guzzling vehicles, from Model T to Rambler, from Hummer to Prius.

National Geographic Bee's New King: Texan Wins on Bavarian Brainteaser

Jeremy Berlin in Washington, D.C. — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:55:03 -0400

Winning on a Bavarian brainteaser issued by Alex Trebek, a 14-year-old Texan took the National Geographic Bee crown.

Space Pictures This Week: Solar Eclipse, Dusty "Doughnut," More

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:20:44 -0400

See National Geographic's favorite new astrophotos, including a shady eclipse shot, dusty "doughnut," fleeing comet, and more.

Pictures: World War II "Time Capsule" Fighter Found in Sahara

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:58:59 -0400

See the "aviation equivalent of Tut's tomb"—a World War II fighter plane newly found in the Egyptian desert.

Evolutionary Flop: Early 4-Footed Land Animal Was No Walker?

Dave Mosher — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:20:02 -0400

New 3-D models suggest that what's been seen as one of Earth's first land walkers was actually more of a flopper.

Magma Rise Sparked Life as We Know It?

Ken Croswell — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:46:34 -0400

Oxygen-breathing life exists on Earth today because of changes in the planet's magma 2.5 billion years ago, a new study says.

Photos: Volcanic Vents, Crawling With Creatures, Found in Mexico Sea

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:19:36 -0400

Crawling with tube worms and crabs, the hydrothermal vents are the first found in the Gulf of California, scientists report.

In Wake of Everest Deaths, Another "Traffic Jam" Expected

Ker Than — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:37:52 -0400

Just days after four people died on Everest during a crowded climb, a similar "traffic jam" scenario could play out this weekend.