https://www.nytimes.com/section/science en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Sat, 23 May 2026 19:16:34 +0000 Sat, 23 May 2026 17:21:18 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/science https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/science/spacex-starship-launch-nasa.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/science/spacex-starship-launch-nasa.html The 12th test flight of SpaceX’s gargantuan rocket launched on Friday evening and ended its journey in the Indian Ocean just over an hour later. Kenneth Chang Sat, 23 May 2026 17:21:18 +0000 Space Exploration Technologies Corp Private Spaceflight Rocket Science and Propulsion Space and Astronomy Musk, Elon Eric Gay/Associated Press Sunrise at Starbase in South Texas on Friday, as the SpaceX Starship rocket was preparing for another launch attempt. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/science/astronomy-telescopes-universe-ngvla.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/science/astronomy-telescopes-universe-ngvla.html With 263 antennas spread across the U.S. and Mexico, the Next Generation Very Large Array, would join a new wave of radio astronomy. Katrina Miller Fri, 22 May 2026 09:01:41 +0000 Telescopes and Observatories Space and Astronomy Stars and Galaxies Black Holes (Space) Radio New Mexico United States Mexico National Radio Astronomy Observatory NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/anthropause-animals-pandemic.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/anthropause-animals-pandemic.html When people disappeared from the landscape, as they did during the pandemic, wild animals changed how they used space and resources, scientists found. Emily Anthes Thu, 21 May 2026 18:00:08 +0000 your-feed-science Animals Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Research Biodiversity Animal Behavior Loren Elliott for The New York Times A mule deer captured by a trail camera as it walked along a game trail in the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale, Calif. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/el-nino-history-famine.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/el-nino-history-famine.html The biggest episodes of the past have altered the course of human events, according to researchers. An emerging one is drawing historic comparisons. Chico Harlan Thu, 21 May 2026 17:36:20 +0000 El Nino Southern Oscillation Global Warming Famine Disasters and Emergencies Far East, South and Southeast Asia and Pacific Areas India Pacific Ocean internal-open-access-from-nl Dea/Biblioteca Ambrosiana, via Getty Images An illustration published in 1877 depicted a scene in southern India. Millions died from a famine that coincided with an El Niño that year. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/a-very-lonely-caterpillar-the-sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-has-died.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/a-very-lonely-caterpillar-the-sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-has-died.html The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly hasn’t been seen in the wild since 2022. The caterpillar was the last individual in human care. Catrin Einhorn Fri, 22 May 2026 13:28:20 +0000 Butterflies and Moths Conservation of Resources Endangered and Extinct Species Diana Cervantes for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/aaas-nsf-oneill.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/aaas-nsf-oneill.html The American Association for the Advancement of Science questioned the credentials of Jim O’Neill, tapped to lead the National Science Foundation. William J. Broad Thu, 21 May 2026 09:05:48 +0000 United States Politics and Government Politics and Government Appointments and Executive Changes American Assn for the Advancement of Science National Science Foundation Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions O'Neill, Jim (1968- ) Amy Rossetti/Department of Health and Human Services, via Associated Press Jim O’Neill, left, being sworn in last June as deputy to the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/humans-pigeons-cyprus.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/humans-pigeons-cyprus.html Bones discovered at an archaeological site in Cyprus suggest the birds have been strutting around human settlements since at least 1400 B.C. Rachel Nuwer Wed, 20 May 2026 23:01:05 +0000 Pigeons Research Archaeology and Anthropology Bones Diet and Nutrition Paleontology Antiquity (Journal) Cyprus Angelina Katsanis for The New York Times A new study leads scientists to wonder whether people set out to domesticate pigeons or the process occurred naturally as pigeons “colonized” human environments. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/europe-green-energy-indigenous.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/europe-green-energy-indigenous.html In northern Norway, Sami people fear a copper mine will disrupt their traditional lifestyles. Alexa Robles-Gil, Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Michal Siarek Wed, 20 May 2026 18:25:56 +0000 Mines and Mining Copper, Brass and Bronze Samis (Ethnic Group) Indigenous People Reindeer Fishing, Commercial Demonstrations, Protests and Riots Water Pollution Waste Materials and Disposal Alternative and Renewable Energy Global Warming Conservation of Resources Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Blue Moon Metals Inc Nussir mine Repparfjord (Norway) Norway European Union internal-open-access-from-nl Michał Siarek for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/neptune-nereid-triton.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/science/neptune-nereid-triton.html Neptune’s moons have long provided evidence of a cataclysm four billion years ago. A new study suggests one moon may have made it through. Jonathan O’Callaghan Wed, 20 May 2026 18:23:52 +0000 Space and Astronomy Neptune (Planet) James Webb Space Telescope Science Advances (Journal) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/health/autisim-clinics-investigation.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/health/autisim-clinics-investigation.html A rapidly growing industry often overprescribes treatment to young children with autism, who spend as many as 40 hours a week at the facilities. Sarah Kliff, Margot Sanger-Katz and Asmaa Elkeurti Sat, 23 May 2026 09:00:44 +0000 Autism Medicaid Erin Schaff/The New York Times A clinic for autistic children in Concord, N.C., that uses applied behavioral analysis, one of the largest and fastest-growing kinds of medical care for state Medicaid programs. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/us/jellyfish-facts-beach-sting-safety.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/us/jellyfish-facts-beach-sting-safety.html Jellyfish myths and misconceptions abound. Here’s how to stay safe this beach season around these gelatinous wonders. Johnny Diaz Sat, 23 May 2026 12:44:53 +0000 Jellyfish Fish and Other Marine Life Animal Attacks Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Florida Jellyfish Museum Fort Lauderdale (Fla) Oceans and Seas Summer (Season) Anadolu A jellyfish at the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Jellyfish play important roles in the marine ecosystem and are a key source of food for some fish and sea turtles. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/health/autism-therapy-clinics.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/health/autism-therapy-clinics.html The industry has grown rapidly, straining state budgets. A focus on finances has led to overbilling, fraud and even harm. Sarah Kliff, Margot Sanger-Katz, Erin Schaff and Asmaa Elkeurti Sat, 23 May 2026 09:00:16 +0000 Medicaid Autism Private Equity Therapy and Rehabilitation States (US) United States North Carolina Compleat Kidz your-feed-healthcare Erin Schaff/The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/trump-super-pollutants-hfc-epa-climate-change.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/trump-super-pollutants-hfc-epa-climate-change.html The administration is delaying a phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons, potent planet-warming chemicals used in air-conditioning and refrigeration. Lisa Friedman and Maxine Joselow Thu, 21 May 2026 17:33:11 +0000 United States Politics and Government Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Global Warming Refrigerators Air Conditioning Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hydrofluorocarbons Air Pollution Supermarkets and Grocery Stores Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Environment Chemicals Environmental Protection Agency Trump, Donald J Zeldin, Lee M Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Replacing an air conditioning unit outside a home in western Pennsylvania during a heat wave last June. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/retatrutide-weight-loss-drug.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/retatrutide-weight-loss-drug.html People who got the injection, retatrutide, lost 28 percent of their body weight on average after 80 weeks, Eli Lilly said. Gina Kolata and Rebecca Robbins Fri, 22 May 2026 11:38:33 +0000 Obesity Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) Weight GLP-1 RAs (Drug) Hormones Bariatric Surgery Clinical Trials Surgery and Surgeons Eli Lilly and Company United States AJ Mast/Bloomberg Eli Lilly’s headquarters in Indianapolis. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/space/spacex-starship-launch-nasa.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/science/space/spacex-starship-launch-nasa.html The giant rocket was scheduled to lift off on Thursday after a seven-month pause. SpaceX could try again as soon as Friday. Kenneth Chang Fri, 22 May 2026 17:49:43 +0000 Private Spaceflight Rocket Science and Propulsion Space and Astronomy Moon Artemis Program Space Exploration Technologies Corp National Aeronautics and Space Administration Musk, Elon Bezos, Jeffrey P Eric Gay/Associated Press The booster for the SpaceX rocket Starship being rolled out to the launchpad at the Starbase in South Texas. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/elon-musk-spacex-ipo.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/elon-musk-spacex-ipo.html Mr. Musk’s rocket and satellite maker disclosed its financial performance as it prepares to go public in what is set to be one of the largest offerings to date. Ryan Mac and Lauren Hirsch Thu, 21 May 2026 00:23:44 +0000 Space Exploration Technologies Corp Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) Musk, Elon X (Formerly Twitter) X.ai Inc Initial Public Offerings Private Spaceflight Artificial Intelligence Space and Astronomy Social Media Satellites Government Contracts and Procurement Computers and the Internet Company Reports Meridith Kohut for The New York Times A successful SpaceX offering would bring riches to Wall Street, the company’s employees and, of course, Elon Musk, who is already the world’s richest person. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-africa.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-africa.html To some Africans, the claim that the continent’s largest health agency had already bungled its response scratched a familiar wound. Matthew Mpoke Bigg Wed, 20 May 2026 21:14:29 +0000 Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Medicine and Health Disease Rates Ebola Virus Deaths (Fatalities) Epidemics Quarantines Marburg Virus International Relations Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention World Health Organization Moses Sawasawa/Associated Press Red Cross workers carry the coffin of a person who died of Ebola at a health center in Rwampara, the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/climate/epa-atrazine-endangered-species-maha.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/climate/epa-atrazine-endangered-species-maha.html The finding effectively paves the way for continued use of atrazine, a widely used herbicide that has been linked to birth defects and cancer in humans. Hiroko Tabuchi Wed, 20 May 2026 16:04:40 +0000 Fish and Wildlife Service Defoliants and Herbicides Hazardous and Toxic Substances Birth Defects Cancer Endangered and Extinct Species Agriculture and Farming American Farm Bureau Federation National Corn Growers Assn Environmental Protection Agency Water Pollution Syngenta AG Julie Ingwersen/Reuters Test plots at a Syngenta research site in Junction City, Kan. Atrazine is made primarily by Syngenta. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/neanderthal-tooth-dentistry.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/neanderthal-tooth-dentistry.html The prehistoric hominins “apparently were very adept at what we would consider invasive medicine,” said the anthropologist John Olsen. Franz Lidz Tue, 19 May 2026 14:39:26 +0000 Teeth and Dentistry Archaeology and Anthropology Research Diet and Nutrition Neanderthal Man PLoS One (Journal) internal-open-access-from-nl https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/ai-art-anne-boleyn.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/ai-art-anne-boleyn.html Using facial-recognition technology, scholars have concluded that a 500-year-old drawing labeled “Anna Bollein Queen” more likely showed her mother, Elizabeth Howard. Katherine Kornei Tue, 19 May 2026 09:02:15 +0000 Art Boleyn, Anne Facial Recognition Software Royal Families History (Academic Subject) Heritage Science (Journal) Windsor Castle Anne, Queen of Great Britain (1665-1714) Holbein, Hans England Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025/Royal Collection Trust https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/pfas-contamination-lawsuits-new-mexico.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/pfas-contamination-lawsuits-new-mexico.html New Mexico is suing the federal government over PFAS contamination from Cannon Air Force Base. The outcome will affect how courts treat more than 15,000 similar claims nationwide. Alexander Nazaryan and Nina Riggio Wed, 20 May 2026 17:13:58 +0000 PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Suits and Litigation (Civil) Hazardous and Toxic Substances Water Pollution Military Bases and Installations United States Air Force Environmental Protection Agency New Mexico Clovis (NM) Cannon Air Force Base (NM) Grisham, Michelle Lujan Federal-State Relations (US) Livestock Fires and Firefighters Art Schaap, right, a dairy farmer in Clovis, N.M., and James Kenney, of the New Mexico Environment Department, stand in the area where Mr. Schaap had to kill his cattle. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/lost-science-pollution-epa.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/science/lost-science-pollution-epa.html Melanie Malone led a research project to identify and study contamination sites in Washington State. Then the E.P.A. canceled her grant. Sachi Kitajima Mulkey Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:22 +0000 Federal Aid (US) Pollution Water Pollution Environment Superfund Hazardous and Toxic Substances Environmental Protection Agency Layoffs and Job Reductions Seattle (Wash) Washington (State) Soil Duwamish River (Wash) Meron Tekie Menghistab for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/climate/trump-global-warming-truth-social.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/climate/trump-global-warming-truth-social.html Renewable energy has helped make the worst-case scenario a bit less bad. The president said, falsely, it shows that climate scientists were wrong all along. Eric Niiler Tue, 19 May 2026 13:49:57 +0000 Global Warming Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Alternative and Renewable Energy United States Politics and Government Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Trump, Donald J Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Solar panels and wind turbines in north-central China. Renewable is becoming more affordable in many countries. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/climate/epa-forever-chemicals-pfas-drinking-water.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/climate/epa-forever-chemicals-pfas-drinking-water.html The rules were established by the Biden administration after research linked the compounds to a range of serious health problems. Lisa Friedman Tue, 19 May 2026 18:18:21 +0000 PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Water Pollution Water Regulation and Deregulation of Industry United States Politics and Government Environmental Protection Agency Trump, Donald J Biden, Joseph R Jr Zeldin, Lee M Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times Lee Zeldin, the E.P.A. administrator, has argued that the agency made a procedural error when it established the drinking water standards in 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/world/africa/congo-ebola-testing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/world/africa/congo-ebola-testing.html Early surveillance and testing failed to identify the rare species of Ebola responsible for the current outbreak. An American doctor is among the confirmed cases. Ruth Maclean Tue, 19 May 2026 13:23:03 +0000 Ebola Virus Disease Rates Epidemics Deaths (Fatalities) Tests (Medical) Foreign Aid Humanitarian Aid World Health Organization Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention United States Agency for International Development Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Bunia (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Goma (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Ituri Province (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Uganda internal-open-access-from-nl Victoire Mukenge/Reuters At a hospital in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, the center of a new Ebola outbreak. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/science/anxiety-mental-health-children-increases-study.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/science/anxiety-mental-health-children-increases-study.html Doctor’s visits for children’s anxiety rose by more than 250 percent over 10 years, according to a study of nearly two million children. Ellen Barry Mon, 18 May 2026 15:01:05 +0000 Mental Health and Disorders Anxiety and Stress Children and Childhood Psychiatry and Psychiatrists JAMA Network Open Annie Flanagan for The New York Times Visits were counted as mental health visits if a diagnostic code was included in the claim, either because the child or the family raised the issue or because the child screened positive for mental health symptoms during the visit. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/weather/nws-storm-prediction-center-maps-forecast.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/weather/nws-storm-prediction-center-maps-forecast.html With a battery of modern technology at their fingertips, meteorologists often turn first to an old-fashioned tracking technique. Judson Jones and Desiree Rios Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:37 +0000 Weather Tornadoes Wildfires Oklahoma United States National Weather Service https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/climate/geologic-hydrogen-clean-energy-underground.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/climate/geologic-hydrogen-clean-energy-underground.html The dream of clean hydrogen has tantalized energy experts for years, but producing it has been tough. Many start-ups think the answer could lie beneath our feet. Brad Plumer and Ian Willms Wed, 20 May 2026 07:28:19 +0000 Hydrogen Alternative and Renewable Energy Drilling and Boring Geology Rock and Stone Start-ups Venture Capital Greenhouse Gas Emissions Global Warming Wells Asbestos Energy Department United States Geological Survey United States Air Force Quebec Province (Canada) Whitmer, Gretchen North America internal-open-access-from-nl