https://www.nytimes.com/section/science en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Tue, 30 Jun 2026 01:29:48 +0000 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:51:26 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/science https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/science/turtles-origins-dinosaurs-archosaurs.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/science/turtles-origins-dinosaurs-archosaurs.html The origin of turtles has puzzled scientists. A new study provides more evidence that these shelled reptiles share a common ancestor with crocodiles and birds. Sara Novak Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:00:11 +0000 Paleontology Turtles and Tortoises Current Biology (Journal) Jon Elswick/Associated Press A new study suggests turtles belong to a group of reptiles called archosauromorphs, which also includes ancient birds, crocodiles, pterosaurs and dinosaurs, and may share a common ancestor with them. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/science/nasa-falling-space-telescope-swift.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/science/nasa-falling-space-telescope-swift.html A rescue mission will soon be underway for NASA’s Swift telescope. Kenneth Chang Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:48:53 +0000 Telescopes and Observatories Space and Astronomy Rocket Science and Propulsion Rescues National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA An artist’s concept of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory being ferried to a higher orbit over Earth by the start-up Katalyst Space Technologies’s Link spacecraft. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/science/this-trap-wants-ants-to-take-a-bite.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/science/this-trap-wants-ants-to-take-a-bite.html Named for an ancient Roman crossbow-like weapon, the newly found “ballista” spider uses a springy snare to catch prey. K. R. Callaway Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:01:39 +0000 Spiders Animal Behavior Australia Current Biology (Journal) Research your-feed-science Ajay Narendra et al., Current Biology A newly described Australian ballista spider waiting to catch an ant in its snare. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/science/birds-acoustics-birdsong.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/science/birds-acoustics-birdsong.html For the Bachman’s sparrow, whether a song is passed to the next generation could depend, in part, on the wind and trees. K. R. Callaway Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:44 +0000 Birds Animal Behavior Trees and Shrubs Environment Acoustics Florida https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/venezeula-earthquakes-faults-geology.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/venezeula-earthquakes-faults-geology.html Twin earthquakes like those that ripped through the region are unusual but not unheard of. Scientists are already gathering data needed for a more detailed picture. Robin George Andrews Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:07:26 +0000 Venezuela Earthquakes (June 24, 2026) Landslides and Mudslides Geology Research Politics and Government Caracas (Venezuela) Venezuela Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters Emergency workers at the site of a collapsed building in Caracas on Thursday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/evolution-laughter-apes.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/evolution-laughter-apes.html A study of chimps, gorillas and other great apes, including human children, sheds light on how laughter has evolved. Emily Anthes Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:06 +0000 Monkeys and Apes Laughter Comedy and Humor Communications Biology (Journal) Davila-Ross, Marina internal-open-access-from-nl Emil Lippe for The New York Times All the planet’s great apes laugh, and they often do so in the same kind of regular, repeating rhythm that humans do, according to a new study. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/genetics-birds-manakins.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/science/genetics-birds-manakins.html An ancient dietary change made the manakin’s flashy courtship display possible, a new study suggests. K. R. Callaway Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:01:33 +0000 Diet and Nutrition Birds Taste Genetics and Heredity Animals Evolution (Biology) Baldwin, Maude W Central America https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/science/ebola-bundibugyo-animal-reservoir.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/science/ebola-bundibugyo-animal-reservoir.html Scientists believe that the Bundibugyo virus persists in an animal species, occasionally spilling over into humans. But they have yet to identify the species. Carl Zimmer Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:04:00 +0000 Ebola Virus Disease Rates Animals Bats Epidemics Research Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) internal-open-access-from-nl Michel Lunanga/Getty Images https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/science/giant-fruit-fly-sperm-untangled.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/science/giant-fruit-fly-sperm-untangled.html A fruit fly’s sperm are exceptionally long, and thousands are crammed in together. The physics of this presents a packing nightmare. Monique Brouillette Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:21:42 +0000 Fruit Flies Sperm Research Nature Physics (Journal) your-feed-science https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/climate/trump-offshore-wind-duke-energy.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/climate/trump-offshore-wind-duke-energy.html It was the fourth such deal struck by the administration to get companies to forfeit their offshore wind leases. Maxine Joselow Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:41:53 +0000 Interior Department Wind Power Duke Energy Corporation TotalEnergies SE North Carolina United States Politics and Government Alternative and Renewable Energy Matthew Brown/Associated Press Duke Energy is one of the nation’s largest utilities. Here, a Duke Energy wind farm project in Rolling Hills, Wyoming. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/science/richard-scolyer-dead.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/science/richard-scolyer-dead.html His lifesaving melanoma research in Australia illuminated the treatment he underwent for his own brain tumor, an ordeal he courageously shared with the public. Richard Sandomir Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:50:09 +0000 Scolyer, Richard (1966-2026) Skin Cancer Melanomas Brain Cancer Research Immunotherapy Doctors Australia Deaths (Obituaries) Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image, via Reuters Dr. Richard Scolyer in 2023. He became a high-profile public figure in Australia as he wrote and spoke about his experimental treatments for his own aggressive cancer. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/gregg-phillips-fema-waffle-house.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/gregg-phillips-fema-waffle-house.html Gregg Phillips was in charge of the emergency response agency’s largest division and had come under scrutiny for a series of bizarre claims. Brad Plumer and Scott Dance Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:20:06 +0000 Phillips, Gregg (1960- ) Federal Emergency Management Agency Homeland Security Department Disasters and Emergencies United States Politics and Government Appointments and Executive Changes Al Drago/Getty Images Gregg Phillips was appointed to lead FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, with 1,000 employees and a budget of nearly $300 million. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/portland-heat-wave-lawsuit-oil-industry.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/portland-heat-wave-lawsuit-oil-industry.html The lawsuit aims to hold fossil fuel companies responsible for a heat wave in Portland five years ago. The industry says the case should be thrown out. Karen Zraick Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:02:20 +0000 Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline Global Warming Greenhouse Gas Emissions Suits and Litigation (Civil) Heat and Heat Waves Compensation for Damages (Law) Chevron Corporation Environmental Protection Agency Multnomah County (Ore) Portland (Ore) Michael Hanson for The New York Times Richard Schechter, a lawyer for Multnomah County in Oregon, addressing the judge in court on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/europe-heat-wave-climate-change.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/climate/europe-heat-wave-climate-change.html A scientific analysis concluded that such high temperatures, across so much of the continent, would “not have been possible” without global warming. Raymond Zhong Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:01:05 +0000 World Weather Attribution Research Heat and Heat Waves Global Warming Greenhouse Gas Emissions Western Europe Weather Europe Christophe Archambault/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images A shady passageway on Tuesday in Bordeaux, France, where temperatures reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 42 Celsius. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/trump-order-pesticides-rfk.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/trump-order-pesticides-rfk.html The order, which calls for studying the health risks of pesticides in the food supply, does not involve new federal funding, and does not call for regulations or legislation. Sheryl Gay Stolberg Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:24:06 +0000 United States Politics and Government live-detached Hazardous and Toxic Substances Pesticides Food Executive Orders and Memorandums Agriculture and Farming Chemicals Agriculture Department Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Department Trump, Donald J Kennedy, Robert F Jr Doug Mills/The New York Times President Trump held a Rose Garden dinner with American farmers on Thursday, the same day he issued an executive order aimed at reducing pesticides in the food supply. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/world/africa/africa-cdc-congo-ebola.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/world/africa/africa-cdc-congo-ebola.html Most of the people testing positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo are not on health workers’ radar, suggesting that contact tracing is lagging dangerously behind. Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Stephanie Nolen Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:57:49 +0000 Ebola Virus Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Disease Rates Contact Tracing (Public Health) Epidemics Deaths (Fatalities) Africa Bunia (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Ituri Province (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times A community health worker taking the temperature of a man whose son is being treated for the virus near the city of Bunia in Democratic Republic of Congo. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/business/china-cancer-treatment-research-retraction.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/business/china-cancer-treatment-research-retraction.html In a notice flagging a series of problems with a clinical trial, the journal Nature Medicine said its editors “no longer have confidence in the integrity of the results.” Rebecca Robbins Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:27:02 +0000 Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Research Clinical Trials Academic and Scientific Journals Nature Medicine (Journal) China Cancer Jenny Kane/Associated Press The journal Nature Medicine retracted a study that found a drastic benefit when cancer therapy was administered in the morning. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/london-climate-week-heat-cancelations.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/london-climate-week-heat-cancelations.html The extreme heat smothering Europe has upended Climate Week in London. David Gelles Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:18:37 +0000 Global Warming London (England) Heat and Heat Waves Greenhouse Gas Emissions Endangered and Extinct Species Genetic Engineering Pool photo by Yui Mok King Charles III at a London Climate Week reception on Wednesday at St. James’s Palace. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/kennedy-cdc-emails.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/kennedy-cdc-emails.html A cache of internal emails offers a look at the pressure the nation’s public health officials faced from the new health secretary in the early months of the Trump administration. Sheryl Gay Stolberg Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:18:20 +0000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kennedy, Robert F Jr Health and Human Services Department Vaccination and Immunization Influenza Monarez, Susan Medicine and Health Government Employees Houry, Debra United States Politics and Government Senate Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times Robert F. Kennedy Jr., seated, at a Senate confirmation hearing last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/trump-pfas-forever-chemical-settlement-chemours.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/trump-pfas-forever-chemical-settlement-chemours.html The settlement addresses the dumping of PFAS “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer and other risks, by Chemours in several states. Hiroko Tabuchi Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:45:48 +0000 Chemours Company PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Water Pollution Hazardous and Toxic Substances Compensation for Damages (Law) Chemicals Liability for Products Suits and Litigation (Civil) North Carolina New Jersey West Virginia Cape Fear River (NC) Ed Kashi for The New York Times A Chemours plant in Fayetteville, N.C. Under a proposed settlement, Chemours would pay fines for discharging PFAS from plants in North Carolina, New Jersey and West Virginia. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/colossal-biosciences-gene-bank.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/climate/colossal-biosciences-gene-bank.html The government is teaming up with Colossal Biosciences, a private company that claims to have revived extinct dire wolves, to store samples from at-risk animals and plants. Carl Zimmer and Catrin Einhorn Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:24:17 +0000 Colossal Biosciences Inc Genetic Engineering DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Endangered and Extinct Species Biodiversity Fish and Wildlife Service Animals Conservation of Resources Public-Private Sector Cooperation Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press The Frozen Zoo in San Diego, which has been preserving cells for over 50 years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a partnership with Colossal Biosciences for a similar effort. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/health/chemotherapy-drug-shortage.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/health/chemotherapy-drug-shortage.html Doctors are contending with low supplies and unfilled orders of generic chemotherapy infusions that are central to the treatment of a long list of cancers. Christina Jewett Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:44:33 +0000 Shortages Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) Chemotherapy Cancer Factories and Manufacturing Doctors Generic Brands and Products Food and Drug Administration United States your-feed-healthcare Emil Lippe for The New York Times Chemotherapy drugs, carboplatin and cisplatin, in the pharmaceutical storage room at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth. There are shortages of both drugs. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/climate/europe-fastest-warming-continent.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/climate/europe-fastest-warming-continent.html The burning of fossil fuels is raising temperatures worldwide, but local factors, on land and at sea, determine which regions warm most rapidly. Raymond Zhong Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:59:21 +0000 Europe Heat and Heat Waves Greenhouse Gas Emissions Global Warming Research internal-open-access-from-nl Toby Shepheard/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Morning commuters on the London Bridge on Wednesday, where temperatures reached 96 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest recorded June day in the United Kingdom. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/world/europe/ebola-france.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/world/europe/ebola-france.html A doctor who had traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo was infected, the French health ministry said. The authorities said the risk to the wider population was low. Lynsey Chutel Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:37:56 +0000 Ebola Virus Epidemics World Health Organization Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) France internal-open-access-from-nl Doctors Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times Health workers last month in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the center of an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 200 people. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/an-influx-of-climate-cash.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/an-influx-of-climate-cash.html Many philanthropists are backing away from climate giving. But one is writing very big checks. David Gelles Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:10:06 +0000 Global Warming Philanthropy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Heat and Heat Waves Justin Tallis/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire and former mayor of New York City, at a climate forum in London on Tuesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/europe-heat-wave-climate-change.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/europe-heat-wave-climate-change.html Records are being broken for the second time in a month, leading scientists to probe the upper limits of what the warming climate can dish out. Raymond Zhong Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:17:27 +0000 Global Warming Heat and Heat Waves Europe Stephane Mahe/Reuters A retirement home in Les Sorinières, near Nantes, France, on Monday, where temperatures reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/health/ebola-symptoms-death-rate.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/health/ebola-symptoms-death-rate.html That is good news for patients, but officials fear it will make controlling the spread of the disease harder. Apoorva Mandavilli Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:31:22 +0000 Deaths (Fatalities) Disease Rates Ebola Virus Epidemics International Medical Corps World Health Organization Bunia (Congo, Democratic Republic of) Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) Ituri Province (Congo, Democratic Republic of) internal-open-access-from-nl Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times A health worker checking people’s temperatures at an entry point to the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/trump-energy-nuclear-loans.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/trump-energy-nuclear-loans.html The federal government wants to help utilities buy large components for up to 10 large nuclear reactors. It’s unclear which, if any, companies might participate. Brad Plumer Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:19:36 +0000 Nuclear Energy Energy Department Federal Aid (US) Electric Light and Power Nuclear Regulatory Commission Global Warming United States Politics and Government Kendrick Brinson for The New York Times The Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia is the only one with AP1000 reactors in the U.S. They generate enough electricity to power 1 million homes, but they took 15 years to build and cost $35 billion, double the initial estimates. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/noaa-climate-science-data-website.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/noaa-climate-science-data-website.html The database of federal global warming research recreates a website that was closed amid the administration’s broad retreat from climate science. Quinn Glabicki Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:26:47 +0000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Warming US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Archives and Records Government Employees United States Research Jason Andrew for The New York Times The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. The new site is an effort to preserve NOAA work previously available at climate.gov. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/europe-heat-wave-protective-measures.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/climate/europe-heat-wave-protective-measures.html Searing temperatures in Western Europe are drawing comparisons to 2003, when a deadly heat wave sparked a reckoning. Chico Harlan Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:02:13 +0000 Europe Heat and Heat Waves Air Conditioning Heatstroke Deaths (Fatalities) Global Warming France internal-open-access-from-nl Thibault Camus/Associated Press A visitor to the Palace of Versailles in France on Monday, where temperatures exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/science/x-ray-specs-for-the-worlds-oldest-sealed-letters.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/science/x-ray-specs-for-the-worlds-oldest-sealed-letters.html A team of historians, scientists and engineers has developed a portable X-ray scanner to study 4,000-year-old letters encased in clay envelopes. Katherine Kornei Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:02:04 +0000 your-feed-science X-Rays History (Academic Subject) Collectors and Collections