https://www.nytimes.com/section/science en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:23:23 +0000 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:27:03 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/science https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/science/new-world-screwworm-explainer.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/science/new-world-screwworm-explainer.html Here’s why farmers and scientists are concerned over the New World screwworm’s unwelcome return to the United States. Emily Anthes Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:06:01 +0000 your-feed-science Agriculture and Farming Livestock Screwworm Fly Livestock Diseases Animals Daniel Becerril/Reuters The screwworm fly, whose larvae feed on the tissue of livestock, wildlife and pets. Its infections can kill if left untreated. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/science/nasa-maven-mars-orbiter.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/science/nasa-maven-mars-orbiter.html The space agency announced that the MAVEN spacecraft, which has circled Mars for more than a decade, is being decommissioned. Katrina Miller Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:29:29 +0000 Space and Astronomy Mars (Planet) National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA An artist’s concept of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, which has been orbiting around Mars since 2014. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/technology/gwynne-shotwell-spacex.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/technology/gwynne-shotwell-spacex.html Gwynne Shotwell, the president and chief operating officer, is the adult-in-the-room foil to Mr. Musk as SpaceX prepares for a blockbuster initial public offering. Ryan Mac Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:32:10 +0000 Musk, Elon Shotwell, Gwynne Space Exploration Technologies Corp Satellites Private Spaceflight Space and Astronomy Women and Girls Artificial Intelligence Telephones and Telecommunications Innovation Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) Content Type: Personal Profile Joe Raedle/Getty Images Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, in Miami Beach last year during one of her infrequent public appearances. “I love working for Elon,” she has said. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/climate/urban-light-pollution-pollen-allergies.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/climate/urban-light-pollution-pollen-allergies.html Light pollution prompts plants to shed pollen longer and stronger, according to new research. Marta Zaraska Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:12:17 +0000 Allergies Lighting Urban Areas Pollen Asthma Trees and Shrubs Flowers and Plants Environment Research PNAS (Journal) Biorhythms Global Warming Respiratory Diseases Amir Hamja for The New York Times A study found that trees in cities with brighter lights start producing pollen earlier in the spring and finish later in the fall, adding up to 130 days per year to the allergy season. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/science/missing-scientists-conspiracy-theory-families.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/science/missing-scientists-conspiracy-theory-families.html The claim that their loved ones’ deaths and disappearances are linked is almost certainly false — but the loss remains real. Alexander Nazaryan Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:01:43 +0000 Conspiracy Theories United States Defense and Military Forces Deaths (Fatalities) Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) Extraterrestrial Life Physics Space and Astronomy Science and Technology Pope, Nick (1965-2026) Neves Valente, Claudio Manuel (1977-2025) David Wilcock Amy Eskridge Monica J. Reza Carl J. Grillmair Freddy O. Snyder William N. McCasland Nuno F.G. Loureiro your-feed-science Rebecca Noble for The New York Times Elizabeth Weiss, an anthropologist whose husband, Nick Pope, a prominent U.F.O. researcher, died in April. “If you start looking for patterns, you will find them,” she said, quoting him. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/science/ai-mathematics-leiden-declaration.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/science/ai-mathematics-leiden-declaration.html A week after OpenAI made headlines with an A.I.-generated proof, a new “declaration” by 16 experts raises concerns that the technology threatens math as a discipline. Siobhan Roberts Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:09:13 +0000 your-feed-science Artificial Intelligence Mathematics Leiden University OpenAI Labs Aaron Wojack for The New York Times OpenAI is just one of the artificial intelligence firms that has begun training its models in higher mathematics. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/climate/trump-ocean-monitors-climate-research.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/climate/trump-ocean-monitors-climate-research.html The Trump administration is dismantling a $368 million deep-ocean observation system that monitors marine ecosystems and the effects of climate change. Lisa Friedman Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:44:33 +0000 Oceans and Seas United States Politics and Government Global Warming Science and Technology National Science Foundation Democratic Party National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative Recovering a surface buoy — part of a network of moorings, buoys and gliders making observations of the ocean — from the Irminger Sea off Greenland’s coast, in 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/science/ebola-vaccines-treatments.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/science/ebola-vaccines-treatments.html The Bundibugyo virus, a little known type, previously had caused just two small outbreaks. Now it’s at the center of a rapidly widening epidemic in Africa. Carl Zimmer Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:08:19 +0000 Vaccination and Immunization Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) Disease Rates Ebola Virus Antibodies Epidemics Research Clinical Trials Immune System Medicine and Health Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Moderna Inc Oxford University Serum Institute of India Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of (Congo-Kinshasa) internal-open-access-from-nl Uganda Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times Health workers disinfected a coffin containing the body of a man presumed have died of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/science/death-jars-internment-laos.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/science/death-jars-internment-laos.html Thousands of mysterious containers lie scattered across northern Laos. These “death jars” may have provided a form of communal interment, archaeologists reported. Franz Lidz Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:49:40 +0000 Archaeology and Anthropology Antiquity (Journal) Laos Cemeteries Southeast Asia Death and Dying Research https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/science/embryos-gene-editing-crispr.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/science/embryos-gene-editing-crispr.html Researchers relied on a newer gene-editing technique that may make it possible to engineer embryos, a prospect that has long alarmed bioethicists. Carl Zimmer Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:53:31 +0000 Embryos (Human) Research Genetic Engineering Columbia University In Vitro Fertilization Ethics and Official Misconduct Egli, Dieter base editing Claude Cortier/Science Source Researchers altered genes that influence levels of LDL cholesterol and hemoglobin in the blood. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/climate/trump-coal-plants-funding.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/climate/trump-coal-plants-funding.html The president announced a total of $700 million in federal money to reinvigorate the domestic coal industry, which has been in decline for decades. Maxine Joselow and Brad Plumer Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:56:17 +0000 Coal Federal Aid (US) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Global Warming Environment Carbon Capture and Sequestration One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025) Air Pollution United States Politics and Government Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Of the roughly $700 million in total funding, $425 million would be used to upgrade and extend the life of 13 coal plants that otherwise might have closed in the coming years. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/science/bernard-roizman-dead.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/science/bernard-roizman-dead.html He mapped the herpes simplex virus genome, revealing how it invades cells. His work also helped lay the groundwork for potential vaccines and gene therapies. Jeré Longman Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:55:41 +0000 Roizman, Bernard (1929-2026) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Herpes Viruses Genetics and Heredity Deaths (Obituaries) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/arizona-nevada-san-diego-water.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/arizona-nevada-san-diego-water.html A decade-old treatment plant in San Diego County, Calif., could leave more water in the Colorado River for states facing severe shortages. Scott Dance Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:52:45 +0000 Water Desalination Nevada Arizona Colorado River San Diego County (Calif) Oceans and Seas Shortages Drought Conservation of Resources Sandy Huffaker for The New York Times From left, Dan Denham of the San Diego County Water Authority; Scott Cameron of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Tom Buschatzke of the Arizona Department of Water Resources; and Colby Pellegrino of the Southern Nevada Water Authority toasted the agreement at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/trump-ocean-monitor-european-union.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/trump-ocean-monitor-european-union.html Days after the U.S. said it would kill a network of ocean monitors, European officials pledged to invest more in their version, calling it a “necessity.” Chico Harlan Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:01:41 +0000 Oceans and Seas Global Warming European Union National Science Foundation European Commission Marta Masdeu Navarro/Shutterstock The European plan to invest roughly $107 million comes as the U.S. has said it would dismantle a sprawling network of sensors. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/greenpeace-energy-transfer-slapp-lawsuit-dakota-access-pipeline.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/climate/greenpeace-energy-transfer-slapp-lawsuit-dakota-access-pipeline.html Greenpeace International is arguing under Dutch law that an American pipeline company, Energy Transfer, sought to silence it with a costly lawsuit in North Dakota. Karen Zraick Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:03:58 +0000 Suits and Litigation (Civil) Pipelines Global Warming Environment Energy Transfer Partners LP Greenpeace Amsterdam (Netherlands) North Dakota Alyssa Schukar for The New York Times Demonstrators against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota in 2016. The lawsuits are centered on Greenpeace’s involvement in the protests. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/climate/new-york-lawsuit-trump-offshore-wind.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/climate/new-york-lawsuit-trump-offshore-wind.html The lawsuit argues that it is illegal to pay the French energy giant TotalEnergies $795 million to cancel a planned wind farm off New York. Maxine Joselow Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:33:41 +0000 TotalEnergies SE Wind Power Suits and Litigation (Civil) Federal-State Relations (US) Interior Department Justice Department Trump, Donald J New York State Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Jersey Rhode Island Vermont Joshua A. Bickel/Associated Press Turbines are visible at Sunrise Wind offshore wind farm under construction off the coast of Montauk Point, N.Y. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/world/asia/japan-crested-ibis.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/world/asia/japan-crested-ibis.html Once widespread in Japan, the colorful birds went from being fairly commonplace in the country to being on the verge of extinction. Ephrat Livni Tue, 02 Jun 2026 01:09:00 +0000 Japan Endangered and Extinct Species Birds Honshu (Japan) China Conservation of Resources Pool photo by Kyodo News Two crested ibises were released into the wild during a ceremony attended by Japan’s crown prince and princess on Sunday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/climate/ocean-observatories-initiative.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/climate/ocean-observatories-initiative.html The $368 million network of instruments collecting data in both the Atlantic and Pacific has been critical to climate and ocean research. Eric Niiler Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:31:25 +0000 Oceans and Seas Global Warming Research Science and Technology National Science Foundation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ocean Observatories Initiative Rebecca Travis/WHOI A mooring that was used in the Ocean Observatories Initiative was recovered after operating for a year in the Gulf of Alaska. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/climate/2025-wildfire-damage.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/climate/2025-wildfire-damage.html Severe, hard-to-control blazes in densely populated areas like Los Angeles drove the year’s record losses. Rebecca Dzombak Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:28:31 +0000 Wildfires Two Thousand Twenty Five Insurance Southern California Wildfires (Jan 2025) Deaths (Fatalities) Research Urban Areas Canada Europe South Korea Nature (Journal) Matthew Jones University of East Anglia Loren Elliott for The New York Times Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025. Fires in the Los Angeles area last year burned at least 90 square miles, killing at least 31 people and displacing more than 150,000. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/science/blue-micromoon.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/science/blue-micromoon.html The second full moon of May will look smaller and dimmer than usual. Katrina Miller Sat, 30 May 2026 12:35:36 +0000 Moon Space and Astronomy Ognen Teofilovski/Reuters A micromoon rising over North Macedonia last year. A blue moon is when a second full moon occurs in a single calendar month, while a micromoon is when it is at its farthest distance from Earth. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/well/medical-aid-in-dying.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/well/medical-aid-in-dying.html Despite widespread support in polls, the number of people who actually go through with the practice remains very small. Paula Span Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:34:12 +0000 Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Law and Legislation Death and Dying States (US) Polls and Public Opinion United States Bianca Bagnarelli https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/business/china-lung-cancer-drugs-asco.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/business/china-lung-cancer-drugs-asco.html Clinical trials in China are getting attention at an international oncology gathering in Chicago. China’s surging biotechnology industry is fueling alarm that U.S. dominance in the field is waning. Rebecca Robbins and Gina Kolata Sun, 31 May 2026 16:07:44 +0000 China Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) Clinical Trials Cancer Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Biotechnology and Bioengineering Medicine and Health United States International Relations American Society of Clinical Oncology Food and Drug Administration Kennedy, Robert F Jr Trump, Donald J Zach Boyden-Holmes/ASCO The American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago last year. One of the conference’s coveted headliners this year is a presentation of a clinical trial conducted only in China. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/technology/blue-origin-amazon-rocket-explosion.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/technology/blue-origin-amazon-rocket-explosion.html Jeff Bezos was gaining ground on Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink. Thursday’s rocket explosion on a launchpad creates a major setback. Karen Weise Fri, 29 May 2026 21:51:12 +0000 Blue Origin Explosions (Accidental) Private Spaceflight Rocket Science and Propulsion Amazon.com Inc Bezos, Jeffrey P Satellites Artemis Program Space Exploration Technologies Corp Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) Cape Canaveral (Fla) Nasaspaceflight.com, via Reuters Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on its launchpad during a test. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/climate/clean-energy-pac-chip-roy.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/climate/clean-energy-pac-chip-roy.html A PAC representing wind and solar energy interests spent $1.1 million to boost the Republican primary opponent of Chip Roy, an opponent of renewables. Now they are trying to save a Republican ally in Iowa. Lisa Friedman Fri, 29 May 2026 19:47:14 +0000 Alternative and Renewable Energy Wind Power Solar Energy Republican Party Political Action Committees Campaign Finance Larsen, Chris (1960- ) Ripple Labs Inc United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Conservatism (US Politics) House of Representatives Middleton, Mayes Miller-Meeks, Mariannette Roy, Chip (1972- ) Iowa Texas Elections, House of Representatives Elections, Attorneys General Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times A group of renewable energy investors paid for this projection on the side of the Energy Department building in Washington gloating over Representative Chip Roy’s defeat in a Republican primary for Texas attorney general. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/south-carolina-sonic-boom.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/south-carolina-sonic-boom.html A huge noise rattled part of the state on Thursday. Multiple theories have been put forward, but the mystery remains. Victor Mather Fri, 29 May 2026 17:46:24 +0000 Noise South Carolina Columbia (SC)