Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Briefing: Failed experiment leads to surprise drug development breakthrough

Strategic angle: Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new way to alter complex drug molecules using light rather than toxic chemicals.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Caught but not eaten: Smaller insects more likely to escape catfish mouths

Strategic angle: A Kobe University study reveals that small aquatic beetles can survive catfish attacks by resisting ingestion and being spat out alive.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Meet Crocodylus lucivenator, a 12- to 15-foot predator that hunted iconic Lucy's species

Strategic angle: More than 3 million years ago, when our ancient ancestors embodied by the iconic Lucy were roaming the African landscape, they would have feared a big, bad crocodile with a prominent lump on its head.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Firefly Alpha returns to flight

Strategic angle: Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket successfully returned to flight March 11, launching a technology demonstration mission more than 10 months after the rocket’s previous launch failed.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Dust Outbreak Reaches Europe

Strategic angle: Clouds of dust lofted from the Sahara Desert brought hazy skies and muddy rain to Western Europe.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Your cat is likely to live longer if you don't let them roam—new study

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that keeping domestic cats indoors can significantly extend their lifespan.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: What's it like to be a bat? Scientists develop new solution to the puzzle of animal minds

Strategic angle: Philosopher Thomas Nagel's question from 1974 inspires new insights into understanding animal consciousness.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: The Rubin Observatory's LSST will detect imminent impactors before they crash into Earth

Strategic angle: The Vera Rubin Observatory is set to revolutionize our understanding of near-Earth objects with its advanced alert system.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Enpulsion raises $26 million

Strategic angle: Austrian company secures funding to boost satellite propulsion production and explore acquisitions.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: Island warbler study finds immune genes shape gut bacteria in the wild

Strategic angle: Scientists at the University of East Anglia uncover a link between gut health and the immune system through the Seychelles warbler.

Editorial Staff Mar 12

Life

Briefing: DNA origami vaccine rivals mRNA shots while being easier to store and manufacture

Strategic angle: A new DNA origami vaccine shows promise in competing with mRNA vaccines, offering advantages in storage and manufacturing.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: New view of 'frameshifting' shows how genetic info can get 'lost in translation'

Strategic angle: Christine Dunham explores the complexities of the ribosome and its role in protein synthesis.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Earth's ice is melting: Where and how fast?

Strategic angle: Melting glaciers and ice sheets are raising sea levels while the Arctic is poised to log one of its worst winters on record.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Plants pause, play and fast-forward their growth depending on types of climate stress

Strategic angle: A new study reveals how plants manage their growth in response to climate stress, aiding in recovery and food production.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: AI Weather Models Show Promise for Hurricane Forecasts

Strategic angle: New study reveals key physical limitations despite advancements in AI-driven weather prediction.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Goal-setting apps can backfire if goals are too easy—or too hard

Strategic angle: A study reveals that the effectiveness of goal-setting apps hinges on the difficulty of the goals set by users.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Researchers use AI to develop RNA-based synthetic NAND switch in living cells

Strategic angle: An interdisciplinary research team has created the first RNA-based genetic switch that mimics the logical behavior of a NAND gate.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Microplastic biofilms carry genes that could alter nutrient cycling in estuaries

Strategic angle: A study reveals that microbial communities on microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay may impact nutrient cycling.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Female aggression, not just mate choice, may speed mosquitofish speciation

Strategic angle: A study shows that female mosquitofish exhibit aggressive behaviors that contribute to behavioral isolation and speciation.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Florida's most at-risk bat moves into safer artificial roosts

Strategic angle: Endangered bonneted bats find refuge in man-made habitats as natural options dwindle.

Editorial Staff Mar 11