Life

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

Briefing: Ultrafast Light Pulses Make Molecules Rotate on Quantum Materials

Strategic angle: Researchers from Germany, Japan, and India have discovered a method to induce molecular rotation on a flat surface using ultrafast light pulses.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Nearby red dwarf star hosts at least four planets—with one in the habitable zone

Strategic angle: Astronomers confirm two additional planets orbiting GJ 887, adding to the existing knowledge of its planetary system.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Antarctic sea ice rebounds in 2026, nearing average after four years

Strategic angle: Antarctic sea ice coverage has likely rebounded this year, coming closer to its annual summer average after four years of extreme lows, US scientists said Monday.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Students with lower self-control tend to procrastinate with short-form video, study finds

Strategic angle: New research reveals a link between self-control and procrastination in the context of short-form video consumption.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: From carp to crocodilians: Why deliberately introduced freshwater giants may bring hidden risks

Strategic angle: Exploring the ecological consequences of introducing large freshwater species outside their natural habitats.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: How a shift in the Gulf Stream could signal the collapse of a major ocean current system

Strategic angle: Changes in the Gulf Stream could serve as an early warning of the imminent collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Experts challenge idea that social media harms teen empathy

Strategic angle: A new meta-analysis suggests that increased social media use may correlate with higher empathy in teenagers.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Pathogenic virus infects and structurally reorganizes human cells, finds new study

Strategic angle: A study reveals how orthohantaviruses, like the Puumala virus, pose a significant zoonotic threat by affecting human cell structure.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Lactose-free milk presents an opportunity to boost dairy consumption and coffee shop visits with coffee drinkers

Strategic angle: A new study highlights the potential of lactose-free milk to enhance coffee shop experiences and increase dairy sales.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: A brighter future may not suit everyone: Polar cod face difficulties due to warming

Strategic angle: As the Arctic warms and sea ice thaws, polar cod struggle to adapt to changing conditions.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Silicone wristbands can help scientists track people's exposure to pollutants like 'forever chemicals'

Strategic angle: A new study reveals how wearable technology can monitor environmental pollutants in daily life.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Narrow-ridged finless porpoises are more social than assumed, study finds

Strategic angle: A new study reveals surprising social behaviors in narrow-ridged finless porpoises, challenging previous assumptions about their social structures.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: NASA to Share Artemis II Flight Readiness Review Update

Strategic angle: NASA will host a news conference to highlight progress toward the Artemis II crewed mission around the Moon.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Flammability Testing Configuration and Approach of Barrier Material Assemblies Designed for Space Flight Applications

Strategic angle: NASA collaborates with experts to enhance safety in space flight through innovative flammability testing.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Camera captures first video of a red fox attacking a wolf pup

Strategic angle: Unprecedented footage reveals a red fox challenging the natural order by attacking a wolf pup in Italy.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: ESA Analyzing Fireball Over Europe on 8 March 2026

Strategic angle: A bright fireball was observed across multiple European countries, prompting investigation by the European Space Agency.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Multi-wavelength observations track bright gamma-ray blazar's three-year cycle

Strategic angle: European astronomers analyze data from various observatories to study the gamma-ray blazar S5 1044+71.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: First Starship V3 launch slips

Strategic angle: SpaceX is delaying the launch of its latest Starship version despite NASA's request for expedited lunar lander development.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Cattle grazing boosts nature recovery in Yorkshire Dales

Strategic angle: Research shows that cattle grazing has significantly increased plant diversity in the Yorkshire Dales.

editorial-staff Mar 9

Life

Briefing: Cornwall ocean study highlights value of low-cost eDNA tests

Strategic angle: A new study reveals the potential of affordable environmental DNA tests for monitoring ocean wildlife.

editorial-staff Mar 9