Science

on August 13, 2020 at 7:13 am

With the exception of three anomalous days this summer, Wednesday’s U.S. total of more than 1,470 deaths was the highest since late May. Experts say the nation’s new coronavirus database creates problems for hospitals.

by Gina Kolata and Tomás Karmelo Amaya on August 13, 2020 at 7:00 am

As the coronavirus spread on the Fort Apache reservation in Arizona, medical teams sought out residents who might have been exposed. The effort paid off in unexpected ways.

by Katherine J. Wu on August 13, 2020 at 4:15 am

By studying the numerous ways animals keep their eyes wet and healthy, scientists hope to help address human vision problems.

by ebetz@discovermagazine.com (Eric Betz) on August 12, 2020 at 9:00 pm

Kids and adults can get involved these citizen science experiments from NASA researchers. Each one comes with educational materials that can help you learn about everything from alien planets to finding asteroids.

by Lisa Friedman on August 12, 2020 at 8:30 pm

Climate change leaders said the choice of Harris signaled that Democrats will try to ensure that communities burdened by pollution would benefit from a transition to clean energy.

by Randy Harris on August 12, 2020 at 7:52 pm

Pollution, development and overharvesting have greatly diminished America’s natural oyster habitat. Aquaculture and adaptable farmers have changed the game.

by Katherine J. Wu on August 12, 2020 at 6:27 pm

A Brazilian frog species engages in reproductive behavior never seen in amphibians before.

on August 12, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Lab rats can be taught to identify patterns and babies learn to recognize their mothers’ faces, but IBM’s Watson achieved that most impressive of feats: becoming a Jeopardy! champ.

by Asher Elbein on August 12, 2020 at 2:31 pm

Important mysteries have been solved about a reptile with a giraffe-like neck that hunted prey 242 million years ago.

by ewklemetti@gmail.com (Erik Klemetti) on August 12, 2020 at 2:00 pm

A swarm of earthquakes near California’s Salton Sea has led the U.S. Geological Survey to issue a forecast on the potential for a large quake.

on August 12, 2020 at 9:28 am

Russia approved a vaccine that has yet to complete clinical trials. The White House announced a deal to manufacture 100 million doses of its vaccine candidate. New Zealand returned to a partial lockdown.

by Donald G. McNeil Jr. on August 12, 2020 at 12:33 am

The E.P.A. has approved nootkatone, which is found in cedars and grapefruit. It repels ticks, mosquitoes and other dangerous bugs for hours, but is safe enough to eat.

by James Gorman on August 11, 2020 at 11:25 pm

Once again, insects prove to be more complicated than scientists thought they were.

by Andrew E. Kramer on August 11, 2020 at 10:43 pm

The country became the first in the world to approve a possible vaccine against the virus, despite warnings from the global authorities against cutting corners.

on August 11, 2020 at 7:15 pm

The Trump administration is ordering schools on Native American reservations to reopen. California’s chief health officer has resigned. The pandemic has now sickened more than 20 million people, according to a Times database.

on August 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Researchers have figured out how to use a gene-editing tool called CRISPR 2.0 to prevent and treat deafness. But many deaf people are happy the way they are.

by fakenameish@discover.com (Geoffrey Giller) on August 11, 2020 at 5:00 pm

An ecologist brings his background to bear on bird brains.

by Bryan Pietsch on August 11, 2020 at 4:43 pm

The pandemic could change unexpected parts of our lives for years to come, experts say.

by Veronique Greenwood on August 11, 2020 at 4:34 pm

Slabs of fat help give Viburnum tinus its gleam.

by Apoorva Mandavilli on August 11, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Airborne virus plays a significant role in community transmission, many experts believe. A new study fills in the missing piece: Floating virus can infect cells.

on August 11, 2020 at 3:00 pm

In a future ravaged by climate change, one animal may come out on top: jellyfish.