Basic Research

WATCH: How and when to see the ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse

By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas

For much of the eastern half of North America, a partial eclipse will be visible on Thursday between about 5 and 6:30 a.m, turning the sun into a kind of crescent at dawn.

How NASA is hunting for signs of life on Mars

By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas

Researchers hope to gain a better sense of whether primordial life once existed on our celestial neighbor, and how technology may pave the way for astronauts to sustain their own lives during future voyages to the Red Planet.

WATCH: Bill Nye testifies before Congress about impacts of climate change on homeland security

By Associated Press

Bill Nye testified before Congress about impacts of climate change on homeland security.

Carbon dioxide in the air has reached another dangerous milestone

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

The annual peak of global heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the air has reached 50% higher than when the industrial age began. And the average rate of increase is faster than ever, scientists say.

Researchers may have sequenced the ‘final unknown’ of the human genome

By Matthew Herper, STAT News

The claim, if confirmed, surpasses the achievement laid out by leaders from the Human Genome Project and Celera Genomics in 2000.

WATCH: NASA picks Venus as hot spot for two new robotic missions

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

The space agency's new administrator, Bill Nelson, announced two new robotic missions to the solar system's hottest planet, during his first major address to employees Wednesday.

Scientists hope they’re closing in on a cure for COVID-19

By Corey Meador

Doctors have some medications they can use to treat the effects of COVID-19, but scientists are searching for effective drugs that target the virus itself. Two promising drugs in the pipeline offer hope for a cure.

5 things you should know about the Mars 2020 mission

By Miles O'Brien

Perseverance is expected to land on the Red Planet Thursday after a seven-month journey. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien previews the nailbiter landing, what scientists are hoping to learn, and the innovations on board.

From north to south pole, climate scientists grapple with pandemic disruptions

By Fedor Kossakovski

Researchers are working within the limitations and developing innovative solutions -- and some say they have new perspectives on how human health is connected to the health of the planet.

This biologist is figuring out how to short-circuit sperm as birth control

By Laura Santhanam

Tens of millions of people use some form of birth control in the United States, and innovation could expand non-hormonal options for those who have been unable to use conventional means.