Basic Research

Being social may be good for your gut

By Nsikan Akpan

When social, chimps swap gut bacteria, and the pattern may alter their and our health.

What did Obama just say? Experts read between the lines

By Jenny Marder, Daniel Bush

President Barack Obama spent his final State of the Union speech last night defending his record in office on everything from climate change and healthcare to national security and education. But his legacy is complicated, and understanding it requires some…

U.S. wildlife officials propose reclassifying manatees’ endangered status

By Joshua Barajas

Federal wildlife officials announced Thursday that the West Indian manatee, which once drifted close to extinction, will be reclassified as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.

If you get chikungunya this summer, maybe blame El Niño

By Nsikan Akpan

El Niño has a history of favoring tropical disease in the U.S. With chikungunya and Zika virus knocking on the door, scientists describe what might be in store for the U.S. next year.

Think El Niño is weird now? Just wait for this summer

By Nsikan Akpan

Scientists predict what El Niño might mean for the cost of cookies, the quality of marijuana and the arrival of DC's cherry blossoms.

4 new elements complete periodic table’s seventh row

By Nsikan Akpan

Four new elements have been added to the periodic table. One will soon become the first named by Asian researchers.

Don’t blame grandma yet, but your asthma may be her fault

By Nsikan Akpan

Emerging research into epigenetics may rewrite the fates of those dealing with diseases like asthma, schizophrenia and obesity.

TVs, radar guns and other technologies linked to Einstein’s theories of relativity

By Nsikan Akpan

If you’ve ever received a speeding ticket, you can thank Albert Einstein.

Bats flip like Tony Hawk to land upside down

By Nsikan Akpan

A new study uses high-speed video and computer graphics uncover how bats make acrobatic flips and land upside down.

The switch that could turn off your nightmares and dreams

By Nsikan Akpan

A renaissance is happening in the collective understanding of REM -- rapid eye movement -- sleep, which may yield a day when scientists could shut off nightmares and dreams.