Life

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

Briefing: Sugar-processing enzyme has a hidden second job—controlling when cells divide

Strategic angle: A metabolic enzyme studied for over seven decades has a hidden second function—it can unwind RNA and promote cell cycle progression, according to a new study.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Whale song remix: Study shows that humpbacks shift pitch when a neighbor joins in

Strategic angle: A humpback whale alters the pitch of its song when joined by a neighboring singer, revealing new insights into the complexity of whale communication.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Ocean bacteria team up to break down biodegradable plastic

Strategic angle: Biodegradable plastics could help alleviate the plastic waste crisis, but understanding their degradation process is crucial.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: ISS Study Identifies Thresholds for Muscle Atrophy and Fiber Changes in Reduced Gravity

Strategic angle: Research reveals critical gravity levels necessary for muscle health during spaceflight.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Failing to succeed: Why post‑secondary students need more room to mess up

Strategic angle: University students today face a confusing mix of messages about failure, navigating systems that often penalize mistakes.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Coastal ocean chemistry now substantially shaped by humans

Strategic angle: A global analysis reveals the significant impact of human-made chemicals on coastal ocean organic matter.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: The seven hour explosion nobody could explain

Strategic angle: Gamma-ray bursts are the most violent explosions in the universe, releasing immense energy in a fraction of a second.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Melagen Labs and Satlyt Announce Joint ISS Mission to Demonstrate Radiation-Resilient In-Orbit Computing and Next-Gen Shielding

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking mission aboard the ISS aims to showcase advanced technology for space resilience.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Managed retreat in Europe more widespread than previously assumed

Strategic angle: European countries increasingly resort to managed retreat in response to environmental threats.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Oldest known whale recording could unlock mysteries of the ocean

Strategic angle: A haunting whale song discovered on decades-old audio equipment could open up a new understanding of how the huge animals communicate.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Globular cluster NGC 5824 is embedded in a dark matter halo, study suggests

Strategic angle: Astronomers investigate NGC 5824 using advanced telescopes, revealing its dark matter halo.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: SpaceX and Reflect Orbital plans would 'permanently scar' night sky, researchers warn

Strategic angle: The Royal Astronomical Society raises concerns over the impact of satellite launches on ground-based astronomy.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: New Moog Innovations for the Satellite Market on Full Display at SATELLITE 2026 Conference

Strategic angle: Moog Inc. showcases cutting-edge technologies for satellite applications at the upcoming conference.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Plastic bottles transformed into Parkinson's drug using bacteria

Strategic angle: A pioneering method converts waste plastic into a vital medication for Parkinson's disease.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: A new class of molten planet stores abundant sulfur in a perpetual magma ocean

Strategic angle: A study led by the University of Oxford reveals a new type of planet beyond our solar system with significant sulfur reserves in a magma ocean.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Could reduced air pollution from climate mitigation boost crop yields and lower hunger risk?

Strategic angle: An international research team found that climate mitigation consistent with the 1.5 °C target could raise global hunger risk in 2050 by 17% compared to a baseline scenario.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Cells can sense 10x farther than expected and it may explain cancer spread

Strategic angle: Scientists have discovered that cells can sense far beyond the surfaces they touch, shedding light on cancer cell behavior.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Archaeologists untangle how Bronze Age textiles were made

Strategic angle: Analysis and reconstruction of a warp-weighted loom from the second millennium BC site of Cabezo Redondo, Spain, provides an unprecedented glimpse into the development of textile technology in the Bronze Age western Mediterranean.

Editorial Staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Starcloud files plans for 88,000-satellite constellation

Strategic angle: An orbital data center startup is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a constellation of as many as 88,000 satellites.

Editorial Staff Mar 15

Life

Briefing: Pesticides from flea treatments and sheep dips found at damaging levels in Welsh rivers

Strategic angle: New research reveals alarming levels of pesticides in Welsh rivers, posing potential environmental risks.

Editorial Staff Mar 15