How this 18-year-old’s love of origami helped him win a $100,000 at a science fair
4 min read
This 16-year-old built an autonomous AI-powered robot turtle that finds microplastics in water
Evan Budz, 16, won a $50,000 scholarship at the International Science and Engineering Fair in May for his microplastic-seeking robot turtle.
5 min read
A physicist explains the overlooked problem that could doom Elon Musk’s Mars colonization plans: dust
Astrophysicist and science writer Adam Becker discusses why the dream of life on Mars may be out of reach, maybe for centuries to come.
3 min read
Canadian wildfires are shrouding US cities in smoke and yellow haze. See the eerie photos.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across North America this week, blanketing cities in a thick yellow haze.
2 min read
How to read the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, and how it can help you stay safe from wildfire smoke
The EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) measures how safe, unhealthy, or hazardous the air outside is. Here's a guide on how to read the AQI.
3 min read
See inside Thomas Edison's New Jersey lab, where some of America's biggest inventions took shape
Thomas Edison conducted tens of thousands of experiments in his lab in West Orange, New Jersey. See what a day's work looked like inside.
9 min read
The hottest temperature ever recorded in every state
A dangerous heat wave is sweeping parts of the US, but many states set their all-time hottest temperature records decades ago.
5 min read
How FIFA spends millions on World Cup grass
FIFA has spent millions of dollars working with turf scientists to engineer 16 stadium pitches across three countries and vastly different climates.
Canceled trains, early closures, and ice cream shortages: Photos show the impact of the European heat wave
A heat wave across Europe caused record-breaking temperatures, affecting businesses, infrastructure, and daily life.
3 min read
The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion
Europe's record-breaking June heatwave has once again raised questions about low levels of air conditioning adoption in the continent.
4 min read
Algae has turned the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool green again, days after its $14.8 million makeover. Take a look.
The Trump administration spent $14.8 million painting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool an "American Flag Blue." See why the pool is green again.
3 min read
Mark Zuckerberg says you only need at least a dozen 'strong' AI researchers to make breakthroughs
Mark Zuckerberg also said the current AI moment has left him feeling a "combination of invigorated and exhausted."
3 min read
Meet the CMO trying to make nuclear fusion cool
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is ramping up outreach to creators as it looks to raise awareness of nuclear fusion among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
4 min read
Why digging 12 miles deep is almost impossible
Humans have drilled only 12.3 kilometers into the Earth and haven't gone further despite decades of tech advances. So what's stopping us?
20 things you may be recycling by mistake, and why you shouldn't be
Some items you can recycle in one city may be prohibited in another. Batteries, plastic bags, small appliances, and more may not be allowed.
10 min read
Before EPA regulations, air and water pollution shaped life across the US. See what American cities looked like then.
Federal actions like the 1970 Clean Air Act and the 1972 Clean Water Act helped regulate water and air pollution.
10 min read
DARPA says its powdered blood for future warfare works in animals. Now comes the hard part.
DARPA's synthetic blood has worked in animal testing. Now, it must overcome regulatory and cost challenges to take it into the next phase.
4 min read
Kyle, Teddy, and Nana: Here's what hurricanes will be named in 2026
The National Hurricane Center chooses storms' names in advance. This year's list of hurricane names includes Arthur, Dolly, Leah, and Wilfred.
3 min read
Blue Origin's commercial satellite launch did not go well
The New Glenn 3 rocket was intended to place a satellite into Earth's orbit, but instead deployed it at an altitude too low to function properly.
2 min read
Every test at the US Army's mad science lab
As the military prepares for conflicts in harsher climates, the US Army's Natick Labs invests millions to improve what soldiers wear, eat, and carry.
The 15 costliest US hurricanes of the 21st century, ranked
Hurricanes have only become more dangerous — and expensive — over the last 26 years.
10 min read
Memorable moments from the Artemis II mission: from a Microsoft Outlook outage to an emotional crater naming
Here are some of the best highlights and photos from the Artemis II mission that surpassed the distance records set by Apollo 13.
7 min read
As the Hubble Space Telescope turns 36, see 36 of its most breathtaking photos of space
Since its launch in April 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has been an invaluable tool for astronomers in unraveling the mysteries of the universe.
7 min read
Tech billionaires want to put data centers in space. The math could get ugly fast.
Tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are advocating for space data centers to scale AI. Scientists say it can get expensive fast.
4 min read
Astronauts on Artemis II ran into a problem every office worker recognizes
Artemis II zoomed past Earth's atmosphere without a hitch. Then came the real challenge: opening Microsoft Outlook.
2 min read
Watch the Artemis II launch that sent astronauts back to the moon for the first time since 1972
NASA successfully launched Artemis II, a 10-day lunar mission, during which four astronauts will do a flyby of the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.
The Artemis II is the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years. Photos show the US' exploration of the moon through history.
NASA's Apollo 8 mission was the first to orbit the moon. No US spacecraft has returned to the moon since 1972, but that's all about to change.
14 min read
How NASA is using AI and digital twins to replicate outer space on Earth
The aerospace industry is high-stakes. To help chart a course for Perseverance, NASA has enlisted AI and a digital twin.
5 min read
See what Fukushima looks like 15 years after the nuclear disaster
Today marks 15 years since the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan. Some parts of the surrounding area are still recovering.
7 min read
A look back at 20 of the biggest winter storms to hit the US in the last century
A powerful blizzard is bringing heavy snow and winds to parts of the Northeast, weeks after Winter Storm Fern swept across much of the US.
12 min read
Satellite photos show what the massive blizzard slamming the Northeast looks like from space
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellite captured striking photos of the blizzard slamming much of the Northeast.
2 min read
The coldest temperature ever recorded in every state
Every state except Hawaii has recorded temperatures below zero. The coldest temp, unsurprisingly, was recorded in Alaska.
16 min read
We visited the Arctic mine shaping Greenland's mineral future. Take a look inside.
Greenland is believed to hold significant deposits of rare-earth elements. Mining them, however, is another story.
3 min read
SpaceX is leaning into the moon. Here's why.
Last year, Musk said "the moon is a distraction." Now, he's talking about building a city there. The shift may be more strategic than it sounds.
5 min read
The hitchhiker's guide to Musk's SpaceX memo
Musk's memo announcing SpaceX and xAI's merger is full of space jargon. Here's your cheat sheet to bring the wonky language back down to Earth.
3 min read
SpaceX is acquiring xAI ahead of a possible IPO. Read Elon Musk's memo.
Elon Musk's mega-deal combining SpaceX and xAI is the latest sign that the billionaire is consolidating his business empire as he goes all in on AI.
7 min read
NASA's space shuttle Challenger exploded 40 years ago today, killing its 7-person crew. Photos reveal Challenger's legacy.
NASA's space shuttle Challenger completed 10 missions before it broke apart during a launch in 1986, killing seven astronauts.
4 min read
Photos show what daily life is like in Greenland, the massive ice-covered island Trump wants to acquire
President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to acquire Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous Danish territory.
12 min read
See astronauts' most awe-inspiring photos taken from the International Space Station in 2025
Photos shared by NASA show what life looked like 250 miles above Earth in 2025, including images of hurricanes, the northern lights, and city streets.
5 min read
The Silicon Valley leaders who have experimented with psychedelics
Silicon Valley has a long history with psychedelics, and some of its best-known leaders have tried, like Bill Gates, Sam Altman, and Bryan Johnson.
6 min read
Who is Jared Isaacman, the billionaire SpaceX astronaut and new head of NASA?
Jared Isaacman, an astronaut and high-school dropout-turned-billionaire, has been confirmed as the new head of NASA.
12 min read
Here are the most powerful news photos of the year
The most powerful news photos taken by Getty Images photographers in 2025 captured political unrest, natural disasters, and other major news events.
8 min read
How the world changed in 2025
A look back at 2025, as seen from space. Cameras and instruments on board satellites picked up natural events, human gatherings, and conflict.
A 13-year-old won $25,000 for his AI fall-detecting device. He used the money to develop a free app.
Kevin Tang, 13, won first place at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for his project that uses AI to help detect when a person falls in their home.
5 min read
Senate confirms Musk ally and billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman as the next NASA chief
The Senate confirmed Jared Isaacman, an ally of Elon Musk who has flown multiple SpaceX missions, as the new NASA administrator on Wednesday.
2 min read
The funniest wildlife photos of the year show animals striking hilarious poses in their natural habitats
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards recognize the funniest images in wildlife photography. Here are this year's winners.
6 min read
National Geographic unveiled its Pictures of the Year. Here are 7 of the most striking wildlife photos.
National Geographic's annual Pictures of the Year issue features stunning wildlife photos highlighting endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
3 min read
A Cold War nuclear bunker is buried deep inside a Colorado mountain. See inside the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
The Cheyenne Mountain Complex dates back to the height of the Cold War and was built to withstand Soviet nuclear attacks.
6 min read
A 14-year-old won $25,000 for origami. He discovered a pattern that can hold 10,000 times its own weight, he says.
Miles Wu, 14, said an origami fold could hold over 10,000 times its own weight, the equivalent of a NYC taxi cab holding over 4,000 elephants.
5 min read
