An Enzyme Reads an Eight-Letter Genetic Alphabet
UC San Diego researchers showed a key cellular enzyme can accurately transcribe a genetic code with twice the letters used by all known life.
Science
Roman's Wide Field Is Aimed at the Universe's Least-Understood Components
Dark matter and dark energy make up most of the universe and are known almost entirely by inference. Roman's survey design is built to constrain both.
An Injectable Scaffold Restored Movement in Stroke-Damaged Mice
Duke researchers developed a material that helped damaged brains grow new blood vessels, support nerve regrowth and recover motor function.
A Sea Squirt Compound Reversed Signs of Ageing in Older Mice
Stanford scientists found that a substance from edible sea squirts appeared to reverse several markers of ageing — a result that warrants interest and caution in equal measure.
Roman Telescope Begins a Million-Mile Journey on a Spy Satellite's Mirror
NASA's $4.3 billion observatory launched with a donated Hubble-class mirror originally built for reconnaissance, and faces a three-month cruise to its final orbit.
In the Oldest Old, Dementia Risk Still Tracks Sex, Race and Genetics
A study of people over 90 found women and Black participants faced notably higher risk, challenging the assumption that risk factors flatten with extreme age.
Can SpaceX's IPO Fund Mars and Make Musk a Trillionaire?
Elon Musk has a habit of turning science fiction into reality. From reusable rockets to autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots, the billionaire's ventures often achieve what was once thought impossible. With SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO), he's aiming for even bigger milestones. The company, which has stayed fiercely private for 24 years, is now preparing to go public.
Can Starship Succeed? SpaceX's Make-or-Break Test Before IPO
SpaceX's latest version of it's mega rocket Starship goes through testing as it is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Eric Gay/AP hide caption toggle caption Eric Gay/AP As SpaceX prepares for its public offering, it's undergoing a critical test of the largest rocket ever built.
Researchers Say New Tactics Are Harming Scientific Research
Harvard professor Sean Eddy, whose federal funding was terminated by the Trump administration last year, describes the loss as a "10-year hit to a lab." Jodi Hilton for NPR hide caption toggle caption Jodi Hilton for NPR Standing in his laboratory, Harvard professor Sean Eddy gazes at a row of vacant work stations.
Brain-Controlled Hearing Aids Reduce Background Noise
Hearing aids amplify everything — "indiscriminately" — wrote a group of scientists working on a system that may make brain-controlled hearing aids possible.
Brain-guided hearing aids: decoding attention to boost desired voices
Hearing aids amplify everything — "indiscriminately" — wrote a group of scientists working on a system that may make brain-controlled hearing aids possible.
How extra chromosomes help plants survive cataclysms
Many plants, including many species of bananas, have more than two sets of chromosomes. This can make the species more resilient to major environmental catastrophe, researchers find. Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images Most people are diploid. That is, we have two sets of chromosomes — one set from each parent.