Life

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

Briefing: Paleontologists uncover a new Spinosaurus species by following a clue from a decades‑old book into the Sahara Desert

Strategic angle: A decades-old clue leads to the discovery of a new Spinosaurus species in the Sahara.

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: A brain-computer interface allowed people with paralysis to type with their mind

Strategic angle: Two people with paralysis were able to type using a brain-computer interface that decodes attempted finger movement, a new study showed.

editorial-staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Realtime pollution alerts needed on Windermere, campaigners say after boy nearly dies

Strategic angle: Campaigners urge for immediate pollution alerts following a serious health incident involving a young boy.

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: Replacing 1m petrol cars with EVs could cut Australia’s reliance on foreign fuel by 1bn litres a year

Strategic angle: Electric vehicles reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and shift energy consumption to electricity largely produced domestically, expert says.

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: STAT+: Two more drugmakers join TrumpRx

Strategic angle: Medicare delays stall breakthrough device access, ALS carriers fear research setbacks under Trump, and more biotech news

editorial-staff Mar 16

Life

Structure Therapeutics Reports Significant Weight Loss from Mid-Stage GLP-1 Pill

An experimental obesity pill from Structure Therapeutics helped patients lose significant weight in a mid-stage trial, with a Phase 3 study in the works.

editorial-staff Mar 16

Life

Briefing: Disabled CDC staff still missing accommodations

Strategic angle: The transformation of organ transplantation, an age to start considering statins, and other health news

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