Life

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

Briefing: Queensland floods: police believe bodies found are those of missing backpackers

Strategic angle: Two international tourists travelling to flood-ravaged North Burnett region from Brisbane thought to be first flood-related deaths.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Earth's ice is melting: Where and how fast?

Strategic angle: Melting glaciers and ice sheets are raising sea levels while the Arctic is poised to log one of its worst winters on record.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Plants pause, play and fast-forward their growth depending on types of climate stress

Strategic angle: A new study reveals how plants manage their growth in response to climate stress, aiding in recovery and food production.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: AI Weather Models Show Promise for Hurricane Forecasts

Strategic angle: New study reveals key physical limitations despite advancements in AI-driven weather prediction.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Goal-setting apps can backfire if goals are too easy—or too hard

Strategic angle: A study reveals that the effectiveness of goal-setting apps hinges on the difficulty of the goals set by users.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Researchers use AI to develop RNA-based synthetic NAND switch in living cells

Strategic angle: An interdisciplinary research team has created the first RNA-based genetic switch that mimics the logical behavior of a NAND gate.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Microplastic biofilms carry genes that could alter nutrient cycling in estuaries

Strategic angle: A study reveals that microbial communities on microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay may impact nutrient cycling.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Female aggression, not just mate choice, may speed mosquitofish speciation

Strategic angle: A study shows that female mosquitofish exhibit aggressive behaviors that contribute to behavioral isolation and speciation.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Florida's most at-risk bat moves into safer artificial roosts

Strategic angle: Endangered bonneted bats find refuge in man-made habitats as natural options dwindle.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Uncovering the hidden bacteria often mistaken for cholera

Strategic angle: Scientists have created a genomic blueprint for Aeromonas bacteria, which can cause antibiotic-resistant diarrheal disease—with symptoms often misidentified as cholera—in humans and animals.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Fish study shows that sexual harassment behavior might matter for ecosystems

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that social behaviors related to mating in fish can significantly impact their ecosystems.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Generative AI could empower girls in STEM

Strategic angle: New research highlights the role of teachers in leveraging Generative AI to enhance girls' participation in STEM.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Stacked quantum materials enable precise spin control without external magnetic fields

Strategic angle: A breakthrough in spintronics could lead to ultra-energy-efficient electronics by overcoming challenges in controlling electron magnetic states.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Simulations suggest a breakthrough in understanding how turbulence develops

Strategic angle: A new study revisits a century-old question about how turbulence starts, with implications for aircraft engineering and medical devices.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Fluid Simulation at Unprecedented Scale Provides Toolkit for Fundamental Physics and Applied Fluid Engineering

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking study explores the dynamics of fluid particles, offering insights into natural phenomena and engineering applications.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Artificial kinetochores take the pressure off aging chromosomes during meiosis

Strategic angle: New research reveals how artificial kinetochores can improve chromosome segregation in aging oocytes.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: How climate-friendly is insect protein really?

Strategic angle: Exploring the sustainability and nutritional benefits of black soldier fly larvae as a protein source.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Compact vacuum ultraviolet laser may improve nanotechnology and power nuclear clocks

Strategic angle: Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a highly efficient vacuum ultraviolet laser that could revolutionize nanotechnology and nuclear clocks.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Galaxy-group motion suggests slower expansion in our cosmic neighborhood

Strategic angle: New studies reveal a novel method for measuring cosmic expansion through nearby galaxy group motion.

Editorial Staff Mar 11

Life

Briefing: Astronomers collect rare evidence of two planets colliding

Strategic angle: An unexpected discovery reveals the chaotic aftermath of a planetary collision.

Editorial Staff Mar 11