Biology
Found: Africa's Oldest Penguins
A new fossil discovery could shed light on why the number of penguin species plummeted on Africa's coastline from four species 5 million years ago to just one today—the jackass penguin
Stories by Tia Ghose
Evolution
2,400-Year-Old Myths of Mummy-Making Busted
Despite detailed descriptions by Herodotus, very few mummies, if any, were eviscerated with cedar oil enemas, research suggests
Evolution
3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Skeletons Reveal Lower Classes' Hard Lives
More than three quarters of the adults showed signs of degenerative joint disease, likely from hauling heavy loads, and about two thirds of these adults had at least one broken bone
Space & Physics
Ultrafast Stars Discovered Racing through the Galaxy
Rocketing through space at more than three million kilometers per hour, six speedy stars were likely ejected from the giant black hole in the center of the Milky Way
The Sciences
Battered Skulls Reveal Violence among Stone Age Women
Contrary to findings from mass Stone Age graves, women were equally as likely to be victims of deadly blows as men
Biology
The Origins of the Olive Tree Revealed
DNA analysis reveals the olive was first domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago
Math
Largest Prime Number Discovered
A U.S. mathematician used a giant network of computers to find a new prime number--17,425,170 digits long
Mind & Brain
Emotional Smarts Tied to General IQ
The same brain regions that perform cognitive tasks may also provide social intelligence, according to a new study
The Sciences
Tiny Distractions Can Double Mistakes
Just a three-second distraction, such as glancing at your phone, can divert your attention and double the number of mistakes you make
Health
People without Gene for Underarm Odor Still Wear Deodorant
Societal norms often dictate the products people use even if they don’t need them
The Sciences
Mysterious Shaman Stones Uncovered in Panama
An almost 5,000-year-old collection of precious stones may be the earliest evidence of shamanic rituals in Central America
Environment
Climate Change May Increase Volcanic Eruptions
Rising sea levels caused by global warming could fuel more volcanic eruptions, possibly resulting in mass extinctions
Math
Like Math? Thank Your Motivation, Not IQ
People who were driven by their own interest improved their math skills the most. IQ or external factors such as parental pressure or grades didn't create a lasting boost
Evolution
Human Hands Evolved for Fighting, Study Suggests
A clenched fist locks the index finger and middle finger into place, an opportune configuration for dealing deadly blows
Mind & Brain
Human Intelligence Secrets Revealed by Chimp Brains
Unlike the case in human brains, neural connectivity does not rapidly augment in chimpanzee brains during the first two years of life, which may explain our unique intelligence
The Sciences
Mystery of Mass Squid "Suicides" Possibly Solved
Thousands of jumbo squid have beached themselves along the coast of Monterey Bay, Calif., and some scientists have blamed the behavior on lethal toxins produced by this year's red tides
The Sciences
Italy Earthquake Case Forces Geologists to Rethink Risk
Italian scientists sentenced to prison time for failure to predict an earthquake have researchers worldwide concerned about the way they assess and convey risk
Mind & Brain
Brain Chemistry May Explain Bizarre Perpetual Sleepiness
A medication currently used to treat drug overdoses appears to help patients regulate brain chemicals linked to hypersomnia
The Sciences
Iceman Mummy Finds His Closest Relatives
A new genetic analysis reveals that Ötzi the Iceman is most closely related to modern-day Sardinian
The Sciences
Hurricane Sandy May Affect Election Outcome
The superstorm could boost President Obama's numbers in this year's election
