Destination Earth will begin in a few months and is expected to last for a decade. A key component of the program is the creation of a “digital twin” of Earth, which will see climate scientists and computer scientists collaborate at a previously unprecedented level. read more

The newly landed Perseverance rover doesn’t need to worry about getting struck by lightning or Mars’ electrical charge affecting any of its mechanical operations. According to a new study, the red planet does not give off a strong enough electrical discharge to do any damage, whether to roaming robotic labs or future human inhabitants. read more

In October, researchers showed that a specific gene variant inherited from Neanderthals makes it 3x more likely for modern-day humans to develop severe COVID-19 when infected with the virus. Now, those same researchers show Neandertals also contributed a protective gene variant that reduces the risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19 by 20 percent. read more

The mystery is not how elephants came to have an extremely low risk of cancer, it’s why. Research has already answered the how—elephants possess extra copies of tumor-suppressor genes, leaving the species essentially cancer-resistant. But why? read more

In a new paper, researchers suggest there are too many differences between bat coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 for the small mammals to be the culprits. Instead, perhaps another species played an intermediate role, or maybe a bat coronavirus merged with another coronavirus to create the deadly SARS-CoV-2 version. read more

In an article titled, "Ten simple rules for women principal investigators during a pandemic," a network of women PIs share suggestions for how to better balance work and life during these unprecedented times. read more

Somewhat by accident, Kerr successfully decreased the scale of the experiment from 100 L to a mere 1.5 mL— a proverbial drop in the ocean. “To be honest, I was feeling a little lazy, so decided to see if I could do the same experiment on a much smaller scale,” Kerr said. read more

Scientists and researchers are using their years of experience researching and identifying odors to help train and improve the ability of COVID-19 detector dogs. read more

Australian researchers have taken steps toward a new class of antibiotics for resistant bacteria—the first in more than 60 years. For the first time, researchers have shown that synthetic cannabidiol, or CBD, can kill Neisseria gonorrhea, the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea. read more

For recovered individuals, COVID-19 is likely to contribute to a higher long-term risk of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to a new journal article published in Alzheimer's & Dementia. read more