Innovations
Scientists Identify the Gene Behind Thorny Roses and Other Prickly Plants
A recent study could pave the way to cultivating various thornless plants, making them easier to grow and potentially more widely available
Groundbreaking Mission Attempting the First Private Astronaut Spacewalk Will Target Tuesday Launch
Polaris Dawn is set to be the farthest humans have traveled from Earth since the Apollo program and will test new technology in a "radiation belt" surrounding our planet
Largest Diamond Since 1905 Unearthed by Miners in Botswana
Volcanic eruptions long ago brought the 2,492-carat diamond—the latest in a string of stunning discoveries over the last decade—to the surface
Scientists Suggest Freezing Endangered Animals' Cells and Preserving Them on the Moon
Shadowed areas in lunar craters may be cold enough to safeguard species' DNA amid "climate disasters and social disasters" on Earth, according to Smithsonian-led research
Two Ancient Wells Discovered in England Suggest Even the Romans Used Trial and Error
After the first well collapsed, the local builders incorporated wooden planks to hold up the walls of the second
The Long, Strange History of Teflon, the Indestructible Product Nothing Seems to Stick to
Chemists accidentally discovered the material in 1938, and since then it has been used for everything from helping to create the first atomic bomb to keeping your eggs from sticking to your frying pan
Weight Loss and Diabetes Drug Could Slow Alzheimer's Progression, Preliminary Study Suggests
In a year-long trial, people who received a daily injection of liraglutide showed an 18 percent lower cognitive decline than people who received a placebo
How a Blue SUV Named Stanley Revolutionized Driverless Car Technology
Almost 20 years ago, a Volkswagen Touareg, now on view at the National Museum of American History, won a competition and led to the “birth moment” of self-driving cars
Humans Could Warm Up Mars for Space Travelers by Spraying Tiny Metal Rods Into Its Atmosphere
Researchers propose a new technique for making the Red Planet more habitable by engineering heat-trapping nanoparticles from Martian dust
Your Microwave Is Teeming With Bacteria, Study Suggests
Researchers found thriving communities of microbes in microwave ovens used in home kitchens, shared spaces and laboratories
How the Olympic Village Evolved From Makeshift Cabins to a City Within a City
The athletes' accommodations have come a long way in the last 100 years, expanding into modern global hubs
This Innovative Device Allows South American Paleontologists to Share Fossils With the World
PaleoScan offers scientists at far-flung institutions a less expensive way to digitize their collections and preserve at-risk specimens of fish, turtles, pterosaurs and more
Swimming in Schools May Help Fish Save Energy in Turbulent Waters
A new study suggests schooling fish use up to 79 percent less energy in rough conditions than fish that swim alone
Why the Eiffel Tower Has So Many Copycats
Replicas have popped up around the globe for decades, showcasing the design power and cultural significance of the world-famous French landmark
Why Is the Paris Olympics Running Track Purple?
The track incorporates recycled mussel and clam shells in a bid to help make the Summer Games the most sustainable yet
Six Innovative Ways Humans Have Kept Cool Throughout History
From sleeping porches to coastal escapes, these tips and tricks helped people deal with extreme heat before the advent of air-conditioning
From Sleek Swimsuits to Specialized Running Shoes, These Five Innovations Transformed the Olympics
Technology has advanced sports including fencing and pole vaulting
Common Blood Thinners Could Combat Snakebites, Preventing Tissue Damage and Amputations, Study Finds
An estimated 400,000 people per year are permanently disabled because of snake venom, which can cause lesions and necrosis at the bite site
New 'Butter' Made From Carbon Dioxide Tastes Like the Real Dairy Product, Startup Says
The company, called Savor, uses a synthetic fat to approximate the taste of butter and is seeking regulatory approval
James Webb's Newest Image Shows a Giant Penguin and an Egg
NASA released the dazzling portrait to help celebrate the two-year anniversary of the release of Webb's first images
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