Weekly Headlines (Excerpts)

1. Once thought a fantasy, effort to sequence DNA of millions of species gains momentum

Project has read 3000 genomes but needs billions to finish grand vision of sequencing all complex life

BY ELIZABETH PENNISI 5 NOV 2024 

2. In politically sensitive study, India looks to DNA to track ancient migrations

Hindu nationalists have resisted findings that migrants from European Steppe played key role in nation’s history

BY VAISHNAVI CHANDRASHEKHAR 4 NOV 2024 

3. In some U.S. states, science is on the ballot

Voters are being asked to consider climate policy, trophy hunting, and other issues

BY HANNAH RICHTER 1 NOV 2024 

4. Life evolves. So do minerals. How about everything else?

Proposed “natural law” broadening evolution finds support

BY PAUL VOOSEN 1 NOV 2024 

5. At global biodiversity summit, AI starts to make a splash

Automated tools could help nations reach conservation goals, scientists say

BY ANDREW J. WIGHT 31 OCT 2024 

6. NASA instrument to study the mysterious origins of the solar wind

By creating artificial eclipses, CODEX will track bursts of charged particles that stream from the Sun

BY HANNAH RICHTER 31 OCT 2024 

7. Can people be ‘inoculated’ against misinformation?

A strategy pioneered during the Cold War may prevent people from believing and sharing online falsehoods

BY KAI KUPFERSCHMIDT 31 OCT 2024 

8. Britain’s postwar sugar craze confirms harms of sweet diets in early life

End of sugar rationing boosted diabetes, hypertension rates years later

BY CATHERINE OFFORD 31 OCT 2024 

9. Why are parrots so colorful? Study points to simple chemical tweak

Genetic and chemical analyses reveal secret to birds’ brilliant plumage

BY ELIZABETH PENNISI 31 OCT 2024 

10. News at a glance: Reexamining Arecibo’s collapse, measuring plankton, and honoring Henrietta Lacks

The latest in science and policy

BY SCIENCE NEWS STAFF 31 OCT 2024 

11. The five biggest challenges facing misinformation researchers

The burgeoning field is still grappling with fundamental problems, from getting access to data to defining 'misinformation' in the first place

BY KAI KUPFERSCHMIDT 31 OCT 2024

12. Reconsider use of race in biomedical research, panel urges

National Academies report is latest to address concerns about how scientists rely on racial and ethnic categories

BY JOCELYN KAISER 30 OCT 2024 

13. Lab-created ‘protocells’ provide clues to how life arose

Simple ingredients could have formed first cell membranes

BY MITCH LESLIE 30 OCT 2024

14. New Alzheimer’s drugs create prescribing dilemmas for doctors

As monoclonal antibodies roll out, uncertainty about their risks and benefits is dividing physicians

BY JENNIFER COUZIN-FRANKEL 29 OCT 2024 

15. Key global bioethics guidelines get ‘dramatic’ update

Revised Declaration of Helsinki stresses need for equity, protection of vulnerable groups, and research integrity

 BY CATHLEEN O’GRADY 29 OCT 2024 

16. Rare disease initiative aims to speed diagnoses and treatment in Latin America

A network of researchers, clinicians, and patient groups wants genetic screening and data access to improve how rare conditions are identified and studied

BY MYRIAM VIDAL VALERO 28 OCT 2024