A star 2 billion light-years away apparently shed most of its outer layers before exploding, providing new insights into stellar structure—and new mysteries for astronomers to solve.
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Hayabusa2’s Final Target is 3 Times Smaller Than We Thought
It also spins twice as fast as previous estimates suggested. A spacecraft touchdown will be challenging, but not impossible.
What Makes Beaver Ponds Bigger?
For the first time, researchers are able to add hydrologic estimates to find where reintroducing beavers could best benefit a watershed and the humans who live within it.
Tilted Planet System? Maybe It Was Born That Way
New observations could shed light on the degree to which misalignment in a planet-forming disk contributes to skewed planetary orbits.
Climate Change May Have Killed 16,469 People in Europe This Summer
Researchers warn that preventable heat-related deaths will continue to rise with continued fossil fuel emissions.
Cyclones Affect Heart Health for Months After They Subside
In a multicountry study, researchers found that cyclones increase the risk of heart disease–related hospitalizations for up to 6 months.
A Survey of the Kuiper Belt Hints at an Unseen Planet
An analysis of more than 150 objects in the far reaches of the solar system suggests that a planet more massive than Mercury could be lurking beyond the orbit of Pluto.
El Niño May Be Driving Insect Decline in the Tropics
Stronger and more frequent El Niño events are contributing to a decline in arthropod diversity and population, as well as to a reduction in the ecological services the animals provide.
Heat Spurs Unequal Consumption of Sweet Treats
A new analysis shows warmer weather may drive more added sugar consumption, particularly among already-vulnerable groups.
Dust Is the Sky’s Ice Maker
New analysis links desert dust to cloud freezing, with big implications for weather and climate models.