Science
Mock Mars trek finds down-to-Earth sleep woes
Astronauts have a down-to-Earth problem that could be even worse on a long trip to Mars: They can't get enough sleep. And over time, the lack of slumber can turn intrepid space travelers into drowsy couch potatoes, a new study shows.
NASA's Curiosity rover snaps photos of Martian 'flower'
A flower grows on Mars - or does it?
National Archives to recall Nixon's NASA years
The National Archives is displaying rarely seen documents and items showing milestones in manned spaceflight from President Richard Nixon's administration.
Atom smasher hiatus sets stage for more discovery
The world's largest and most powerful atom smasher goes into a 2-year hibernation in March, as engineers carry out a revamp to help it reach maximum energy levels that could lead to more stunning discoveries following the detection of the so-called "God particle."
New haul of Anglo-Saxon gold declared 'treasure'
It's official: Some of the 90 pieces of gold and silver found in central England last year have formally been declared to be treasure.
2012 brought warm temperatures to Washington
If you think last year's temperatures in Washington were reminiscent of a southern climate, you are correct.
Martian rock from Sahara desert unlike others
Scientists are abuzz about a coal-colored rock from Mars that landed in the Sahara desert: A yearlong analysis revealed it's quite different from other Martian meteorites.
Rare San Francisco river otter stumps researchers
A rapt crowd followed a trail of bubbles that zipped over the surface of a seaside pond in the ruins of a 19th century bath in San Francisco.
Peru moving to protect fossils from car race
Peru's government is taking steps to protect one of the world's largest fossil deposits from being damaged by this year's Dakar Rally, the Culture Ministry said Thursday.
Live stream: The Quadrantid meteor shower
The late evening hours and early morning hours of Jan. 2 and 3 are the best times to view the Quadrantid meteor shower in the northern hemisphere. A live stream of the meteor shower is available below.
Israeli prize honors foreign scientists, architect
Israel's prestigious Wolf Prize this year will honor American, German and Austrian scientists as well as an architect from Portugal.
Nobel scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini dies in Rome
Rita Levi-Montalcini, a biologist who conducted underground research in defiance of Fascist persecution and went on to win a Nobel Prize for helping unlock the mysteries of the cell, died at her home in Rome on Sunday. She was 103 and had worked well into her final years.
Nobel scientist Levi-Montalcini dies in Rome, 103
Rome's mayor says biologist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who conducted underground research in defiance of Fascist persecution, and went on to win a Nobel Prize for helping unlock the mysteries of the cell, has died at her home in the city. She was 103.
Fla. man pleads guilty in NY in dinosaur dispute
A Florida fossils dealer pleaded guilty to smuggling charges Thursday and agreed to give up a celebrated $1 million dinosaur skeleton seized by the U.S. government earlier this year for its eventual return to Mongolia.
Unilever to phase out 'microplastics' by 2015
Unilever, the maker of Vaseline, Axe deodorants and Dove soaps, among other cosmetic and hygiene products, says it will phase out the use of microplastics by 2015.
Experts call off search for life in Antarctic lake
British scientists have called off the hunt for exotic life in an ice-bound Antarctic lake after their mission was hit by a technical hitch.
Predictions for 2013: From legalized marijuana to natural gas cars
In 2013, marijuana will be legal across the United States - if futurist Thomas Frey's prediction is true.
West Coast girds for more tsunami debris in winter
Volunteers who patrol California beaches for plastic, cigarette butts and other litter will be on the lookout this winter for flotsam from last year's monstrous tsunami off Japan's coast.
Head of national nuke security agency departing
The man who has led the nation's nuclear security agency since 2007 is stepping down next month after presiding over a 20 percent increase in the agency's budget but also some management missteps that have raised questions about the agency's ability to carry out its mission.
Annual bird counts give scientists climate clues
Armed with flashlights, recordings of bird calls, a small notebook and a stash of candy bars, scientist Rich Kostecke embarked on an annual 24-hour Christmastime count of birds along the Texas Gulf Coast. Yellow rail. Barn owl. Bittern. Crested Cara-Cara. Kostecke rattled off the names and scribbled them in his notebook.
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