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Mapping the Mississippi

Freshwater fish make vast treks, but their migrations remain hidden beneath the surfaces of rivers. This invisibility has left freshwater fish largely overlooked, even as their populations worldwide have plummeted. Now, global “swimways” for migratory fish are emerging as an important conservation focus.

Take a hike

Walking just 7,000 steps per day can lower a person’s risk of certain health issues, according to a new study. Even a small increase in steps per day lowered health risks.

Wiring the mind

Researchers are drawing inspiration from the brains of creatures from worms to humans to develop more efficient, more capable forms of AI.

The rise of male contraceptive options

Contraceptive pills for women emerged in 1960, followed by hormonal implants, patches, vaginal rings and IUDs. But no new contraceptive methods have become available for men. New research could change that in the next five to 10 years.

U.S. dementia cases on the rise

Scientists predict that, by 2060, one million U.S. adults per year will develop dementia. The new estimate surpasses previous estimates of how many people will struggle with memory, reasoning and language difficulties that interfere with life.

Aerosols in the air: Art in motion?

The atmosphere abounds with aerosols, tiny particles with large sway over global temperature. A new visualization from NASA reveals how these airborne particles swirl through Earth’s sky.

Earth’s history of temperature shifts

Earth’s climate doesn’t have to look like it does now. In fact, it usually hasn’t. Across 4.5 billion years, geologic forces have shaped the planet’s climate from its fiery infancy to the (for now) chilly present. Studying these changes may help us understand what may happen next because of climate change.

Mapping the spread of ticks

Three types of ticks may spread alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat. Researchers think the condition is caused by molecules in the saliva of certain tick species. The best way to avoid the syndrome is to prevent tick bites.

Lunar landforms

Researchers analyzed images of giant canyons on the moon to deduce the physics of how they formed. A massive impact 3.8 billion years ago shot out rock that plunged 3.5 kilometers into the lunar surface, carving two canyons in less than 10 minutes.

Using smartphone data to probe the ionosphere

A sea of charged particles swirls in the ionosphere, a layer at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere. Shifts in the ionosphere can muddle radio signals key for navigation systems. But pooling data from millions of phones equipped with GPS receivers could help fix errors caused by the meddlesome atmospheric layer.

Sink or Swim: Exploring Bone Density and Buoyancy

Based on recent research, Spinosaurus is depicted swimming in the newest Jurassic World movie. Some studies point to Spinosaurus’s relatively dense bones, which could have helped control buoyancy for swimming. But others argue that Spinosaurus fossils point to its life as a wader.

The weight of weight-loss drug usage

Shortages and big price tags have driven patients to unconventional, sometimes shady sources of weight-loss drugs. In some cases, people end up with tainted drugs or risk overdosing.