Neanderthals may not have been the headbangers scientists once assumed
Study of fossil bones reveals same relatively low rate of skull fracture as modern humans".
Metallurgy, Chemicals
Super-Earth spied in the second-closest star system from the sun
Barnard’s star b is just 6 light-years away".
Massive star system primed for intense explosion
Gamma ray burst from Apep will light up the skies, but probably won’t destroy Earth".
NASA to pay private space companies for moon rides
Experiments on commercial landers could confirm a wetter, more active moon".
STEM candidates elected to U.S. House prepare for their new jobs
New lawmakers say they’re ready to apply science to policymaking".
A ‘rediscovered’ drug against sleeping sickness gets the green light
European Medicines Agency’s OK for an oral treatment renews hopes of eliminating human African trypanosomiasis".
In reversal, NSF lifts proposal limits on biologists
Agency had said researchers could lead just one application annually".
China unveils design for $5 billion particle smasher
If funded, construction could start in 2022 but Japan may start building its own "Higgs factory"' earlier".
Biologists create the most lifelike artificial cells yet
Cell mimics make and pass on proteins that influence their neighbors".
Top stories: Earth’s darkest year, errors in ocean study, and a young crater under Greenland’s ice
This week’s top Science news".
Orangutans are the only great apes—besides humans—to ‘talk’ about the past
New finding may shed light on the evolution of language".
Is ride-sharing killing people? Yes, study suggests, but critics are doubtful
Researchers correlate arrival of Lyft and Uber to increase in fatal accidents".
How do cats stay so clean? Video reveals secrets of the feline tongue
Three-dimensional scans and thermal imaging give unprecedented insight into cat grooming".
Spider silk is five times stronger than steel—now, scientists know why
Thousands of tiny nanostrands make up larger silken “cables”".
Humpback whale songs undergo a ‘cultural revolution’ every few years
Males learn entirely new songs, but their repertoire may be limited".
Watch just a few self-driving cars stop traffic jams
Artificial intelligence–powered cars can put the brakes on stop-and-go traffic".
A U.S. biochemistry professor takes his political shot—and misses by a lot
Randy Wadkins looks back on running for Congress as a Democrat in Mississippi".
In letter, researchers call for ‘fair and just’ treatment of Iranian researchers accused of espionage
Some government officials have said charges are baseless".
Research groups attend HHS ‘listening session’ on fetal tissue research amid funding fears
Abortion opponents want federal government to end support".