ScientistPankaj: Week in Science: The famous Lucy fossil revealed humanity's origin

Friday, October 18, 2024

October 18—This week, the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Lucy. Also, why disasters like hurricanes unleash so much misinformation, and new nasal vaccines are on their way. All that and more below!

--Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor

Top Stories

Half a century after its discovery, this iconic fossil remains central to our understanding of human origins

The famous exploding star T Coronae Borealis is due to detonate any day now, but it's running a little late

Falsehoods spread when uncertainties—and emotions—are high after hurricanes

For the first time, we are sending a spacecraft to explore an alien ocean world—a moon that might host life today

Gentle nasal spray vaccines against COVID, the flu and RSV are coming. They may work better than shots in the arm

Fossil and gene discoveries paint an ever-more-intertwined history of humans combining with vanished species like Neandertals

In The Dispossessed, a physicist is caught between societies

Bacteria can degrade particularly tough PFAS varieties

Saima S. Iqbal, intern writer

The presidential candidates differ on classroom censorship, school choice, federal funding for schools, and more

Abortions after 20 weeks are about ending suffering. To deny someone that care is barbaric

SpaceX's fifth Starship flight test concluded with mechanical arms snatching the descending rocket booster out of the air

Fortunately, recognition and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in grown-ups are getting better

ScientistPankaj