NYT > Science

1. The Year in Neanderthal Discoveries
   They drew with crayons, possibly fed on maggots and maybe even kissed us: Forty millenniums later, our ancient human cousins continued to make news.
2. In the Arctic, Drones Help Identify Deadly Virus in Whales
   Scientists took samples from whale blow, identifying possible disease risks for marine mammals in northern seas.
3. Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut.
   Brenna Henn had a long-term grant to study the genetic diversity of Africans and people of African descent. Then her N.I.H. funding was cut.
4. This Diminutive Reptile Plays Rock-Paper-Scissors
   Side-blotched lizards probably don’t call the game that, but they play a version of it anyway. A new study explains the hidden biology that makes this possible.
5. New York to Phase In Protections for Horseshoe Crabs
   Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will ultimately ban the catch and biomedical use of the crabs.
6. Space Events 2026: NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission, Summer Eclipse and More
   In 2026, there will be journeys to the moon and Mars, new visions of the cosmos and a solar eclipse that might be worth traveling for.
7. Twins’ Peaks: The Gilbertson Brothers Want to Rewrite Your Country’s Map
   Two brothers, both mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorrectly.
8. Feral Dogs on the Roof of the World
   As many as 25,000 free-ranging dogs roam the cold, high-altitude desert of Ladakh, India. That’s a problem for wildlife and people alike.
9. Who’s the Parasite Now? This Newly Discovered ‘Fairy Lantern’ Flower.
   Found in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the plant steals nutrients from subterranean fungi.
10. The Bat Woman of North London: ‘It’s Like Tuning In to Another World’
    On night walks through Highgate Wood, Cindy Blaney shares the whirling wonder of the often-maligned mammals with the humans below.
11. Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
    Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found.
12. The Trump Administration Approved a Big Lithium Mine. A Top Official’s Husband Profited.
    Karen Budd-Falen, the No. 3 at the Interior Department, didn’t disclose a $3.5 million water-rights contract between her husband and the developers of a Nevada mine, records show.
13. Offshore Wind Projects Challenge Trump Administration’s Order to Stop Work
    The developers of Revolution Wind off Rhode Island and Empire Wind off New York are the latest to sue the Trump administration.
14. A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup
    Problems with a 25-year-old landmark paper on the safety of Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, have led to calls for the E.P.A. to reassess the widely used chemical.
15. With Obamacare’s Higher Premiums Come Difficult Decisions
    As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
16. Even the Sky May Not Be the Limit for A.I. Data Centers
    Some tech leaders are concerned that the artificial intelligence race will exhaust available land and energy. The solution might lie in orbit.
17. 90 Minutes to Give Baby Luna a New Heart
    After eight years of training, Dr. Maureen McKiernan made her debut as the lead surgeon on an infant heart transplant — an operation on the edge of what’s possible.
18. Research Library at NASA’s Goddard Space and Flight Center to Close Friday
    Holdings from the library at the Goddard Space Flight Center, which includes unique documents from the early 20th century to the Soviet space race, will be warehoused or thrown out.
19. So You Have Bacterial Vaginosis. What Do You Do Now?
    Now that the condition is known to spread sexually, there are steps you and your partner can take to prevent it.
20. Bacterial Vaginosis Is No Longer Thought to Affect Only Women
    Gynecologists long viewed bacterial vaginosis as solely a women’s issue — until a study that treated their male partners, too, proved otherwise.
21. Hundreds Sue Virginia Hospital and Executives Over Unneeded Surgeries
    More than 500 women claimed that they had received unnecessary operations. Hospital leaders said they were not aware of a doctor’s misconduct.