ZME Science https://www.zmescience.com/ Enriching Science Journalism Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:38:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cropped-logo-zmescience-32x32.png ZME Science https://www.zmescience.com/ 32 32 Gas Prices Approaching the $4 Tipping Point That Could Finally Make Most Trade Their Cars for EVs https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gas-prices-approaching-the-4-tipping-point-that-could-finally-make-most-trade-their-cars-for-evs/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gas-prices-approaching-the-4-tipping-point-that-could-finally-make-most-trade-their-cars-for-evs/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:38:05 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=302012 Refueling a car with gasoline at a gas station pump.As fuel costs climb, the long-term math shifts toward EVs — but consumer hesitation and infrastructure gaps could slow the transition. ]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gas-prices-approaching-the-4-tipping-point-that-could-finally-make-most-trade-their-cars-for-evs/feed/ 0 15,000-Year-Old Clay Beads Show Children Helped Craft Some of the First Ornaments https://www.zmescience.com/science/history-articles/15000-year-old-clay-beads-show-children-helped-craft-some-of-the-first-ornaments/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/history-articles/15000-year-old-clay-beads-show-children-helped-craft-some-of-the-first-ornaments/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:32:31 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301935 Microscopic seed structure with sections and a person holding a seed sample.Beads modeled on plants and marked by fingerprints suggest symbolism and social learning predate agriculture by thousands of years.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/history-articles/15000-year-old-clay-beads-show-children-helped-craft-some-of-the-first-ornaments/feed/ 0 US 2027 Budget Would Slash Even More from NASA and Climate Research https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/us-2027-budget-would-slash-even-more-from-nasa-and-climate-research/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/us-2027-budget-would-slash-even-more-from-nasa-and-climate-research/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:49:31 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=302001 View of Earth from space showing continents and cloud patterns.The Artemis missions aren't ushering in a new golden age for science.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/us-2027-budget-would-slash-even-more-from-nasa-and-climate-research/feed/ 0 Yes, Vaping Can Likely Cause Cancer. Here’s the Science Behind That https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/yes-vaping-can-likely-cause-cancer-heres-the-science-behind-that/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/yes-vaping-can-likely-cause-cancer-heres-the-science-behind-that/#respond Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:11:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301925 Vape juice bottle with cartoon cat design, emitting vapor, scientific and modern vaping technology.As early as the 1880s, there was evidence that smoking tobacco damaged your lungs. But it took almost 100 years to definitively show that smoking causes lung cancer. So, what about vapes? Until now, most research that has looked at the cancer risk for people using vapes, also known as electronic or e-cigarettes, has mainly […]]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/yes-vaping-can-likely-cause-cancer-heres-the-science-behind-that/feed/ 0 More than 10 million fish devoured in just a few hours. It’s the world’s largest predation event https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/largest-predation-event-ever-10-million-fish/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/largest-predation-event-ever-10-million-fish/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:14:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=273785 School of fish swimming underwater in a deep ocean setting.Sonic imaging revealed millions of fish killed in epic feeding frenzy.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/largest-predation-event-ever-10-million-fish/feed/ 0 Japan Just Switched on Asia’s First Osmotic Power Plant, Which Runs 24/7 on Nothing But Fresh Water and Seawater https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/japan-first-osmotic-power-plantss/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/japan-first-osmotic-power-plantss/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:13:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=289349 A renewable energy source that runs day and night, powered by salt and fresh water.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/japan-first-osmotic-power-plantss/feed/ 0 First Photos From the Artemis II Mission Show Earth in Ways Humans Haven’t Seen Since the Apollo Era https://www.zmescience.com/space/artemis-2-photos/ https://www.zmescience.com/space/artemis-2-photos/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:48:07 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301971 View of Earth from space showing continents and cloud patterns.Artemis II astronauts ditch lunch to capture breathtaking photos 100,000 miles away from home.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/space/artemis-2-photos/feed/ 0 Scientists Tracking the Microplastic Pollution Just Realized They Were Measuring Their Own Lab Gloves https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/scientists-tracking-the-microplastic-pollution-just-realized-they-were-measuring-their-own-lab-gloves/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/scientists-tracking-the-microplastic-pollution-just-realized-they-were-measuring-their-own-lab-gloves/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:46:25 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301943 Medical glove on hand reaching out against a brown background.Researchers discovered their own lab gloves are artificially inflating environmental microplastic counts.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/scientists-tracking-the-microplastic-pollution-just-realized-they-were-measuring-their-own-lab-gloves/feed/ 0 Terrifying New Maps Show the Entire West is Facing an Extreme Wildfire Threat This Summer https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/terrifying-new-maps-show-the-entire-west-is-facing-an-extreme-wildfire-threat-this-summer/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/terrifying-new-maps-show-the-entire-west-is-facing-an-extreme-wildfire-threat-this-summer/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:04:09 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301964 Firefighting helicopter drops water on wildfire amid intense flames and smoke.Amid drought and heat waves, April’s national wildfire forecast shows that nearly the entire Western U.S. will face an above-normal risk of wildfires at some point in the next four months. ]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/terrifying-new-maps-show-the-entire-west-is-facing-an-extreme-wildfire-threat-this-summer/feed/ 0 Scientists Found an Entirely New Branch of Deep-Sea Creatures Right Where the US government Wants to Mine for Battery Metals https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/new-deep-sea-creature-branch-life/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/new-deep-sea-creature-branch-life/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:41:12 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301958 Colorful microscopic aquatic creatures on black background.Researchers identified 24 new creatures and an entire superfamily of species in the Pacific, all while NOAA moves to fast-track deep-sea mining permits there.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/new-deep-sea-creature-branch-life/feed/ 0 The Vera C. Rubin Observatory Is About to Revolutionize Astronomy https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-vera-c-rubin-observatory-is-about-to-revolutionize-astronomy/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-vera-c-rubin-observatory-is-about-to-revolutionize-astronomy/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:22:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301919 Astronomical observatory with telescopes under a clear, star-filled night sky and the Milky Way gala.It's one of the most exciting things in astronomy right now.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-vera-c-rubin-observatory-is-about-to-revolutionize-astronomy/feed/ 0 🔴Artemis 2 Mission Live Updates https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-2-mission-live-updates/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-2-mission-live-updates/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301836 Four astronauts in space suits and helmets ready for space mission.Most recent updates from Artemis II lunar fly-by.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-2-mission-live-updates/feed/ 0 Drawing googly eyes on food could save it from seagulls https://www.zmescience.com/other/offbeat-other/drawing-googly-eyes-on-food-could-save-it-from-seagulls/ https://www.zmescience.com/other/offbeat-other/drawing-googly-eyes-on-food-could-save-it-from-seagulls/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:11:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301907 Food container with two compartments for takeout or meal prep.The increasingly urban lifestyles of seagulls in the UK and around Europe has made them experts at grabbing food from unsuspecting outdoor diners. Herring gulls in particular are gaining a reputation for food theft in seaside towns like Falmouth in Cornwall, where I live. On a day out at the beach last summer, I watched […]]]> https://www.zmescience.com/other/offbeat-other/drawing-googly-eyes-on-food-could-save-it-from-seagulls/feed/ 0 Polygraphs Aren’t Very Accurate. But Is Lie Detection Even Possible? https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/polygraphs-arent-very-accurate-but-is-lie-detection-even-possible/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/polygraphs-arent-very-accurate-but-is-lie-detection-even-possible/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:11:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301896 Research scientist working with computer equipment in a lab environment.“It's all pseudoscience. There is no lie detector.”]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/polygraphs-arent-very-accurate-but-is-lie-detection-even-possible/feed/ 0 This Tiny African Fish Climbs a 50-Foot Waterfall in the Congo https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-tiny-african-fish-climbs-a-50-foot-waterfall-in-the-congo/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-tiny-african-fish-climbs-a-50-foot-waterfall-in-the-congo/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:16:45 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301855 Tiny fish swimming in clear water over a rocky riverbed.A tiny, noodle-sized fish in the Congo defies gravity to scale sheer waterfall cliffs.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-tiny-african-fish-climbs-a-50-foot-waterfall-in-the-congo/feed/ 0 The Weirdest Moons In Our Solar System https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-weirdest-moons-in-our-solar-system/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-weirdest-moons-in-our-solar-system/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:01:58 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301878 From lava lakes to orbital swaps, moons are the universe’s true rebels.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-weirdest-moons-in-our-solar-system/feed/ 0 As Humpback Whales Rebound, Older Males Take Over the Mating and Singing Game https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/as-humpback-whales-rebound-older-males-take-over-the-mating-and-singing-game/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/as-humpback-whales-rebound-older-males-take-over-the-mating-and-singing-game/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:54:05 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301821 Whale shark swimming near the surface of the ocean, showcasing its massive size and distinctive mark.Older male whales are getting most of the mates and leaving younger rivals behind.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/as-humpback-whales-rebound-older-males-take-over-the-mating-and-singing-game/feed/ 0 Artemis II Is Taking a Piece of the Wright Flyer and a Canceled 1970 Apollo Flag into Deep Space https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-ii-is-taking-a-piece-of-the-wright-flyer-and-a-canceled-1970-apollo-flag-into-deep-space/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-ii-is-taking-a-piece-of-the-wright-flyer-and-a-canceled-1970-apollo-flag-into-deep-space/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:39:50 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301863 Early Wright Flyer aircraft on a beach with a man nearby, historic aviation scene.A 10-pound flight kit connects Apollo and the Wright brothers to our lunar future.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/artemis-ii-is-taking-a-piece-of-the-wright-flyer-and-a-canceled-1970-apollo-flag-into-deep-space/feed/ 0 “Learn Your Lesson”: Archaeologists Find Ancient Trash Talk on 2000-Year-Old Bullet https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/learn-your-lesson-archaeologists-find-ancient-trash-talk-on-2000-year-old-bullet/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/learn-your-lesson-archaeologists-find-ancient-trash-talk-on-2000-year-old-bullet/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:17:08 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301182 Close-up of an ancient engraved stone with inscriptions.The bullet belongs to a well-documented tradition of human psychological warfare.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/learn-your-lesson-archaeologists-find-ancient-trash-talk-on-2000-year-old-bullet/feed/ 0 Uh-oh! Could a solar storm derail the Artemis II mission? https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/uh-oh-could-a-solar-storm-derail-the-artemis-ii-mission/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/uh-oh-could-a-solar-storm-derail-the-artemis-ii-mission/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:16:29 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=301873 Solar flare erupting on the Sun's surface with intense brightness and fiery plasma.The mission is not without risk.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/uh-oh-could-a-solar-storm-derail-the-artemis-ii-mission/feed/ 0