Science Times: ’Shrooms lead the pack in psychedelic medicine
Plus: Philanthropic astronomy and the vocabulary of dogs —
Science Times
January 13, 2026
Article Image

Schmidt Sciences

Google’s Former C.E.O. Wants to Build a Cosmic Search Engine

Eric and Wendy Schmidt are backing a start-up-like approach to building a giant space telescope and powerful ground observatories.

By Kenneth Chang

An assortment of people in protective gear working in a laboratory with various equipment.

Kendrick Brinson for The New York Times

Congress Is Rejecting Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science

After the White House called for billions of dollars in funding reductions, senators and representatives said they wanted to safeguard and even boost funds for basic research.

By William J. Broad

A dog with a doughnut toy in its mouth pokes through a square shelf that is crammed with colorful dog toys.

Veronica Suen

Dogs Build Their Vocabularies Like Toddlers

Eavesdropping on their owners seems to help some toy-crazy and talented pups learn more words.

By Emily Anthes

Email us

Let us know how we’re doing at sciencenewsletter@nytimes.com.

Article Image

Rémi Demarthon

Trilobites

The Sea Lions of the Galápagos Are Not Ready to Stop Nursing

Animals that researchers call “supersucklers” come back for their mother’s milk even after they can hunt, mate and fend for themselves.

By Elie Dolgin

Article Image

Daniel Geldof, LSU Advanced Microscopy and Analytics Core

Trilobites

Why This Fish Actually Needs a Hole in the Head

A cavity in the middle of the rockhead poacher’s skull might be used like a maraca to produce sound, new research suggests.

By Alexa Robles-Gil

A life reconstruction of a dinosaur’s arm that has one large claw, two small claws and three yellow, keratin-covered spikes.

Joschua Knüppe

Trilobites

This Dinosaur Really Knew How to Get a Grip

A fossil of Manipulonyx reshetovi, found in a Mongolian desert, shows how the dinosaur used its specialized claw to snatch eggs.

By Jack Tamisiea

A telescope image of stars and galaxies, with a fuzzy magenta cloud and a dotted circle in the center.

NASA, ESA, VLA, Gagandeep Anand (STScI), Alejandro Benitez-Llambay (University of Milano-Bicocca)

This ‘Galaxy That Wasn’t’ Never Bore Any Stars

Astronomers announced the discovery of a starless cloud of hydrogen gas, a pristine relic of the cosmos that is almost as old as time itself.

By Katrina Miller

NASA Will Bring I.S.S. Astronauts Home Early After Medical Issue

After canceling a spacewalk planned for Thursday, the space agency’s administrator said it was erring on the side of caution and bringing a crew of four home in the coming days.

By Kenneth Chang and Amanda Holpuch

Moroccan Cave Fossils Yield a Possible Missing Link in Human Evolution

Jawbones and other remains, similar to specimens found in Europe, were dated to 773,000 years and help close a gap in Africa’s fossil record of human origins.

By Franz Lidz

Five arrow fragments on a black background, with both sides photographed and a tiny inset with more fragments.

Trilobites

Scientists Discover Oldest Poison, on 60,000-Year-Old Arrows

Residues on arrow tips found in South Africa hint at how far back in history humans have been using poison for survival.

By Becky Ferreira

CLIMATE CHANGE

Smoke billows from the smokestack of a coal-burning power plant at the edge of a lake.

Benjamin Rasmussen for The New York Times

Under Trump, U.S. Adds Fuel to a Heating Planet

The president’s embrace of fossil fuels and withdrawal from the global fight against climate change will make it hard to keep warming at safe levels, scientists said.

By Lisa Friedman

A man in a denim shirt standing in front of a blue-and-white boat.

Alexander Coggin for The New York Times

The Scientists Making Antacids for the Sea to Help Counter Global Warming

The world’s oceans are becoming dangerously acidic. A controversial proposal would raise the pH — by mixing chemicals into the water.

By Ferris Jabr

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.

HEALTH

A close-up view of boxes of mifepristone tablets on a shelf.

Hannah Yoon for The New York Times

F.D.A. Decisions on Abortion Pill Were Based on Science, New Analysis Finds

A study of more than 5,000 pages of agency documents on mifepristone over 12 years found that agency leaders almost always followed the evidence-based recommendations of scientists.

By Pam Belluck

A portrait of a man sitting on the edge of a desk with two red flags.

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

the global profile

China’s ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ Thinks Time Is on His Side

He Jiankui spent three years in prison after creating gene-edited babies. Now back at work, he sees a greater opening for researchers who push boundaries.

By Andrew Higgins

A family nurse practitioner in a white coat administers a vaccine to a three-year-old in an orange T-shirt, in Seminole, Texas.

Desiree Rios for The New York Times

News analysis

Vaccine Schedule May Be Just a Step Toward Bigger Changes to Come

Comments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his allies suggest the revised schedule may presage an approach to immunization that prizes individual autonomy and downplays scientific expertise.

By Apoorva Mandavilli

A line of cows in a milking parlor.

Tim Gruber for The New York Times

Bird Flu Viruses Raise Mounting Concerns Among Scientists

Researchers are not just worried about the virus popping up on American farms. Other types are causing trouble around the world.

By Apoorva Mandavilli

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands in front of a podium labeled "The White House, Washington" with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins seen standing behind him.

Eric Lee for The New York Times

Kennedy Flips Food Pyramid to Emphasize Red Meat and Whole Milk

The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines on Wednesday, pushing Americans to prioritize protein and cut back on added sugars and processed foods.

By Alice Callahan and Dani Blum