Living robots made in a lab have found a new way to self-replicate, researchers say Xenobots, a type of programmable organism made from frog cells, can replicate by spontaneously sweeping up loose stem cells, researchers say. This could have implications for regenerative medicine. Scott Neuman
Ancient footprints mistakenly attributed to bears were made by early humans A new look at nearly 3.7-million-year-old fossil footprints uncovered in Tanzania shows that multiple species of early humans lived together at the same time. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Conservationists flew 30 white rhinos to Rwanda in a huge operation to protect them The roughly 2,000-mile journey took the rhinos to their new home in Akagera National Park, where advocates hope the animals will be able to establish a new breeding stronghold and evade poachers. Joe Hernandez
Climate change and city lights are tricking trees into growing leaves too soon A study of trees in dozens of cities found that urban heat and light pollution are pushing urban trees to sprout leaves about a week earlier than trees in more rural settings. Jason Fuller
In a first test of its planetary defense efforts, NASA's going to shove an asteroid NASA is about to launch the first mission of its new planetary defense office. A spacecraft will attempt to knock a small asteroid off course by ramming into it. Nell Greenfieldboyce
How you can see the nearly total lunar eclipse Friday morning It will be the second and final eclipse of the year. West Coast night owls and East Coast early risers could catch the peak of the cosmic event. Joe Hernandez
An Australian zoo acquires a venomous, fanged 'megaspider' and is searching for more The Australian Reptile Park wants to find the anonymous donor of the megaspider, which may lead them to an area with more unusually large arachnids that could boost the zoo's antivenom program. Joe Hernandez
Birds in the Amazon have been shrinking. Here's why scientists think it's happening Over the last four decades, birds in the Amazon have been shrinking — and scientists believe their smaller bodies may be a response to hotter, drier weather brought by climate change. Christopher Intagliata
Phillip Atiba Goff: How can communities reimagine their approach to public safety? Psychologist Phillip Atiba Goff analyzes data on how racial bias affects police behavior. He shares how communities can rethink their public safety systems, and ultimately better respond to crises. Manoush Zomorodi
Emily Oster: Why wasn't the US tracking the spread of COVID-19 in schools? In summer 2020, parents faced so many unknowns when it came to sending kids to school. Economist Emily Oster describes how she started collecting data nationwide to help parents decide for themselves. Sylvie Douglis
