Humans

Educators and Parents, Sign Up for The Cheat Sheet
Weekly updates to help you use Science News Explores in the learning environment
Thank you for signing up!
There was a problem signing you up.
- Archaeology
Vikings were in North America 1,000 years ago
Wooden objects provide the most precise dating yet for a Viking settlement on the coast of Newfoundland in Canada.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Genetics show humans likely trace back to Africa
Our history began looking ever more complex once geneticists revealed our ancestors picked up new DNA as they traveled across time and continents.
By Erin Wayman - Humans
The ultimate genealogical search hunts for our earliest ancestors
The complex search to identify humans’ most distant cousins is long, complex and far from straightforward. It’s also far from over.
By Erin Wayman - Psychology
Discriminatory policing takes a toll on teens and tweens
Black teens and tweens are several times more likely than white youths their age to be harmed by police.
- Humans
Want to improve your reading skills? You might just need more space
A simple change by publishers and Web designers could help kids — both with and without dyslexia — read faster and better.
- Tech
Someday soon, smartwatches may know you’re sick before you do
Such an early detection of flu-like infections could tell you when to avoid others to limit the spread of disease.
- Humans
Researchers role-played as Neandertals to learn how they hunted birds
By pretending to be Neandertals, researchers show that the ancient hominids likely had the skills to hunt crowlike birds called choughs.
- Brain
Concussion patients should avoid screen time for first two days
Teens may find it hard to avoid screen time, but data from a new study suggest it can speed their recovery.
- Psychology
A growing share of teens feels lonely at school
Data from kids in 37 nations links this to use of cell phones and the internet.
- Psychology
Psychology shines light on the harm racism can do
All forms of racism are harmful. Research sheds new light on the biases behind racism and the many ways it can affect our mental health.
- Health & Medicine
What to know as Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine rolls out for kids under 12
After a trial in which no unusual side effects were reported, and approval by the FDA and CDC, kids ages 5 to 11 will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Tech
Did Facebook put Instagram profits ahead of teen safety?
Former employee said Facebook (now Meta) ignored its own research on Instagram risks to teens’ mental health. We look at the issues and what you can do.