Massive space explosion bursts record A supermassive black hole has created the most powerful explosion on record, according to astronomers. (Jan. 5, 2005) 
Giant eagles evolved super-big, super-fast Scientists say a lack of predators made the extinct New Zealand eagles become so huge, they hunted animals much bigger than most humans. (Jan. 5, 2005)
Telescope could eavesdrop on alien TV: An enormous new telescope should be able to pick up TV and radar signals from far-off worlds, scientists say. (Dec. 29, 2004)
Lab tests “terrifying” for animals: The most harmless-seeming experiments spark panic in them, a new report says. (Dec. 29, 2004)
Lie detector of the future: a brain scanner?: Relax and control your sweating, and you might be able to fool a traditional lie detector. Tricking the scanner might not be so easy. (Dec. 29, 2004)
Evolution’s tricky shortcuts: Organisms may sometimes tame “invader” genes and redirect them to their own uses. (Dec. 29, 2004)
Scientists to shoot hole in a comet
Scientists say their mission to blast a stadium-sized crater in Comet Tempel 1, to better learn what’s inside it, will begin Jan. 12.
Study: mothers’ medications might turn developing daughters into lesbians
But scientists say much more research is needed to confirm it.
Are “obesity genes” spreading?
Eating too much might not be the only reason we’re getting fatter, researchers say.
Not the broccoli your mom told you to eat
Many important foods may have been losing nutritional value thanks to modern farming practices, researchers say.
It’s “official”: Mars had water
There is conclusive proof that water once existed on Mars, a team of researchers has concluded.
New way for paralyzed people to move things
To scientists’ surprise, they find there may be a way to let paralyzed people move things with their thoughts – and without sticking pesky wires into their brains.
Alien worlds in our backyard?
Our Sun may have grabbed small planets and debris from another sun long ago, researchers say.
“Mass hysteria” is alive and well, researchers say
In medieval times, when whole groups of people started acting oddly, someone would end up at the stake. Today the phenomenon meets with more compassion, but the same befuddlement.
Experts: almost anyone could torture
When the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq came to light, many asked: who could do such a thing? The answer is almost anyone, say psychologists who reviewed decades worth of studies.
Why babies are abandoned
By studying animals, scientists are trying to understand the roots of a horrifying practice.
Children create new language nearly from scratch
Children at a school for the deaf have created their own sign language, giving scientists insight into language’s origins.
Monkeys may make “comments,” researchers say
Their communication abilities turn out to be unexpectedly complex.
Possible first photo of a planet circling a distant star
It could be a holy grail astronomers have been seeking for a long time.
Having AIDS is macho, to some rural Africans
One man bragged that he would cause the next outbreak – because he had bedded all the desirable local girls.
Researchers reconstruct mummy’s head without unwrapping
They used a scanning technique that revealed details right down to the mole on his temple.
Tunnel to king’s secret chamber in the biggest pyramid may be found 
But the Egyptian authorities won’t let the finders dig further to confirm it. 
In U.S.A., “the longer you stay, the bigger you get”
Researchers have found it doesn’t take long for immigrants in the country to start putting on weight, like other Americans.
World’s first plastic magnet passes “test” 
It’s reported to be the first plastic magnet to work at room temperature.
Did fossils inspire ancient flood myths?
Many ancient and modern cultures have creation myths involving a great flood. A physicist has proposed a new explanation of why.
800 calories a day less, and women never missed them
Researchers have found that cutting back on calories is painless, at least in the environment of a controlled study.
Brain flexibility, not size, gave us our intelligence, researchers say
Good genes may have enabled humans to develop a “complex symbolic culture,” which in turn pressured us to develop better genes.
Wasps punish “cheaters,” researchers find
A wasp’s markings can signify its importance in its group. And wearing a fake badge leads to unpleasant consequences, researchers say.
Glitch found in brains of schizophrenia patients
The finding could also shed light on the processes underlying consciousness in all of us, scientists say.
More than a month after smoking pot, users may have abnormal brain patterns
The study may come as a relief to marijuana opponents, who previously had been faced with a series of studies suggesting the drug is relatively harmless.
Chimps use tool kits, researchers say
They use a set of different sticks to fish out unlucky termites from their nests.
Tiny new species of human said to be found
The discovery of 18,000-year-old skeletons on an Indonesian island shows human diversity was much greater than expected, scientists say.
Scientists zero in on possible anti-aging gene
Chemicals that stimulate the gene extend life in yeast, roundworms and fruit flies. Are humans next?
Planet-building a “messy,” violent process
Giant chunks of rock the size of mountain ranges slam together to form planets, scientists say.
How dinosaurs slept
A newly found fossil shows dinosaurs slept the same way birds do: with head tucked under a forelimb, researchers say.
Humans have far fewer genes than we once thought, researchers say
In making the announcement, scientists add that they’re beginning to systematically compare the human and animal genetic codes.
The evolution of spite
Researchers are taking a new look at how one of our most seemingly irrational tendencies evolved. Surprise: it might not be that irrational.
Is the universe revealing its shape?
New evidence suggests the shape may be a bizarre form of a dodecahedron, a 12-sided object.
"Virus" vaccines may create new and worse diseases, researchers warn
Some vaccines, intended to prevent disease, may create new and more dangerous ones. 
"Indirect aggression" in media may harm us, researchers say
We all know that watching people killing each other on TV is supposed to be bad for us. But what about people being just plain mean on TV?
Want sex? Take a number
Animals such as clownfish, in seeming violation of every normal instinct, patiently wait to become leaders of their group before breeding. Researchers are learning why this might be.
New theories on solar systems may have little room for other "Earths"
New theories may be needed to explain how the known solar systems beyond our own formed, and the theories may dampen hopes for “Earth-like” planets there, researchers say.
Black holes looking less and less 'black'
Black holes, traditionally assumed to be sullen, dark objects, may actually give off signals that betray what fell inside them.
In insect societies, order through discipline
Wasps seem to “discipline” each other for not working hard enough.
Sea monster fossil helps answer old mystery
Distant cousin of dinosaurs used its long neck to creep up, then suck in, researchers say.
Does females' promiscuity reduce our height differences?
One researcher thinks that may be the case. It seems to be the pattern among our ape relatives, at least, he says.
How 'near-death experiences' change the brain
After brushes with death, some people report newfound peace and spiritual awakenings. Researchers are learning what brain changes accompany these experiences.
“Garbage crisis” afflicted world’s first villagers, researchers say
The first people to settle into villages apparently gave little thought to what to do with their trash, so they just lived in it.