Dinosaur eggshells as tiny atomic clocks: a new way to date fossil beds
Geologists can now use the calcite in dinosaur eggshells to lock in uranium–lead isotopes, turning common nest fragments into precise age anchors for entire fossil sites.
Mapping the “Celtic curse”: a new genetic heatmap spotlights iron overload hotspots in Scotland and Ireland
A new fine-grained map of hereditary hemochromatosis risk across the UK and Ireland highlights striking clusters in the Outer Hebrides and north‑west Ireland, where roughly 1 in 54 people may carry high‑risk HFE genotypes. The findings revive debates about targeted screening, early treatment, and how to discuss ancestry-linked disease without stigma.
Commercial genetic testing is racing ahead—will it change who we are, even if it doesn’t work?
A new book argues that consumer and reproductive genetic tests could narrow human diversity and widen inequality—regardless of their scientific limits. Here’s how hype, incentives, and misunderstanding can transform society faster than DNA ever will.
The Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling Won’t Bring Car Prices Back to Earth
A headline-grabbing Supreme Court decision clipped one tool for imposing trade barriers, but it won’t unwind the tangle of tariffs, supply constraints, and market forces that keep car prices high. Here’s why showroom stickers won’t plunge—and what to watch next.
A 10% Import Surcharge by Executive Order: Tech’s Next Supply Chain Shock After a Supreme Court Showdown
After the Supreme Court curtailed his trade authority, President Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% across-the-board import duty. Here’s what that means for chips, cloud, consumer gadgets, and the legal fight now barreling toward the US Court of International Trade.
Astronomers Confirm an Almost-All–Dark-Matter Galaxy Hiding in Plain Sight
What looked like four faint star clusters turned out to be fragments of a single, ghostly galaxy—one whose mass is overwhelmingly dark matter. Here’s how scientists pieced it together and why it matters for the hunt to understand the universe’s invisible majority.
DHS’s Push for a Single Biometric Search Engine, Explained
Homeland Security is moving to unify face and fingerprint searches across its components. Here’s what it means for privacy, accuracy, and interagency power—and what to watch next.
A seaside town’s surprise: Firefighters and rescuers free a wild goat from a basement window well in Wales
In Llandudno, Wales, a feral mountain goat became stuck in a basement window well—prompting a careful rescue by firefighters and an RSPCA officer. The incident highlights how urban life increasingly overlaps with wildlife, and how simple property fixes can prevent risky entrapments.
China’s Reusability Push Gets Fresh Cash as Falcon 9 Heads Back to the Bahamas
A Chinese launch startup that recently attempted the nation’s first orbital-class booster landing says it will try again, buoyed by a major funding round. Meanwhile, SpaceX is positioning a droneship near the Bahamas for a high-energy Falcon 9 mission—an old playbook with new implications.
A Giant Virus From Japan Rekindles a Big Idea: Did Viruses Help Build Complex Life?
A newly isolated “giant” virus from Japan, dubbed ushikuvirus, invades amoebae and aggressively remakes the host cell’s nucleus. Its gene repertoire bridges features once thought to be confined to separate giant-virus families—evidence that could reshape how we think the eukaryotic nucleus arose and how complex life began.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Ties to CBP Agents Sparked a DOJ Probe
Newly surfaced records suggest Jeffrey Epstein maintained cordial ties with customs officers in the US Virgin Islands long after his 2008 conviction. Here’s how that could have happened, why it matters, and what the Justice Department would be looking for.
Inside the Paradox: How an FBI-Controlled Insider Helped a Dark-Web Market Operate as Fentanyl Spread
Court records and new reporting reveal an FBI-controlled staffer helped run the Incognito dark‑web market for years—while vendors allegedly sold fentanyl‑laced pills, including from a seller tied to a confirmed death. Here’s how that happened, why it matters, and what comes next.
The 10 Best Shows to Stream Right Now (February 2026)
From Fallout’s wasteland to Monarch’s kaiju family saga, here are 10 series worth cueing up this February—and what they say about streaming in 2026.
Meta and others clamp down on OpenClaw amid agentic AI security alarms
A fast-rising agentic AI toolkit, OpenClaw, has sparked security pushback from major companies, including Meta. The move highlights a growing industry pivot from flashy autonomy demos to disciplined controls, auditing, and containment for AI that can act on the internet.
The 2026 Budget Phone Boom: What WIRED’s Updated Picks Tell Us About Paying Less, Getting More
In 2026, midrange and entry-level phones are good enough for most people. Here’s what WIRED’s refreshed list of eight affordable standouts reveals—and how to buy smart between $100 and $600.
Did Drought Doom the ‘Hobbits’ of Flores? A New Climate Record Points to a Dry, Difficult End
Fresh cave climate data from Flores Island indicate a centuries-long megadrought around 61,000 years ago—just as Homo floresiensis vanishes from the archaeological record. The drying likely starved rivers, collapsed pygmy proboscidean populations, and squeezed the tiny humans into a survival corner.
Inside Zuckerberg’s Cautious Turn on the Stand in LA’s Social-Media-Addiction Trial
In Los Angeles, Mark Zuckerberg stuck to a rehearsed, risk-averse script while facing questions about whether Meta’s apps are designed to keep teens hooked. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 Hit a Rare Low—Why This Deal Matters Right Now
Bose’s latest flagship noise-canceling cans have dropped to a rare low. Here’s what makes the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 compelling, how they compare to rivals, and who should snap up this deal now versus wait.
When AI Agents Learn to Pull the Pin: What Scout AI’s Live Demo Signals for Autonomous Weapons
A defense startup says it has stitched together modern “AI agents” with sensors and effectors—and then proved the system can end in an explosion. Here’s what that means technically, tactically, and ethically, and what to watch as autonomy pushes deeper into the kill chain.
Burnt Hair and Soft Power: How a “Not-Political” Women’s Brand Became a Political Force
At the first IRL event for Evie Magazine, the message wasn’t red-meat politics—it was beauty, hormones, entrepreneurship, and “common sense.” That’s the point. In 2026, lifestyle media is the new frontline of ideological persuasion.
The Best Smart Rings of 2026: What WIRED’s Testing Reveals and How to Pick the Right One
Smart rings have graduated from novelty to near-mainstream, with multi-day battery life, serious sleep tracking, and ever-tighter phone integration. Here’s what WIRED’s 2026 roundup signals about the category—and how to choose the right ring for your needs.
Lovehoney Deals Guide 2026: How to Actually Save Up to 70%—and What Matters Beyond the Price
Big promos at a major sexual-wellness retailer are great for your wallet—but it pays to think about materials, privacy, warranty, and timing. Here’s how to shop smarter during Lovehoney’s latest sale.
The Best Way to Pay Your Taxes Online (2026)
A practical, up-to-date guide to paying US federal and state taxes online in 2026—without tripping penalties, overpaying fees, or falling for phishing links.
GameHub is coming to macOS: another imperfect route to Windows gaming on a Mac
GameHub says it’s bringing its Windows-game compatibility tech to macOS. That’s good news for curious Mac gamers—but be prepared for caveats, tinker-heavy setup, and uneven results.