New York Times Science News

1. A Deadly Outbreak of Plague, Nearly 5,000 Years Before the Black Death

   The oldest known cases, discovered among hunter-gatherers in Siberian graves, contradict the theory that the disease once was mild.

2. D.O.J. Seeks to Halt Pollution Lawsuit Against Elon Musk’s Data Center

   The department cited national security concerns, saying Elon Musk’s company had played a crucial role in the Iran war. It also argued it has the authority to stop environmental lawsuits brought by citizens.

3. How Does One Brain Speak Two Languages?

   A new study of bilingual speakers suggests that a single “grammatical engine” in the brain can power multiple languages at once.

4. New Coral Study Identifies Areas Where Reefs Are Hanging On

   New research has identified areas around the world where cooler currents and other favorable conditions are helping to protect coral from the worst effects of global warming.

5. The Secrets of a Soccer-Turf Master

   John Sorochan, a turf scientist at the University of Tennessee, has led the yearslong, multimillion-dollar effort to develop perfect playing fields for the 2026 World Cup.