New York Times Science News

1. The Best Way to Drop an Egg

   How the shell cracks in an exercise known as the egg drop challenge turned out to be more complicated than science teachers have been telling students for many years.

2. These Beautiful Birds Form Something Like Lasting Friendships

   Superb starlings help care for the offspring of birds they are not related to. “To me, that sounds like friendship,” one scientist said.

3. Genetic Study Retraces Covid’s Origins in Bats

   As China and the United States trade charges of a lab leak, researchers contend in a new paper that the Covid pandemic got its start, like a previous one, in the wildlife trade.

4. What to Know About Kosmos-482, a Soviet Spacecraft Returning to Earth After 53 Years

   Kosmos-482, which was headed to Venus, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere by the end of this weekend. Experts don’t yet know where it may come down.

5. Ronan the Sea Lion Is Probably Better Than You at Keeping a Beat

   As she has aged, the pinniped’s rhythmic abilities have only improved.