Beetles to blame for Colorado's fires? Blame climate change instead

John Ulan / CP via AP fileBiologist Adrianne Rice holds a pine beetle at the Northern Forestry Center in Edmonton, Canada.By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle Tiny, winged bark beetles have been the ecological bad guys of the West for more than a decade, and rightfully so. They've killed off millions of acres' worth of trees in Colorado....

Jun 2013

Look back at the supermoon — and look forward to future sky wonders

From the Old City of Jerusalem to the dunes of Mongolia, the supermoon appeared to be the biggest, brightest and closest of the year. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports. By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC NewsThis year's supermoon sparked a wave of interest in what's happening up above — but there's no reason for that interest to wane just because the...

Jun 2013

Supermoon makes a big impression: Share your super snapshots

Mike LongPhotographer Mike Long captured this view of the nearly full moon rising over the French Alps on Saturday. "It's just across the valley from where we live," he said. Check Long's website for more of his work.By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle This year's supermoon has hit its peak, but the show isn't over yet.This is the...

Jun 2013

Zombies roam the animal kingdom — and some of them may be after us

David Hughes / Penn StateOne fungus took over the brain of this zombified ant, but the first fungus was sabotaged by a different type of parasitic fungus.By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle The zombies in "World War Z" are just actors — but in the animal world, zombies are a fact of life. Evolution can come up with some fiendish twists:...

Jun 2013

Supermoon hits prime time for fans around the world and in orbit

Slideshow: Catch the supermoonJack Guez / AFP - Getty ImagesClick through scenes highlighting the biggest, brightest full moon of 2013.Launch slideshowBy Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle Pictures from around the world are casting a spotlight on this weekend's supermoon — the biggest, brightest full moon of the year — and now is the...

Jun 2013

Zombies roam the animal kingdom — and some of them might be after us

David Hughes / Penn StateOne fungus took over the brain of this zombified ant, but the first fungus was sabotaged by a different type of parasitic fungus.By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle The zombies in "World War Z" are just actors — but in the animal world, zombies are a fact of life. Evolution can come up with some fiendish twists:...

Jun 2013

'Human pollination'? Sting operation uses social media to benefit bees

Promotional video from BeABee Inc.: "Help turn the coming global crisis into your financial opportunity."Watch on YouTubeBy Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle Have you heard about the corporation that plans to make a quick buck from the global disappearance of honeybees?"A future without honeybees means a future of human pollination,"...

Jun 2013

UFO over Stonehenge? Britain releases its last big batch of X-Files

British National ArchivesA "discoid shape" is circled in a picture taken at Stonehenge and submitted to the British Ministry of Defense in 2009. The ministry said trying to identify the speck would be an "inappropriate use of defence resources."By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle Britain's Ministry of Defense finished up its release...

Jun 2013

Bits of Arthur C. Clarke and 'Star Trek' celebs will sail in deep space

Sunjammer / CelestisAn artist's conception shows the Sunjammer solar sail deployed in orbit.By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle When the Sunjammer solar sail is launched for a deep-space test next year, small samples from sci-fi guru Arthur C. Clarke and three pioneers of the "Star Trek" TV series will be going along for the ride....

Jun 2013

Go to Mars! Neil Armstrong's moonshot crewmates sound the call

NASA's Johnson Space Center created this video tribute to moonwalker Neil Armstrong In conjunction with Thursday's memorial service and tree dedication.Watch on YouTubeBy Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News Follow @b0yle Nearly a year after his death, first moonwalker Neil Armstrong's crewmates declared on Thursday that future missions to Mars should...

Jun 2013