Researchers have a new understanding of why a compound in red wine appears to retard aging in the same way as a very low-calorie diet. An increase in the levels of genes called sirtuin genes protects against aging by similar mechanisms in both very simple organisms like yeast, and in mammals.

It’s the fifth anniversary of NASA’s rover mission to Mars, but “Spirit” and “Opportunity” were only supposed to last three months. As the twin rovers emerge intact from yet another Martian winter, lead scientist Steve Squyres reflects on the incredible milestone, and the future.

When we bring a tree into the living room for the holidays we know it will lose needles. But, this season millions of trees still in the forest are losing needles, leaves – and their lives — at the hands of beetles. With the help of global warming, the tiny pests are doing the kind of damage to forests you might think only fires could do.

Is getting more exercise among your New Year’s resolutions? What about some training for your brain? Researchers have put people through a series of brain exercises—a brain boot camp—and found that, just like exercise for your body, exercise for your brain pays off.