Biology
A Twinkling Christmas Tree, Powered by…an Electric Eel?
A Utah aquarium uses the charges emitted by an electric eel to trigger the lights on a nearby tree
December 24, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Why Do Placebos Work?
Researchers are trying to figure out just why the placebo effect works, and when doctors should use it
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Most Arctic Animals Should Deal With Climate Change Just Fine
New research suggests that most Arctic mammals will actually be helped, not hurt, by climate change
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Slice of Life: Artistic Cross Sections of the Human Body
Artist Lisa Nilsson creates elaborate anatomical illustrations from thin strips of paper
December 20, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
How Will Life on Earth Survive the Actual Apocalypse?
What will life be like for the last holdouts during the actual end of the world?
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Even NASA Doesn’t Know Exactly What Causes Motion Sickness (But There Is a Way to Avoid It)
Under the right conditions, motion sickness can cripple just about anyone (trust NASA, they've tried). But while don't know much about why it happens, advances in curing it are progressing steadily
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Entire Microbe Communities Live Up in the Clouds
Thousands of feet above your head, microbes are living—and reproducing—in the tiny drops of water that make up clouds
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
A Brand New Bee Was Just Named After Sheldon From ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Andre Nemesio and his team just named a brand new orchid bee Euglossa bazinga, after the catch phrase used by Sheldon Cooper on the television show, The Big Bang
December 17, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Hunt for African Wildlife From Your Computer
A new citizen science project lets you in to the beautiful world of Serengeti National Park
December 12, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Flower Power, Redefined
In a new book, Andrew Zuckerman embraces minimalism, capturing 150 colorful blooms on white backdrops
December 12, 2012 |
By Ryan Reed
Environmentalists Want To Keep Oil Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Wait, What?
Oil companies want to pull their rigs from the Gulf, but environmentalists are saying "no"
December 10, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Can Tattoos Be Medicinal?
In his travels around the world, anthropologist Lars Krutak has seen many tribal tattoos, including some applied to relieve specific ailments
December 10, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Catfish Are Teaching Themselves to Catch Pigeons
In southwestern France, catfish are throwing themselves on the shore to catch pigeons
December 07, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Nine Gift Ideas For the Science-Loving Art Enthusiast on Your List
Be it a book, movie, calendar or game, these picks are perfect for the hardest-to-shop-for people on your list
December 05, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Birds Harness the Deadly Power of Nicotine to Kill Parasites
And city birds are stuffing their nests with cigarette butts to poison potential parasites
December 05, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Sometimes, Being the Best Dad You Can Be Gets You a Giant Metal Hook in the Face
Fishing selectively targets the best largemouth bass dads
December 04, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Urbanization Is Supersizing Spiders
City-dwelling spiders are bigger than their country-living brethren
December 03, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Frank Gehry’s BioMuseo, New Science Museum in Panama
Over 43,000 square feet of exhibit space will tell the story of the isthmus and the diverse species who live there
December 2012 |
By Mark Strauss
Pardis Sabeti, the Rollerblading Rock Star Scientist of Harvard
The recipient of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for natural sciences blazed a new view of how to treat infectious diseases via genetics
December 2012 |
By Seth Mnookin
Lobsters Have Age-Revealing Rings, Just Like Trees
Scientists have figured out a way to determine the age of your lobster
November 30, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
