Biology
Cannibals of the Past Had Plenty of Reasons to Eat People
For a long time cannibalism was a survival technique, a cultural practice, and a legitimate source of protein
March 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Brand New, Never Before Seen Bacteria Found in Frozen Antarctic Lake—Maybe
Scientists are revealing, then recanting, then reaffirming their claim to have discovered a new type of bacteria
March 13, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Cloth Coated in Fish Sperm DNA Doesn’t Burn
Coated in sperm DNA and set on fire, this cotton cloth just doesn't want to burn
March 12, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Giant Snail Is Giving Australia Terrible Flashbacks to the Last Giant Snail Takeover
The giant African snail is a true nightmare. So when Australian officials found one in a shipping container yard in Brisbane, they destroyed it as quickly as possible
March 12, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
A Warming Climate Is Turning the Arctic Green
The world is getting warmer, and the Arctic is getting greener
March 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Amazon Rainforest Should Deal With Climate Change Better Than We Thought
Contrary to previous research, tropical rainforests should be able to stand up to climate change
March 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Being a Naturalist Is Way More Dangerous Than You Think
Some of these naturalists were murdered by people in the regions they were working. Others died of horrible diseases or lost their lives to their research subjects
March 11, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
This Photo Gallery Can Help ID All Those Weird Bones the Dog Brings In
Does your dog bring home random bones? Ever wondered what, exactly, is he chewing on?
March 07, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
You Should Be Really Scared of the CDC’s ‘Nightmare Bacteria’
Recent reports of this "nightmare bacteria" have grabbed headlines, and there are reports of fatality rates as high as fifty percent. Basically, it's bad, and the CDC is really worried
March 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The (Natural) World, According to Our Photo Contest Finalists
From a caterpillar to the Milky Way, the ten finalists in the contest's Natural World category capture the peculiar, the remarkable and the sublime
March 07, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Why Do Backrubs Hurt So Good?
Why are back rubs so great? Why aren't we all crazy for stomach rubs, or ankle rubs?
March 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Female Butterflies Can Sniff Out Inbred Males
Unlike in humans, butterfly females can actually distinguish between inbred and outbred males by their scent
March 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Some Insect Wings Are Natural Antibiotics
Dotted with tiny spikes, this cicada's wings are naturally antibiotic
March 06, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
2000-Pound Camels Used to Live in the Arctic
Living in the forest alongside bears and beavers, the ancient Canadian Arctic camel
March 06, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
That’s Some Pig!
An Iowa farmer's quest to breed the perfect pig
March 05, 2013 |
By Angela Serratore
The U.S. And Russia Agree on One Thing: They Want to Save Polar Bears
In a rare moment of partnership, the U.S. and Russia are trying to join together to save the polar bear
March 05, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The American Bumblebee Is Crashing, Too
Colony Collapse Disorder targets honey bees. But now American bumblebees are missing, too
March 04, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Mississippi Baby Might Have Been Cured of HIV
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say they have cured a baby of HIV using standard HIV drugs very early in life
March 04, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
A Visit to the Natonal Zoo’s “Ark of Life”
Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough journeys to Front Royal, Virginia, to find out the latest in animal research
March 2013 |
By G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
How Did Plants Develop Photosynthesis?
For a large chunk of the Earth’s existence, flora have used the Sun’s light to turn the planet green
March 2013 |
By Henry Fountain
