Biology
Bioluminescence: Light Is Much Better, Down Where It’s Wetter
From tracking a giant squid to decoding jellyfish alarms in the Gulf, a depth-defying scientist plunges under the sea
March 2013 |
By Abigail Tucker
Jane Goodall Reveals Her Lifelong Fascination With…Plants?
After studying chimpanzees for decades, the celebrated scientist turns her penetrating gaze on another life-form
March 2013 |
By Jane Goodall
Why Are Our Brains Wrinkly?
Brain wrinkles naturally develop as the brain gets larger in order to lend more surface area and help white matter fibers avoid long stretches
February 28, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Why Do We Care Whether Animals Appreciate Our Art?
In a recent study, researchers put seven Java Sparrows in a cage with a bunch of artwork and watched them to see which ones they preferred
February 27, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
This Is Your Brain on Movies
Innerscope Research recently did a study claiming that by looking at viewers "emotional engagement threshold" during a trailer, they can predict just how well it will do at the box office. But neuroscience isn't that easy
February 27, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Why Do Big Dogs Die Younger?
According to new research, it's because they age faster
February 27, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Snakes in a Frame: Mark Laita’s Stunning Photographs of Slithering Beasts
In his new book, Serpentine, Mark Laita captures the colors, textures and sinuous forms of a variety of snake species
February 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Don’t Believe the Guy Who Claims He’s Descended From Vikings
The good news is that you can probably claim Viking or whatever other heritage of choice you prefer and have a good chance of hitting the mark—without forking over $200
February 26, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Could a Whale Accidentally Swallow You? It Is Possible
Whale sharks probably can't fit you down their esophagus, but mariners claim that sperm whales have swallowed people in the past
February 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Artificial Wetland Uses Bacteria to Clean Pharmaceuticals From Sewage
By harnessing bacteria to do the heavy lifting, a way to clean pharmaceuticals from waste water
February 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Story of How An Artist Created a Genetic Hybrid of Himself and a Petunia
Is it art? Or science? With DNA, Eduardo Kac pushes the limits of creativity and ethics
February 22, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
With Biodesign, Life is Not Only the Subject of Art, But the Medium Too
Artists are borrowing from biology to create dazzling "biodesigns" that challenge our aesthetics—and our place in nature
February 21, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Scientists Pluck Blind Shrimp and Other Strange Life Forms From World’s Deepest Hydrothermal Vent
More than three miles beneath the waves, the world's deepest hydrothermal vent is home to ghostly creatures
February 21, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Tasmanian Kelp Forests You Didn’t Know Existed Are Disappearing
Didn't know there were kelp forests off of Tasmania? Apparently there are. And apparently they might not be there for long
February 21, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
What Kind of Dog Was Pavlov’s Dog?
Turns out, Pavlov wasn't picky about which pooches he trained to salivate at the sound of the bell
February 20, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Locking Eyes With Spiders and Insects
Macrophotographer Thomas Shahan takes portraits of spiders and insects in the hopes of turning your revulsion of the creatures into reverence
February 20, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Venus Fly Traps Glow Blue to Attract Their Prey
By emitting a faint blue glow, venus flytraps better attract their next meal
February 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Researchers Treat Sinusitis the Same Way They Clean Ships
Yes, researchers think about your nose like a dirty ship hull that needs cleaning. But it does seem to work
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Geneticists Think They Can Fix Tasteless Tomatoes
By identifying the genes that control the production of volatile chemicals, we could soon turn the bland tomato's flavor back on
February 19, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
In Space, Infectious Diseases Reveal Their True Nature
It turns out that microgravity might reveal a thing or two about the nasty bacteria
February 18, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
