Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
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
William Shatner Hijacks Contest to Name Pluto’s Moon
For the Vulcan home world, or the Roman god of fire, Pluto's new moon may soon be named Vulcan
February 26, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
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
China Acknowledges It Has a Problem With Pollution-Laden ‘Cancer Villages’
This is most likely the first that authorities dubbed pollution-laden problem locations "cancer villages" in an official report
February 26, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Chemicals in Water May Be Messing With Otters’ Sexual Mojo
Scientists examined hundreds of otters to arrive at these grim findings
February 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Prehistoric Humans Had Better Teeth Than We Do
We have straighter teeth, whiter teeth, more beautiful, shimmery teeth than our parents. But it turns out that we actually have less healthy teeth than our ancestors
February 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
Bullying Really Does Mess You Up Later in Life
A recent study linked bullying during childhood to higher instances of psychological disorders
February 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Climate Change is Reducing Our Ability to Get Work Done
Increased temperature and humidity have already limited humankind's overall capacity for physical work—and it will only get worse in the future
February 25, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
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
Brace Yourselves, the Drought’s Not Close to Over Yet
Unless we get a lot of rain, soon, the U.S. is heading for another summer of drought
February 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Meals in a Jar: From Pancakes to Baby Back Ribs, Just Add Water
Ready-made meals, good for months on a pantry shelf, work for busy nights, camping trips and power outages
February 22, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Amazing Astrophotography Lets You See Nebulae in 3D
Gorgeous animated gifs give depth to stunning nebulae
February 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Children in the U.S. Are Eating Fewer Calories, But Fewer Is Still Too Many
Heath experts warn that the decline in calorie intake was pretty incremental, meaning we're not out of the obesity epidemic woods quite yet
February 22, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
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
Couples Who Share Grief Fare Better on the Long Term
After the death of a child, those that try to stay strong for the sake of their partner tend to suffer most and cope least well while also hurting their spouse
February 22, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Natural Gas Fracking May Be the Only Industry in China That’s Developing Slowly
It has the largest shale gas reserves in the world, but China is slow to push for fracking
February 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Melting Polar Ice Will Spike Sea Levels at the Equator
Expect higher sea levels in the equatorial Pacific and lower ones near the poles by 2100, according to new research
February 21, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
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
