Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
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
Some Mosquitoes Become Immune to DEET After Just a Few Hours of Exposure
A new study indicates that roughly half become habituated to the smell of DEET over time, reducing its effectiveness as a repellent
February 20, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Can Chemistry Make Healthy Foods More Appealing?
Making healthy foods like tomatoes more palatable may increase our desire to eat these foods while decreasing our gravitation towards sugary snacks
February 20, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
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
These Temporary Tattoos Could Fly Drones
A new electronic tattoo with a microchip inside it could mean people using their minds to fly drones, talk on the phone, and do all sorts of other things using only their minds
February 20, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Will the Next Lake-Effect Snowstorm be Severe? Ask Mountains Far Far Away
Scientists use computer simulations to test how geographic features help create intense snowstorms that blanket cities near lake shores with snow
February 20, 2013 |
By Mohi Kumar
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
No Salt, No Problem: One Woman’s Life-or-Death Quest to Make “Bland” Food Delicious
The more salt we eat, the more we crave. This new approach to less-salty cooking might help you step off the treadmill
February 19, 2013 |
By Twilight Greenaway
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
Nuclear Bombs Made It Possible to Carbon Date Human Tissue
The fallout of the nuclear bomb era is still alive today - in our muscles
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Europe Is Warmer Than Canada Because of the Gulf Stream, Right? Not So Fast
A long-accepted explanation for a warm Europe is up for debate
February 18, 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
Saving Top Predators Could Have a Climate Change Benefit, Too
Through their effect on the food web, shifting predator populations can change greenhouse gas levels
February 18, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Chimpanzees Remember Things Faster Than You Do
Chimpanzees are several times stronger than us, generally healthier, and research suggests that they might have better memories too
February 18, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Parched Middle East Faces Severe Water Crisis
Drought and over-pumping has led to groundwater losses in the Middle East that equal almost the entire volume of the Dead Sea, a new study shows.
February 15, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
Newly Approved Retinal Implants Can Help Blind People See
The first retinal implants ever approved for use in the U.S. could help with a certain type of blindness
February 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Last Massive Exploding Meteor Hit Earth in 1908, Leveling 800 Square Miles of Forest
In 1908, a meteor exploding in mid-air released the energy equivalent to "185 Hiroshima bombs"
February 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Water Never Goes Bad, So Why Does It Need a Expiration Date?
Really, you shouldn't be worried about the water, but about the bottle.
February 15, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
