Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
Climate Change’s Latest Victim: Canada’s Outdoor Ice Rinks
A new project asks citizens to monitor their backyard rinks, helping to track how a warming climate is affecting Canada's skating tradition
February 15, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Massive Meteor Breaks Up Over Russia, Sends Dozens to Hospital
The mid-air explosion of a 10-ton meteor injured more than 500 people
February 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
How Does McCormick Pick the Top Flavors of the Year?
Ten years ago, the spice company identified chipotle as a taste on the rise. They're back at it again with new predictions for 2013
February 15, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Opera Fans Have an Advantage in Chemistry Class
Twenty-five different natural and synthetic chemical potions and poisons pop up in 20 different opera's plots
February 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Valentine for Sci-Art Lovers
A clever print by designer Jacqueline Schmidt pays homage to 12 different species with one thing in common—they mate for life
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Flushing Your Anti-Anxiety Pills Down the Toilet Could Affect the Behavior of Wild Fish
A study shows that wild perch are less fearful, eat faster and are more anti-social when exposed to a common pharmaceutical pollutant
February 14, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Outrageous Taxidermy, the Subject of a New Show on AMC
Former Smithsonian taxidermist Paul Rhymer is a judge on "Immortalized," a TV competition that pits up-and-comers against superstars in the field
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Why Football Players Get Away With Everything, Even Doping
The people of the world have spoken: they don't like cheaters, and they don't like doping. Unless you're a football player - in which case no one seems to care
February 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Neuroscientists Have Created Mice That Can’t Sense Cold
The end goal is to help develop drugs that more thoroughly knock out the feeling of pain.
February 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Not Only Can Plants Talk to Each Other, They Listen More Closely to Their Relatives
Plants speak with chemical cues, and they listen more carefully to their close relatives
February 13, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Real-Life Turkish Vampire Now Cured
A man just recovered from a condition his doctor called "clinical vampirism"—which was characterized by insatiable cravings for human blood
February 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is It Love? Why Some Ocean Animals (Sort Of) Mate For Life
A look at the mating systems of some monogamous ocean animals show that finding life partners helps species protect themselves and their young
February 13, 2013 |
By Emily Frost
In the Middle East, Supplies of Fresh Water Are Dwindling
A 2007 drought, and an over-reliance on groundwater, means the the Middle East's aquifers are fading
February 13, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
New SARS-Like Virus Is Spreading—Slowly
A novel coronavirus identified earlier this year is slowly--very slowly--spreading
February 13, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Sea Slug Discards Its Penis After Sex and Grows Another
Chromodoris reticulata, native to the Pacific, engages in mating behavior previously unknown in the rest of the animal kingdom
February 13, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Trash Threatens Fragile Antarctic Environment
Decaying field huts, open pits of trash and oil-slicked beaches mar King George Island, a logistical hub for Antarctic research
February 12, 2013 |
By Mohi Kumar
Tourists’ Photos Could Help Scientists Understand Whale Sharks
Every year, tourists take approximately a bazillion pictures. Most of them never wind up anywhere but someone's hard drive, never seen again, but some of those pictures might actually be useful. Especially if they're of whale sharks
February 12, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
An Asteroid Will Skim Right By the Earth on Friday Afternoon
The 147-foot-wide rock will pass a scant 17,200 miles from Earth's surface, under the orbits of some telecom satellites
February 12, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Vote on Names for Pluto’s Teeny Moons
Styx, Orpheus, Erebus or something else? What should Pluto's moons be named?
February 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
NASA Has Been Recording Earth’s Surface for 40 Years, and Today Is Its Last Chance to Keep That Going
The mission has been tracking the Earth's changing face since 1972 and has unveiled everything from the near-disappearance of the Aral Sea to the devastation of Mount St Helens and the development of Alberta, Canada's expansive tar sands projects
February 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
