Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
Even NASA Doesn’t Know Exactly What Causes Motion Sickness (But There Is a Way to Avoid It)
Under the right conditions, motion sickness can cripple just about anyone (trust NASA, they've tried). But while don't know much about why it happens, advances in curing it are progressing steadily
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Sustainable Meat of the Future: Mealworms?
Mealworms might seem unpalatable to many, but a new study indicates that they might be the climate-friendly protein alternative of the future
December 19, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Giving Breast Cells a Little Squeeze Can Stop Cancerous Growth
Good news for breasts: simply giving would-be malignant mammary cells a little squeeze helps guide them back to a normal growth pattern
December 19, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Television Chefs’ Recipes Aren’t Any Healthier Than Packaged TV Dinners
Don't be fooled by a television chef's home style kitchen and their television figures - the food TV chefs make may be worse for you than the supermarket variety
December 19, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Ten Best Ocean Stories of 2012
From deep-sea squid habits to vanishing coral reefs, here are the ocean stories we couldn’t stop talking about this year.
December 18, 2012 |
By Hannah Waters
Prolonged Drought Could Shut Down Shipping on the Mighty Mississippi
This time last year the Mississippi around St. Louis was 20 feet deeper
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Nimbus Clouds: Mysterious, Ephemeral and Now Indoors
Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde has found a way to create clouds in gallery spaces. In the seconds before they dissipate, he captures beautiful photographs
December 18, 2012 |
By Claire Tinsley
Entire Microbe Communities Live Up in the Clouds
Thousands of feet above your head, microbes are living—and reproducing—in the tiny drops of water that make up clouds
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Is the U.N. Climate Report More Trouble Than It’s Worth?
Several mainstream scientists are expressing doubts about the necessity of the IPCC reports
December 18, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Brand New Bee Was Just Named After Sheldon From ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Andre Nemesio and his team just named a brand new orchid bee Euglossa bazinga, after the catch phrase used by Sheldon Cooper on the television show, The Big Bang
December 17, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Not Even Canadians Are Likely To Get a White Christmas This Year
The odds of a white Christmas has dropped 15% in recent decades
December 17, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Soon There Should Be Fewer Microscopic Soot Particles in the Air
The Obama administration just set new limits on soot from smoke stacks and diesel engines, a type of air pollution linked to early death and higher rates of heart attacks, strokes and lung diseases
December 17, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Even Mummy Doctors Forgot Tools in Their Patients Sometimes
Researchers examining the brains of mummies have found a small tool that was used during embalming, left behind after the procedure
December 17, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Climate Change Tipping Point: Research Shows That Emission Reductions Must Occur by 2020
A new report indicates that we have roughly 8 years to cut fossil fuel use without risking catastrophic levels of warming
December 16, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Christmas Tree Worm, Decorating Coral Reefs Year-Round
The oceans show holiday spirit with a worm on coral reefs that resembles a fluffy fir tree adorned with colored ornaments.
December 14, 2012 |
By Emily Frost
Mythical Particles, Goldilocks Planets and More: Top 5 Surprising Scientific Milestones of 2012
From the Higgs Boson to the Curiosity rover, 2012 was a major year for science
December 14, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Most Exciting (and Frustrating) Stories From This Year in Dinosaurs
From feathers to black market fossil controversies, 2012 was a big year for dinosaurs
December 14, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
To Treat Drug Dependency, Doctors Are Burning Off Chunks of Addicts’ Brains
Through surgical means, doctors burn away the parts of the brain that deal with pleasure and motivation.
December 14, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Persistence of Memory in Mice
A new study shows that female mice who smell pheromones in potential mates' urine will constantly return to the site of exposure even weeks later
December 13, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
You Can Come Out of Your House Now: Google Maps Is Back on the iPhone
The world can stop freaking out now - Google Maps is back on your iPhone
December 13, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
