Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
Cops Could Soon Use Breathalyzers to Test for Illegal Drugs
Swedish researchers are developing a system that tests for 12 different drugs on your breath, including cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines
April 26, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
This Cute Little Liver Might be the Future of Drug Testing
Researchers just printed the tiniest human livers ever
April 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Russia’s Cold War Plan to Reverse the Ocean and Melt the Arctic
A giant dam across the Pacific could re-route ocean currents and melt the Arctic, and the Soviets wanted to try
April 25, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
14 Fun Facts About Penguins
Which penguin swims the fastest? Do penguins have teeth? Why do penguins sneeze? How is penguin poop useful?
April 25, 2013 |
By Hannah Waters
Playing Video Games Can Cure Your Lazy Eye
A special version of Tetris can help adults with a lazy eye see
April 24, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The ‘FlipperBot’ Is Almost as Cute as the Baby Sea Turtles It Mimics
This bio-inspired robot could help conserve and restore beaches as well as teach us about how our ancient aquatic ancestors evolved to walk on land
April 24, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
For Some Species, You Really Are What You Eat
Flamingos, shrimp and many other animals use chemical compounds found in their diets to color their exteriors
April 24, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
This Is How the New Bird Flu Could Get to You
If H7N9 learns to transmit from person to person, here is how it could spread around the world
April 24, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Oxford Principal Nixes Student Plan to Have Live Shark at Ball
The tipoff that it would appear at all came from a poster for the ball that simply says, in large white letters, "Ginglymostoma cirratum (you should really go look that up)"
April 24, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
NYC Kids May Have to Wait Until They’re 21 to Buy Cigarettes
New York City is tightening its campaign to rid the metropolis of its most significant cause of preventable deaths
April 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Chili Peppers Do To Your Skin What Migraines Do To Your Brain
Researchers are working on new medication to prevent migraines
April 23, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Can Cloning Giant Redwoods Save the Planet?
Redwoods are mighty trees, but would planting more of them help combat climate change?
April 23, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Animal Rights Activists Make Off With One Hundred Mutant Mice
Animal rights activists ruined years of important research on diseases such as autism and schizophrenia
April 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Should the Higgs Boson Be Renamed to Credit More Scientists?
Peter Higgs didn't discover the elusive speck on his own, and now some are wondering whether it should be renamed to honor some of the other scientists too
April 23, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Before and After: America’s Environmental History
For the EPA's State of the Environment Photography Project, people are returning to sites photographed in the 1970s. They are snapping the scenes yet again—to document any changes in the landscape
April 22, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Which Primate Is the Most Likely Source of the Next Pandemic?
To help anticipate the next outbreak of an emerging infectious disease, scientists scrutinize our closest relatives in the animal kingdom
April 22, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Genetically Modified E. Coli Bacteria Can Now Synthesize Diesel Fuel
By combining genes from different bacteria species, scientists created E. coli that can consume fat and excrete diesel fuel
April 22, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Hurricanes May Cause Earthquakes
In August 2011, the Virginia earthquake shook the east coast. Days later, Hurricane Irene may have caused more earthquakes
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Weird New Chemical Can Pull Uranium Out of the Ocean
A highly-selective new compound can pull uranium right out of the ocean water
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
In This One California Town, New Houses Must Come With Solar Power
Starting in 2014, every new house needs to produce at least 1 kilowatt of energy
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz


