Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processesPhysicists to Shoot Extremely Fast-Moving Electrons at Dinosaur Skin Fossil
The actual color of dinosaur skin is still very much up for debate
May 01, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
What is Causing Iran’s Spike in MS Cases?
Vitamin D deficiency from lack of sunlight could be an unexpected long-term consequence of the Iranian revolution
May 2013 |
By Libby Copeland
Microbes: The Trillions of Creatures Governing Your Health
Scientists are just now beginning to recognize the importance of the vast community of microbes that dwells inside us
May 2013 |
By Richard Conniff
What Happened to the Wizard of Oz Costumes and More Great Questions From our Readers
Apollo 11 souvenirs, Walt Whitman’s politics, and dinosaur DNA were among the subjects you wanted to know more about
May 2013 |
By Smithsonian magazine
Baby Sand Tiger Sharks Devour Their Siblings While Still in the Womb
This seemingly horrific reproduction strategy may be a way for females to better control which males sire her offspring
April 30, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Order Your Groceries Online
Ordering groceries online for delivery cuts carbon emissions by half when compared with traveling to the store by car
April 30, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Saturn’s Mysterious Hexagon Is a Raging Hurricane
At the heart of Saturn's hexagon, a giant hurricane
April 30, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Celebrating Nearly a Decade of Richard Branson Almost Sending Us to Space
In 2004, Richard Branson said we'd be in space by 2008. That didn't pan out
April 30, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
In 2010, Malaria Killed 660,000 People, And Now It’s Resistant to the Drugs We Use to Fight It
Scientists have discovered a drug-resistant strain of malaria, and it's spreading
April 29, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
How Can the U.S. Government Know If Syrian Combatants Were Affected by Sarin Gas?
Reports from the White House that sarin gas were used in Syria, but how could you test for it?
April 26, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Here’s How Scientists Are Keeping You From Inhaling Deadly Microbes in the Subway
An invisible odorless gas will be released into seven subways throughout New York City this July
April 26, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Center of the Earth Is as Hot as the Sun
1,800 degrees warmer than we previously thought, the Earth's core is super hot
April 26, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Strange Beauty of David Maisel’s Aerial Photographs
A new book shows how the photographer creates startling images of open-pit mines, evaporation ponds and other sites of environmental degradation
April 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
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
