Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
Star Trek Got Warp Speed All Wrong
Hold everything people. The blast of a star and light that happens in Star Trek when they jump to warp speed? Wrong! It wouldn't look like that at all, according to some physicists
January 17, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Jicky, the First Modern Perfume
Jicky is the first fragrance to incorporate both synthetic ingredients and natural extracts, making it one of the most significant perfumes in the history of scent design
January 17, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Just Twenty-Nine Dominoes Could Knock Down the Empire State Building
With just 29 dominoes, you can take down the Empire State Building
January 17, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
How Do Doctors Want To Die?
We all have to die at some point. Most of us would prefer for it to be as painless as possible. But what about those who attempt to keep us alive - doctors. How do they want to die?
January 17, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Researchers Discover New Method of Barnacle Sex
Upending 150 years of theory, scientists observed that some barnacles can capture sperm from the water for reproduction
January 17, 2013 |
By Emily Frost
New Study Suggests Crabs Can Feel Pain After All
Most of us assume that crustaceans can't feel pain—but new research suggests otherwise
January 16, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Plants Flower Nearly a Month Earlier Than They Did A Century Ago
In 2012, many plants in the eastern U.S. flowered earlier than in any other year on record
January 16, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Giant Sinkhole Is Swallowing Up a Louisiana Bayou Community
Mining activities likely opened up this apparent pit to hell, forcing residents to evacuate and spewing toxins into the environment
January 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Black Carbon May Contribute Almost as Much as Carbon Dioxide to Global Warming
Black carbon's role in driving warming is much higher than previously thought
January 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Horse Meat Turned Up in Irish And British Burger Meat
Hamburger meat is never the healthiest option, but it does come with a few basic assumption—like that it's made from cows
January 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
NASA Drones to Study Stratosphere for Climate Change Clues
On Friday, the agency will send an unmanned aircraft 65,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean to gather data for use in climate change modeling
January 16, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
To Understand the Largest Structure Ever Found, We Need to Rethink the Basic Principles of the Universe
These 73 quasars—massive, extremely remote celestial objects—stretch for about 4 billion light years
January 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is It Too Late To Forgive Lance Armstrong?
Lance Armstrong finally admitted to the long standing accusations of doping, which isn't all that surprising. But while the shock isn't really there, the debate rages about whether forgiveness will be
January 16, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Covered in Ink, Cross-sections of Trees Make Gorgeous Prints
Connecticut-based artist Bryan Nash Gill uses ink to draw out the growth rings of a variety of tree species
January 15, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Round Three: Drills vs. Insanely Thick Antarctic Ice. Fight!
The hunt for microbial life in Antarctic subglacial lakes continues. Now it's the American's turn
January 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Romans Did All Sorts of Weird Things in The Public Baths—Like Getting Their Teeth Cleaned
For ancient Romans enjoying a day at the bathhouse, the list of items lost to drains includes jewelry, scalpels, teeth, needles and plates
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Doomed Satellite’s Final Act Was To Film the Moon’s Surface From Just 30,000 Feet Above
Get a jet airliner's view of the surface of the Moon
January 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Is America a Nation of Soul Food Junkies?
Filmmaker Bryan Hurt explores what makes soul food so personal, starting with his own father's health struggle, in a PBS film premiering tonight
January 14, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Brazilian Waxes Could Make Pubic Lice Go Extinct
Without pubic hair, people are that much safer from pubic lice
January 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Can You Make Tea Out of Coffee?
Coffee might not be your cup of tea, or vice versa, but those who love both might be in luck. Researchers have just brewed a new tea made from leaves of the coffee plant
January 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth

