Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
An Artist Creates Artificial Fog in San Francisco
Fujiko Nakaya works with an unusual medium. The Japanese artist is sculpting fog clouds at the Exploratorium's new site at Pier 15
April 17, 2013 |
By Aleta George
Dark Lightning Is Just One of the Crazy Types of Lightning You’ve Never Heard Of
Dark Lightning is not the only weird form of lightning you've probably never heard of
April 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Trees Make Noises, and Some of Those Sounds Are Cries for Help
Knowing what kinds of noises trees in distress produce means researchers may be able to target those most in need of emergency waterings during droughts
April 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
You’re Lying to Yourself About How Good Your Future Will Be
In a psychology experiment, people assumed that bad things would not happen to them in the future, but that those bad things could happen to their friends
April 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
No, You Can’t Officially Rename a Planet. But No One Can Stop You From Trying
This contest to name exoplanets isn't official. But does that really matter?
April 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Secret to Biofuels Might Be Hidden in Poop
A fungus that grows on manure and breaks down the leftover plant material could be a key clue for biofuel researchers
April 16, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Kickstarter for Surgery Lets You Help Those in Need
A crowdfunding venture gives you a way to donate directly to people's surgeries
April 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Merely a Taste of Beer Can Trigger a Rush of Chemical Pleasure in the Brain
New research shows just a sip can cause the potent neurotransmitter dopamine to flood the brain
April 15, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
China’s Deadly New Bird Flu Is Spreading
With 64 reported cases over the past two weeks, H7N9 is spreading
April 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Very Model of a Modern Major STEM School
As science and math-focused campuses multiply around the country, Denver’s School of Science and Technology is solving the equation for what makes a STEM school great
April 15, 2013 |
By Rachel Cernansky
Don’t Blame the Awful U.S. Drought on Climate Change
Scientists can attribute particular natural disasters to climate change--just not the 2012 Great Plains drought
April 12, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Animals Use Medicine, Too
From chimps to caterpillars to birds and flies, all sorts of animals use medicine
April 12, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Woman Was Born With Three Fingers, But Her Brain Knew All Along What Having Five Would Feel Like
This woman's brain knew what having five fingers felt like, even though she herself had never in her life had five fingers
April 12, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Brain Surgery Performed on a Bear for the First Time
Champa the bear has made a swift recovery following surgery at her bear sanctuary in Laos
April 12, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
People May Consume More Soda If Supersized Drinks Are Banned
When given a choice between buying one large drink or several smaller drinks, people went with the latter option, which adds up to more total soda consumed
April 12, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Nearly Every American Has Had to Deal With Some Weather Disaster Since 2007
Around four out of five Americans live in a counties declared federal disaster areas in the past six years
April 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Scientists Breed Exercise-Crazy Rats
Thirty-six genes may hold the secret for why some rats preferred running on wheels ten times as much as other rats
April 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Climate Change Could Make Us Choose Between Wine And Pandas
According to the new models, around 70 percent of the area currently suitable or used for grape growing could be gone by 2050
April 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Robert Edwards, 87, Helped Bring Millions of Babies Into This World
In vitro ferlization has helped millions of people have babies. The techniques co-founded just died
April 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
