Natural Sciences
The natural sciences seek to understand the universe by studying its physical, chemical and biological processes
Think Apple Maps Are Bad? These Cartographics Blunders Were Way Worse
If you think Apple messed up big time, think again. The history of map making is full of far worse blunders
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Super High Res Photo of Mt. Everest Shows Glacier Melt (But No Bodies)
Photographers from the organization Glacier Works just captured an interactive digital image of Mount Everest in astounding, gigapixel detail
December 26, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Santa Could Totally Deliver All Those Presents Using Worm Holes Or Relativity Clouds
Have you ever wondered just how Santa delivers presents to every nice kid on Earth in just one night
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Was Yasser Arafat Poisoned by Polonium?
In November, the body of Yasser Arafat was exhumed from beneath several feet of concrete to determine whether or not the leader had been poisoned by polonium 210
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
A Twinkling Christmas Tree, Powered by…an Electric Eel?
A Utah aquarium uses the charges emitted by an electric eel to trigger the lights on a nearby tree
December 24, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Why Do Placebos Work?
Researchers are trying to figure out just why the placebo effect works, and when doctors should use it
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Most Arctic Animals Should Deal With Climate Change Just Fine
New research suggests that most Arctic mammals will actually be helped, not hurt, by climate change
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
With Commercial Spaceflight Just Around the Corner, Are You Healthy Enough to Fly?
The price of a ride to space is dropping, but is your body ready?
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Instead of Dieting After the Holidays, Take the Bus
Driving just 1 mile less per day is more effective at reducing weight than cutting back on 100 calories per day
December 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Slice of Life: Artistic Cross Sections of the Human Body
Artist Lisa Nilsson creates elaborate anatomical illustrations from thin strips of paper
December 20, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
How Will Life on Earth Survive the Actual Apocalypse?
What will life be like for the last holdouts during the actual end of the world?
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Food Can Give You a Hangover
The connection between specific foods and migraines is tough to prove, scientifically, but those with migraines often switch their diets to avoid foods that trigger the pain
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
