Nature
Nature, or the natural world, encompasses the behavior and physiology of animals, plants and minerals
Saving Top Predators Could Have a Climate Change Benefit, Too
Through their effect on the food web, shifting predator populations can change greenhouse gas levels
February 18, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Chimpanzees Remember Things Faster Than You Do
Chimpanzees are several times stronger than us, generally healthier, and research suggests that they might have better memories too
February 18, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Appreciate Weird, Adorable Pangolins Before They’re Gone
Across Asia, a plague of hunting has hit pangolins, though it's not too late to save these intriguing creatures from extinction
February 15, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Smithsonian Expert Breaks Down the Science of Meteors
Meteor scientist Cari Corrigan says that the type of destruction wrought by today's meteor explosion over Russia is exceedingly rare
February 15, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
A Valentine for Sci-Art Lovers
A clever print by designer Jacqueline Schmidt pays homage to 12 different species with one thing in common—they mate for life
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Flushing Your Anti-Anxiety Pills Down the Toilet Could Affect the Behavior of Wild Fish
A study shows that wild perch are less fearful, eat faster and are more anti-social when exposed to a common pharmaceutical pollutant
February 14, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Why Have So Many of Tibet’s Monks Set Themselves on Fire?
More than 100 Tibetan monks have set themselves aflame in the past four years
February 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Outrageous Taxidermy, the Subject of a New Show on AMC
Former Smithsonian taxidermist Paul Rhymer is a judge on "Immortalized," a TV competition that pits up-and-comers against superstars in the field
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Study Predicts Political Beliefs With 83 Percent Accuracy
Scans show that liberals and conservatives use different parts of the brain when they take risks, helping to pinpoint the political party a person prefers
February 14, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Meet Indonesia’s New Owl Species
The new species of owl makes a distinctive "pwok" call and is unique to just one island in Indonesia
February 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is It Love? Why Some Ocean Animals (Sort Of) Mate For Life
A look at the mating systems of some monogamous ocean animals show that finding life partners helps species protect themselves and their young
February 13, 2013 |
By Emily Frost
Should National Parks Offer Wifi and Cellular Coverage?
Is cellular coverage inevitable in U.S. national parks, some of the nation's last wireless hold-outs?
February 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Trash Threatens Fragile Antarctic Environment
Decaying field huts, open pits of trash and oil-slicked beaches mar King George Island, a logistical hub for Antarctic research
February 12, 2013 |
By Mohi Kumar
What Makes the Trout in Ecuador Look Like Salmon?
Aiming to catch a few trout for dinner, the author decides to try his luck at one of the region's many "sport fishing" sites
February 12, 2013 |
By Alastair Bland
Tourists’ Photos Could Help Scientists Understand Whale Sharks
Every year, tourists take approximately a bazillion pictures. Most of them never wind up anywhere but someone's hard drive, never seen again, but some of those pictures might actually be useful. Especially if they're of whale sharks
February 12, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Fifty Years After Sylvia Plath’s Death, Critics Are Just Starting to Understand Her Life
Cultural fascination with the author and poet continues to burn brightly despite - or perhaps because of - Plath's premature departure from this world
February 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Elephants Choose to Stay Inside Safe, Less Stressful National Parks
Elephants living within the park's boundaries are significantly less stressed than those living outside of its protective borders
February 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
California’s Gender-Bending Fish Was Actually Just a Contamination Accident
Scientists thought male fish, exposed to artificial hormones, were growing eggs. They weren't
February 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Captive Sea Turtles Extract Their Revenge by Making Tourists Sick
Captive sea turtles in the Caymans can ruin a tourist's visit with a nasty dose of bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites
February 08, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Can Birds Survive Climate Change?
Predicted increases in torrential rain and severe drought will force birds in Asia to relocate in search of food and viable habitat, a new study finds
February 08, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
