Nature
Nature, or the natural world, encompasses the behavior and physiology of animals, plants and minerals
The Top 10 Greatest Survivors of Evolution
Travel back millions of years in your time machine and you’d find some of these species thriving and looking much as they do today
November 09, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
When Attacked, Corals Send Out Chemical Signals to Recruit Bodyguard Fish
New science reveals that, when threatened by toxic seaweed, corals send out chemical signals to small goby fish that remove the coral-choking greenery
November 08, 2012 |
By Hannah Waters
Watch These Beetles Tear the Feathers off a Parrot
Sometimes you just want a skeleton
November 08, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Blind Mole Rats’ Cells Self-Destruct Before They Can Turn Cancerous
Researchers tease out the secret behind blind mole rats' resistance to cancer
November 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Hummingbirds Are Popping Up in the Strangest Places
Two master bird banders are at the forefront of finding out why the rufous hummingbird’s migration has changed
November 08, 2012 |
By Eric Wagner
In Experiments, Caffeine Accelerates the Brain’s Verbal Processing
A new study shows that the equivalent of a few cups of coffee can help us process words more quickly and accurately
November 07, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Underwater Light Show: The Wonders of Bioluminescence
Dr. Edith Widder has made a career documenting and studying the amazing phenomenon that lights up the dark sea
November 07, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Early Bow and Arrows Offer Insight Into Origins of Human Intellect
Tiny blades discovered in South Africa suggest early humans had advanced intelligence and modern culture 71,000 years ago
November 07, 2012 |
By Erin Wayman
The Hunt for Bigfoot Goes High Tech
If anyone can find Bigfoot, it's probably the drones
November 07, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Bee Hive Democracy Isn’t So Different From Human Democracy
Can we take a hint from the animal kingdom in order to smooth out our process of selecting a leader and reaching consensus?
November 06, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events November 6-8: Mark Catesby’s Wildlife, Wintering Insects and a U-2 Pilot
This week, celebrate the British illustrator's 300th anniversary, learn about how insects survive the season and hear from a U-2 pilot
November 06, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The World’s Rarest Whale Species Spotted in New Zealand
A pair of spade-toothed whales washed ashore on a beach, the first time the complete body of a member of this species has ever been seen
November 05, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Did Lucy Walk Too Slow for Her Taller Group Mates?
Huge variability in Australopithecus afarensis height may have made it difficult for group members to walk together at the same speed
November 05, 2012 |
By Erin Wayman
Beetles Invasion: One Artist’s Take on the Insect
A swarm of giant beetles, lovingly sculpted by Washington D.C.-based artist Joan Danziger, descends on the American University Museum
November 02, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
The Best Wildlife Photographs of the Year
Over 48,000 photos were entered in the Veolia Environnement contest; these 10 were among the most stunning
November 02, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
Video: This Elephant Learned to Speak Korean
Koshik, an Asian elephant at a South Korean zoo, learned to uncannily mimic five Korean words by stuffing his trunk in his mouth
November 01, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Aldous Huxley’s Predictions for 2000 A.D.
The famous author envisioned a brave new world where swelling populations would put tremendous strain on the Earth's resources
November 01, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Dolphins Go Hunting In Fishers’ Nets
Dolphins deliberately enter trawlers' nets to look for food--sometimes they get caught
November 01, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Is Dancing Uniquely Human?
Whether it's in the shower when no one is looking, at our best friend's wedding like an idiot, or - for the select few who actually have talent - on a real dance floor, humans are always dancing. But are we the only species to do that?
November 01, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
How Does the Brain Process Art?
New imaging techniques are mapping the locations of our aesthetic response
November 2012 |
By Abigail Tucker
