Theories and Discovery
Revolutionary ideas and breakthroughs in science that have advanced our knowledge of the universe- Explore more »
Solving an Alligator Mystery May Help Humans Regrow Lost Teeth
A gator can replace all of its teeth up to 50 times--learning what triggers these new teeth to grow may someday keep us from needing dentures
May 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Baby Weddell Seals Have the Most Adult-Like Brains in the Animal Kingdom
The newborn seal pups possess the most well-developed brains compared to other mammals, but that advantage comes with a cost
May 09, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Baby Sand Tiger Sharks Devour Their Siblings While Still in the Womb
This seemingly horrific reproduction strategy may be a way for females to better control which males sire her offspring
April 30, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Why Women Like Deep Voices and Men Prefer High Ones
We find different pitches attractive because of the body size they signal—and a touch of breathiness is crucial to take the edge off deep voices in men
April 24, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Which Primate Is the Most Likely Source of the Next Pandemic?
To help anticipate the next outbreak of an emerging infectious disease, scientists scrutinize our closest relatives in the animal kingdom
April 22, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
DNA Sequencing Reveals that Coelacanths Weren’t the Missing Link Between Sea and Land
The rare fish's genome is slowly evolving—and contrary to prior speculation, it probably isn't the common ancestor of all land animals
April 17, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
What Makes Rain Smell So Good?
A mixture of plant oils, bacterial spores and ozone is responsible for the powerful scent of fresh rain
April 02, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Why Geckos Don’t Slip Off Wet Jungle Leaves or Hotel Ceilings
A surface's ability to attract and repel water heavily influences the degree to which a gecko can cling overhead, new research shows
April 01, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Brown Polar Bears, Beluga-Narwhals and Other Hybrids Brought to You by Climate Change
Animals with shrinking habitats are interbreeding, temporarily boosting populations but ultimately hurting species' survival
March 22, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
Video: This Lizard-Inspired Robot Can Scamper Across Sand
It's a product of the emerging field of terradynamics, which studies the movement of vehicles across shifting surfaces
March 21, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Untangling the Mysterious Genetic Tentacles of the Giant Squid
Contrary to prior speculation about the elusive creatures, all giant squid belong to a single species and they all share very similar genetics
March 20, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Prehistoric Human Skull Shows Signs of Inbreeding
A 100,000-year-old skull has a hole that reflects genetic mutations from inbreeding—likely a common behavior for our ancestors
March 19, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Do Drone Pilots Deserve Their Own Medal?
It’s never been easy, but drones and cybersystems are making it more difficult than ever to decide which servicemen are deserving of what
March 15, 2013 |
By John Sotham, Air & Space magazine
Prehistoric Birds May Have Used Four Wings to Fly
A study of fossils of prehistoric birds suggests two sets of wings—one set on the creature's hind legs—helped avians stay aloft
March 14, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Science Shows Why You’re Smarter Than a Neanderthal
Neanderthal brains had more capacity devoted to vision and body control, with less left over for social interactions and complex cognition
March 12, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
This 33,000-Year-Old Skull Belonged to One of the World’s First Dogs
A new DNA analysis confirms that an ancient skull found in a Siberian cave was an early ancestor of man's best friend
March 06, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
How Emperor Penguins Survive Antarctica’s Subzero Cold
The birds' plumage is even colder than the surrounding air, paradoxically insulating them from heat loss
March 05, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Nitpicking the Lice Genome to Track Humanity’s Past Footsteps
Lice DNA collected around the planet sheds light on the parasite's long history with our ancestors, a new study shows
February 27, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Why Dogs are More Like Humans Than Wolves
The dumb dog days are over, says evolutionary anthropologist Brian Hare
February 20, 2013 |
By Amy Crawford
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
