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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

Kickstarter for Surgery Lets You Help Those in Need

A crowdfunding venture gives you a way to donate directly to people’s surgeries

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This Is the Coolest Way to Watch the Northern Lights (Without Going to the Arctic)

Pan and scroll your way around the northern lights

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People Search for Information About Mental Health Less Often in the Summer

As flowers start to reemerge, people seem a whole lot happier. And they might actually be happier, if Google searches are any indication

Are Animal Rules for TVs And Movies Strict Enough?

The rules are extensive, but after three horses died in the filming of the HBO show “Luck,” some are wondering if they’re strict enough

China’s Deadly New Bird Flu Is Spreading

With 64 reported cases over the past two weeks, H7N9 is spreading

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This Computer Could Soon Beat You At Super Mario Bros.

Tom Murphy, a PhD student in computer science, just built a computer program that can play Super Mario Bros

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Our Closest Ape-Like Ancestor Is Reshuffling Thinking About Human Evolution

Australopithecus sediba included a strange mix of both modern Homo and ape-like australopith features

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The Most Comprehensive Map of the Internet Yet May Give Clues for Sealing Up Vulnerabilities

Researchers are using ISP databases to connect the dots between networks in order to create a comprehensive map of the internet’s global scope

Drought in western Kentucky

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

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Why Do Adults Still Get Pimples?

Here’s how acne really works

Does ‘You Look Like a Sarah’ Actually Mean Anything?

Most likely, you’ve been told that your name does, or doesn’t suit you, or that you look like a “Rachel” or “Sarah” or “John,” but what does that even mean

Animals Use Medicine, Too

From chimps to caterpillars to birds and flies, all sorts of animals use medicine

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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

An Asiatic black bear, also known as a moon bear

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

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The N.H.L. Officially Welcomes Gay Players With Most Inclusive Measures of Any Professional Sport

If you had to guess which sport had the most inclusive measures for LGBT people, you might be wrong. It’s the National Hockey League

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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

Can Architects Prevent Gun Deaths?

Architects wonder if they can design gunman-proof buildings

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

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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

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