All Stories
- Animals
Newfound ‘bambootula’ spider lives inside bamboo stems
A YouTuber discovered a new tarantula genus living in bamboo near his home in Thailand. It’s the only tarantula known to choose such a habitat.
By Becki Robins - Tech
Space trash could kill satellites, space stations — and astronauts
As private companies prepare to sprinkle space with tens of thousands of satellites, experts worry about the mushrooming threat of space junk.
- Climate
World’s oceans have warmed to a ‘point of no return’
More than half the global ocean sees temperature extremes that 100 years ago were rare.
- Math
Let’s learn about pi
It’s not just an excuse to eat pastries. This number helps describe everything from the smallest particles to planets orbiting other stars.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Dark Energy
Dark energy is the unknown force causing the universe to expand faster and faster.
- Archaeology
Our species may have reached Europe while Neandertals were there
Archaeological finds from an ancient French rock-shelter show periodic settlements by both populations, just not at the same time.
By Bruce Bower - Animals
A new drug mix helps frogs regrow amputated legs
The treatment helped frogs grow working limbs useful for swimming, standing and kicking. It’ll be a while before people can do that.
- Environment
How we choose to pay has hidden costs for the planet
Whether cash or credit, phone apps or digital currencies — all forms of payment have behind-the-scenes costs. And these can vary dramatically.
- Environment
‘Mining’ cryptocurrencies pollutes the real world
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies exist only online. Yet the environmental impacts of their networks affect the real world.
- Environment
Bees and butterflies struggle to find flowers in polluted air
Emissions from cars and trucks make it harder for insects to find flowers. That in turn reduces flower visits and pollination, a new study finds.
By Laura Allen - Physics
Explainer: How do mass and weight differ?
Learn why these terms aren’t the same and which to use where. And should you report your results in kilograms? Pounds? If in doubt, try using newtons.
By Trisha Muro - Life
Scientists Say: Eukaryote
Eukaryotes are living things whose cells package their genetic material inside a pouch called a nucleus.