Avery Elizabeth Hurt
Freelance Writer
Avery Elizabeth Hurt is lucky that as a science journalist she gets to indulge her love of science and her insatiable curiosity. She writes articles and books about science and social issues for both adults and kids. When she’s not digging into the latest research or peppering scientists with questions about their work, she enjoys walking in the woods, riding her bicycle and perfecting her killer drop-shot in tennis.
All Stories by Avery Elizabeth Hurt
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Tech
Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper?
Some studies find students don’t learn as well by reading on screens as from paper. But that's not always true. Here’s how to make the most of reading in either format.
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Environment
Cheatgrass thrives on the well-lit urban night scene
Middle-grade campers team up with ecologists at Denver University to show that streetlights boost the growth of a reviled invasive species.
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Earth
Earth as you’ve never seen it before
Earth is a sphere. Flat maps distort features on that sphere, usually by a lot. Now three scientists think they may have the best solution yet for flattening the planet.
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Math
Beyond crystal balls: How to make good forecasts
Science shows mounds of data and some math are key to predicting future events.
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Math
Better data lead to better forecasts
Scientists turn to mathematical models to make good predictions. But if they don’t put good data into those models, they won’t get reliable forecasts. So good data are key.
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Archaeology
Underground mega-monument found near Stonehenge
Archaeologists used high-tech tools to uncover ancient underground pits near Stonehenge. The find may offer insights into Britain’s Stone Age culture.
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Health & Medicine
Explainer: What are Antibodies?
Antibodies are one of the major players in the immune system’s attack against germs. Learn what they are, what they do and how they keep us healthy.
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Brain
Do you sleep enough to banish unpleasant moods?
A large, long-term study in kids has linked getting too little shuteye with mood and behavior problems.
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Health & Medicine
Explainer: What are allergies?
Sometimes the body’s immune system works too well, like a smoke alarm that blares every time you cook pizza. The results can range from uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening.