All Stories by Maria Temming
- Space
Scientists Say: Kugelblitz
A black hole made of pure light —or kugelblitz — may be possible, at least in theory. But in practice: impossible.
- Animals
Let’s learn about orangutans
These shaggy, red-haired apes are more solitary than other primates, but moms and babies share a strong bond.
- Genetics
Scientists Say: Telomere
These protective caps at the ends of chromosomes play a key role in cell replication.
- Materials Science
Scientists Say: Goldene
Making this metallic, two-dimensional (2-D) material is difficult — but super-thin sheets of gold could have uses in electronics and chemistry.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Beakiation
Parrots use this clever sidestepping motion to maneuver along thin branches.
- Space
Scientists Say: Astronomical interferometry
This technique links up many telescopes to see the universe in finer detail than any single telescope could alone.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Endotherm and Ectotherm
Endotherms use their own energy to maintain their internal temperature. Ectotherms use external heat sources to control their body temperature.
- Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Menstruation
Menstruation is part of a roughly monthly cycle that helps a person’s body prepare for possible pregnancy.
- Space
Scientists Say: Cosmic microwave background
The cosmic microwave background is the afterglow of the Big Bang.
- Plants
Let’s learn about photosynthesis
Thank photosynthesis for the existence of all complex life on Earth — including us.
- Animals
See how hummingbirds sneak through small spaces
Anna’s hummingbirds can use a couple of different techniques to get through gaps smaller than their wingspan.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Compound Eye
Compound eyes made up of many smaller visual structures may not produce crisp images, but they offer a great field of view.
