Stephen Ornes

Freelance Writer

Stephen Ornes has been writing for Science News Explores since 2008, and his 2014 story "Where Will Lightning Strike?" won an AAAS/Kavli Gold Award. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and he has three children, who are inventing their own language. His family has a cat, six chickens, and two rabbits, but he secretly thinks hagfish are the most fascinating animals. Stephen has written two books. One is a biography of mathematician Sophie Germain, who was born during the French Revolution. The other, which was published in 2019, features art inspired by math. Visit him online at stephenornes.com.

All Stories by Stephen Ornes

  1. Animals

    The secret songs of giant beavers

    Scientists discover a noisemaking chamber in the extinct animal’s skull.

  2. Animals

    Snake blood boosts mouse heart

    Scientists find that a mouse’s heart swells in the presence of python blood.

  3. Fossils

    Dino teeth tell a traveling tale

    Dental evidence from sauropods suggests the mighty beasts migrated for food.

  4. Physics

    Neutrinos not so fast

    Scientists say the particles may not outrace light after all.

  5. Brain

    The ups and downs of a teenage brain

    New research shows IQ, brain can change during adolescence.

  6. Tech

    Tracing a gem’s origins

    Lasers identify the country — and even a mine — that a precious stone hails from.

  7. Climate

    Did Columbus contribute to a Little Ice Age?

    Scientist shows a surprising link between the explorer and a dip in temperatures.

  8. Brain

    The brain looks at the bright side of things

    Scientists find good news changes people’s predictions more than bad news.

  9. Planets

    Ripples in one of Saturn’s rings

    Scientists study pattern created by 600-year-old comet crash.

  10. Environment

    Ozone hits a new low

    Scientists discover a major thinning in the protective atmosphere over Arctic.

  11. Science & Society

    Introducing the 2011 Nobel Prize winners

    Scientists in 2011 won for making unexpected discoveries about crystals, the human body and the universe.

  12. Chemistry

    DEET confuses mosquitoes

    Scientists suspect the repellant messes with a mosquito’s sense of smell.