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. Health & Medicine

    A viral sniff

    A common virus may get to the brain through the nose.

  2. Space

    How the outer sun gets so hot

    Magnetic waves boost the corona to extreme temperatures.

  3. Animals

    Dolphin dimples detect electricity

    Depressions in a dolphin’s snout sense electric fields, may help find dinner.

  4. Animals

    The little lizards that could

    Lizards aren’t known for their smarts, but maybe they should be.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Fats encourage overeating

    Scientists find that fats push an “eat more” button in rats.

  6. Animals

    Lotion takes a bite out of snake venom

    Scientists discover that a cream can slow the spread of a serpent’s poison.

  7. Earth

    Tsunami’s trek traced in the sky

    Scientists photograph atmospheric ripples that followed the March tsunami across the Pacific.

  8. Space

    Not seeing sunspots

    Scientists predict a delay for the sun’s next cycle.

  9. Animals

    Changing climate alters fish behavior

    Study finds clownfish don’t swim away from scary sounds in future ocean conditions.

  10. Health & Medicine

    Gut Instinct

    New mouse study reveals a connection between intestinal bacteria and behavior.

  11. Animals

    Deep-down worm is far out

    New worm discovered almost a mile underground could hint at life on other planets.

  12. Climate

    Germy weather

    Bacteria high in the sky could be causing rain, snow and hail.