Life

  1. Tech

    Bits of trees can make and store energy for us to use

    This cellulose and lignin, two major building blocks of trees, could lead to greener electronics.

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  2. Tech

    Bionic plants and electric algae may usher in a greener future

    Some can aid the climate by removing pollutants. Others would just avoid dirtying the environment in the first place.

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  3. Climate

    Some tree leaves are finding it too hot for photosynthesis

    Earth’s ongoing fever threatens to push entire forests toward this heat limit — and possible death.

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  4. Plants

    Scientists Say: Fertilize

    This word describes both a stage of sexual reproduction and the agricultural practice of adding nutrients to soil.

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  5. Plants

    Young corn leaves can ‘smell’ danger

    As they mature, these leaves lose their ability to detect threatening scents.

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  6. Animals

    Let’s learn about why turkeys are dinosaurs

    Modern birds are the only dinosaurs that survived an apocalyptic extinction event 66 million years ago.

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  7. Brain

    Scientists Say: Deep brain stimulation

    Through wires implanted in a person’s brain, this medical treatment can help treat various conditions.

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  8. Animals

    Invertebrates are pretty clever, but are they conscious?

    Scientists are designing experiments to test whether these animals have self-aware experiences as we do.

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  9. Humans

    Senses help the brain interpret our world — and our own bodies

    Most people are familiar with sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch –– but there are others. Learn about them here.

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  10. Animals

    Some cockatoos craft drumsticks, then woo mates like a rockstar

    To win over a gal, these flashy males craft and use their signature instruments in a musical display akin to a human rock concert.

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  11. Brain

    Let’s learn about mind reading

    In the future, more advanced, less bulky mind-reading equipment could raise serious privacy concerns.

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  12. Tech

    Meet robots on a mission to help birds

    A new generation of bird-like robots is helping people better understand and protect the wild animals that inspired them.

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