Life

  1. Animals

    Whale of a lesson

    Once given up as all but extinct, the North Atlantic right whale is making a comeback.

    By Eric Wagner
  2. Animals

    These ants boast mighty grip

    Strong sticking power and quick reaction time helps them hold onto trees.

    By Susan Milius
  3. Animals

    Cool Jobs: Museum science

    Samples collected long ago may hold answers to important questions in science and medicine today.

    By Sharon Oosthoek
  4. Animals

    Oldest bird is new mom

    At 62, albatross hatches a healthy chick.

    By Allison Bohac
  5. Brain

    Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’

    This common brain injury can cause serious — and lasting — damage.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  6. Animals

    Feeling the invisible

    Sensor wired into a rat’s brain lets it detect light it can’t see.

    By Sid Perkins
  7. Ecosystems

    Predators as climate helpers

    In lakes and streams, fish and insects can help protect aquatic plants that gobble up greenhouse gas.

    By Janet Raloff
  8. Animals

    Fancy feather gene

    A tweak in a single pigeon gene causes a distinct feather formation.

    By Stephen Ornes
  9. Computing

    Genetic memory

    DNA is a chemical blueprint that effectively instructs cells on how to work.

    By Stephen Ornes
  10. Animals

    Killer cats

    Puss may pose the single biggest threat to birds.

    By Stephen Ornes
  11. Planets

    Home on the moon

    Astronomers say rocky moons orbiting distant planets might support alien life.

    By Stephen Ornes
  12. Fossils

    Dino-sized poop

    Ewww: Scientists use poop from living animals to estimate the size of dung dropped by T. rex and other dinos.

    By Sid Perkins