
Maria Temming
Assistant Managing Editor, Science News Explores
Maria Temming is the Assistant Managing Editor at Science News Explores. Maria has undergraduate degrees in physics and English from Elon University and a master's degree in science writing from MIT. She has written for Scientific American, Sky & Telescope and NOVA Next. She’s also a former staff writer at Science News.

All Stories by Maria Temming
- Tech
You can ‘grab’ these virtual displays and manipulate them midair
Such interactive floating graphics and virtual objects could be used to make more immersive video games and museum exhibits.
- Health & Medicine
Let’s learn about vaccines
These medical treatments have saved millions of lives and spared many others from seriously unpleasant infections.
- Animals
Sheep, llamas and goats fall for optical illusions too
These findings could help reveal when and why falling for optical illusions evolved in animals.
- Plants
Let’s learn about plant movement
Some plants use their powers of superspeed to spread spores, while others use it to snatch up prey.
- Brain
Let’s learn about memory
Brain injuries, drug use and other factors can impair our memory. But targeted practice and healthy habits can boost our ability to remember.
- Animals
Lab-grown mosquitoes could help protect Hawaii’s native birds
To curb the spread of avian malaria, a teen researcher found a way to make those mosquitoes grow faster and stronger.
- Earth
Let’s learn about the carbon cycle
The total amount of carbon on Earth doesn’t change. But what form those carbon atoms take is constantly changing.
- Brain
Brain scans may offer clues to the mental health of trans youth
A teen researcher identified a possible link between brain development and mental health in young trans people.
- Animals
Let’s learn about bumblebees
In the spring, queen bumblebees emerge from their winter hibernation to start new colonies.
- Health & Medicine
This Indigenous herb may improve therapy for muscle disorder
Treating weakened fruit flies with an herb-drug combo was more effective than the usual drug-only treatment.
- Physics
Let’s learn about static electricity
The effects of static electricity are all around us — from lightning strikes to clothes clinging together out of the drier. But scientists still don’t fully understand this phenomenon.
- Animals
A changing Arctic current seems to be impacting bowhead whales
A teen researcher investigated bowhead whales and found their migrations may be responding to a changing sea current.