This is a drawing of Maria Temming a white female with blue eyes and smiling. Behind her is a space-themed background.

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

  1. Microbes

    Let’s learn about viruses

    Viruses cause a huge range of illnesses, but vaccines can help protect you against these infections.

  2. Fossils

    Here’s why ammolite gems have a rainbow shimmer

    The fossils’ fabulous colors arise from delicate assemblies of crystal plates.

  3. Life

    Let’s learn about life forms that have survived in space

    Moss spores, bacteria and tardigrades have all proved their hardiness outside the International Space Station.

  4. Brain

    Hypnosis isn’t magic. It’s the brain at work

    While we still don’t know much about how hypnosis works, it appears to help some people conquer pain, anxiety and other problems.

  5. Tech

    Origami folds let paper support 9,000 times its weight, teen finds

    Miles Wu, 14, tested the strength of different ‘Miura-Ori’ origami folds and showed they might be useful in the design of pop-up emergency shelters.

  6. Physics

    Here’s how to levitate something without magic

    Levitation may seem like fantasy. But all it takes is a little physics — and sound waves, magnetism or electricity.

  7. Humans

    How to invent a language — like that of Avatar’s Na’vi

    Linguists can choose to follow, mix or break the rules of real-world languages to create interesting fictional ones.

  8. Animals

    Rudolph’s red nose could glow through bioluminescence

    Simple chemistry could give the reindeer his iconic red snout. But physics would make it look different colors to anyone who spied Rudolph from the ground.

  9. Animals

    Liquid from African tulip trees may protect honeybees from pests

    Liquid from the African tulip tree may keep ant invaders out of hives without harming honeybees.

  10. Plants

    Let’s learn about autumn leaves

    Here’s why some trees put on a colorful grand finale before losing their leaves for the winter.

  11. Animals

    Ants are better team players than people [COMIC]

    For ants, teamwork makes the dream work. For humans, teamwork can be a trip-up.

  12. Psychology

    Listening to slightly different sounds in each ear may boost focus, teen finds

    While “binaural beats” may boost attention, his research shows video game music is distracting.