All Stories

  1. Plants

    Physics explains how rose petals get their iconic shape

    Scientists thought they knew what was behind rose petals’ geometry. They were wrong.

    By Sarah Wells
  2. Math

    Scientists Say: Quantitative and Qualitative

    These two research approaches collect different forms of data. Both help scientists unlock secrets and build knowledge.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  3. Humans

    Forget droplets. Here’s how sweat really forms

    This is the most detailed look yet at how we perspire. Beads of sweat are out, puddling is in.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  4. Animals

    Quashing the spotted lanternfly may require help from other species

    This invasive pest has spread to 17 U.S. states and may threaten vineyards. But bats, fungi, dogs and even trees may help halt the lanternfly's spread.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  5. Animals

    What dogs see on TV depends on their temperament

    Breed, age or sex didn’t seem to matter in how dogs reacted to TV, but personality did. That’s according to a survey of more than 400 dog owners.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  6. Earth

    Let’s learn about rivers

    Rivers vary a lot in size and terrain, but all share a few basic features.

    By Maria Temming
  7. Archaeology

    This may be the oldest, most complete Neandertal fingerprint ever seen

    The print appears in a red ochre dot, which a Neandertal left on the ‘nose’ of a facelike rock roughly 43,000 years ago.

    By Javier Barbuzano
  8. Life

    Scientists Say: Biodiversity

    The coral reefs at Komodo, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  9. Physics

    Zap! Peeling off tape can spark chemical reactions in the air

    Ripping tape off a roll triggers flashes of lightning. Harnessing these micro-sparks might one day lead to greener chemistry.

    By Laura Allen
  10. Animals

    Here’s a spider whose barf is worse than its bite

    These critters, which often make their homes on houseplants, don’t bother injecting venom. The spiders just vomit it all over their tied-up prey.

    By Susan Milius
  11. Tech

    Get a sneak peek at the tech you may use in the future

    Holograms, 3-D printed clothing, personal robots — these technologies and more might one day transform your daily life.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  12. Health & Medicine

    Sleeping in — but not too much — may ease anxiety

    Getting up to two hours of weekend catch-up sleep lowers anxiety in teens, new research shows.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens