All Stories

Chemistry

Ordinary paper turns into flexible human-powered keypad

Engineers have figured out how to turn sheets of paper into rugged, low-cost electronic devices, such as a computer keypad.

Animals

When physicians and veterinarians team up, all species benefit

When doctors for people and those for animals share their expertise, they can discover new ways to take better medical care of all species.

Animals

A whale’s nearly four-hour-long dive sets a new record

Cuvier’s beaked whales may rely on large stores of oxygen, a slow metabolism and the ability to tolerate lactic acid to go for hours without surfacing for air.

Materials Science

Analyze This: Insect shells could help builders on Mars

When mixed with rocky soil, a compound called chitin makes a strong material. It could be pulled from the shells of insects used for food.

Animals

Polluting microplastics harm both animals and ecosystems

Researchers are beginning to uncover the real-world impacts of polluting microplastic bits on animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Brain

Many student athletes face risk of concussions that heal slowly

High school girls and those with a history of concussions appear to take longest to recover.

Earth

Scientists Say: Earthquake

An earthquake is a sudden and sometimes violent shaking of the ground.

Agriculture

Learning what stresses queen bees could save their hives

Beehives often die off after the queen gets too stressed to make enough babies. New tests could identify what stressed her — and point to solutions.

Animals

Here’s what bats ‘see’ when they explore the world with sound

High-speed cameras, fancy microphones and slick software are helping scientists get the best look yet at what bats perceive through echolocation.

Materials Science

‘Frozen smoke’ could protect electronics from annoying static

A fluffy material made from cellulose nanofibers and silver nanowires can protect electronic devices by blocking more than 99.99 percent of disrupting interference, a new study reveals.

Chemistry

Explainer: How photosynthesis works

Plants can take in light, water and carbon dioxide, and send out sugar and oxygen. Here’s how it works.

Physics

Here’s how giant pumpkins get so big

Cinderella took a ride in a pumpkin coach. Though real pumpkins do get big enough, here’s why their ride would be uncomfortable at best.