Bethany Brookshire

Bethany Brookshire was a longtime staff writer at Science News Explores and is the author of the book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. She has a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in philosophy from The College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She was a 2019-2020 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, the winner of the Society for Neuroscience Next Generation Award and the Three Quarks Daily Science Writing Award, among others.

All Stories by Bethany Brookshire

  1. Physics

    Scientists Say: Microgravity

    Gravity is a force that brings objects together. But when those objects get far away, the force feels small. It feels like microgravity.

  2. Health & Medicine

    Can we taste fat? The brain thinks so

    Scientists had not considered fat a 'taste.' The brain begs to differ, new data show.

  3. Ecosystems

    Let’s learn about coral reefs

    Coral reefs are home to many important species. But climate change is stressing corals to the max.

  4. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Atom

    An atom is the smallest possible piece of a chemical element.

  5. Brain

    Explainer: How our eyes make sense of light

    It takes a lot for images before the eyes to be 'seen.' It starts by special cells sensing the light, then signals relaying those data to the brain.

  6. Environment

    Let’s learn about hurricanes

    Hurricanes are huge, terrifying storms that form over warm ocean waters — and waters are getting warming.

  7. Ecosystems

    Scientists Say: Prairie

    Prairies are flat, fertile grasslands in North America. They are their own unique ecosystem.

  8. Archaeology

    Let’s learn about mummies

    A mummy is a preserved body. They’re fun and spooky, but also a great chance to learn about people of the past.

  9. Tech

    Scientists Say: GPS

    A GPS system relies on satellites orbiting the planet, constantly sending signals back to receivers on Earth.

  10. Animals

    Let’s learn about bioluminescence

    Some animals, bacteria and algae produce their own light. This bioluminescence can attract mates or protect from predators.

  11. Space

    Let’s learn about the sun

    The sun is our own personal star and the reason life exists on Earth.

  12. Life

    Scientists Say: Excretion

    Every living thing produces waste. Excretion is how organisms take out the trash.