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
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Climate
Scientists Say: Cyclone
These strong storms have different names in different oceans. But all are cyclones.
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Planets
Scientists Say: Exoplanet
Eight planets orbit our sun. We give a slightly different name to the millions of similar bodies orbiting other stars.
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Climate
Scientists Say: Hurricane or typhoon?
Sometimes you read about hurricanes, and sometimes about typhoons. The difference? Location, location, location.
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Planets
Scientists Say: Satellite
When we think of satellites, we often think of objects we send into space from Earth. But most satellites are actually all natural.
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Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Zoonosis
Sometimes diseases in people come from animals. These diseases have a special name.
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Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Carcinogen
We have all heard that some things — such as ultraviolent rays from the sun or dangerous chemicals — can cause cancer. These agents have a special name.
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Science & Society
Scientists Say: Forensics
When there’s blood, bones and fingerprints on a crime scene, it’s time to bring in the scientists. Their research is called forensics.
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Physics
Scientists Say: Photovoltaic
This effect allows us to convert sunlight into electricity and is a popular renewable energy source.
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Environment
Scientists Say: Eutrophication
When a body of water is filled with nutrients, algae and plants may take advantage. And their presence isn’t always a good thing.
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Animals
Scientists Say: Autopsy and Necropsy
Sometimes when animals die, they need to be investigated. These examinations have two special names. One is for people, the other for non-human animals.
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Ecosystems
Scientists Say: Taphonomy
Studying what happens to plants and animals after they die can teach us about ecosystems and evolution. This study has a special name.
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Brain
Scientists Say: MRI
MRI is a technique used to diagnose diseases and to study the body. The machine can map internal structures, all the way down to tiny blood vessels.