Stephen Ornes

Freelance Writer

Stephen Ornes has been writing for Science News Explores since 2008, and his 2014 story "Where Will Lightning Strike?" won an AAAS/Kavli Gold Award. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and he has three children, who are inventing their own language. His family has a cat, six chickens, and two rabbits, but he secretly thinks hagfish are the most fascinating animals. Stephen has written two books. One is a biography of mathematician Sophie Germain, who was born during the French Revolution. The other, which was published in 2019, features art inspired by math. Visit him online at stephenornes.com.

All Stories by Stephen Ornes

  1. Microbes

    Life in the bacterial underground

    Tiny life forms in rock may coax minerals to release hydrogen for food.

  2. Health & Medicine

    Evolved to run

    Heel bones hint that humans could run farther than Neandertals.

  3. Health & Medicine

    Scientists help amputees by getting on their nerves

  4. Planets

    The growing planetary family

    At least 1,200 added to list of possible planets beyond the solar system.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Making snotty scents

    Mucus may play big role in the nose's job of smelling.

  6. Chemistry

    Like poison for phosphorus

    Scientists report finding bacterium that can live off arsenic.

  7. Space

    When the universe began … again

    Physicists suggest maybe the Big Bang was the latest of many bangs.

  8. Environment

    Lakes, too, feel global warming

  9. Environment

    What’s in your receipt?

    Here's one way to avoid BPA this holiday season.

  10. Brain

    Jet lag slows hamster brains

    Study suggests chronic jet lag could affect human brains too.

  11. Tech

    Students put robots to the test

    Robotics competition inspires student inventors, future scientists.

  12. Environment

    The carbon dioxide coral generation

    More acidic oceans could mean fewer young corals.