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. Chemistry

    World’s largest lizard is venomous too

    Komodo dragons kill prey in a way similar to some snakes, scientists find.

  2. Health & Medicine

    Brain cells take a break

    As you fall into deep sleep, some neurons pause their electrical activity.

  3. Health & Medicine

    Taking the sting out of scorpion venom

    Drug given to stung children in Mexico lessens symptoms.

  4. Tech

    New eyes to scan the skies

    Two new telescopes will watch for asteroids, map the galaxy.

  5. Chemistry

    Seeing red means danger ahead

    A tiny molecule may make a big difference in future warning systems.

  6. Chemistry

    Night of the living ants

    Chemicals make the difference between life and death for these insects.

  7. Animals

    A bird that keeps the beat

    A dancing cockatoo shows that humans aren’t the only animals with rhythm.

  8. Health & Medicine

    Swine flu goes global

    The disease is likely to keep spreading, but a vaccine may be in sight.

  9. Life

    Life trapped under a glacier

    At Antarctica’s Blood Falls, scientists study microbes living in a dark and salty home.

  10. Space

    The hungry blob at the edge of the universe

    Scientists have observed one of the oldest objects in the sky, possibly a galaxy in a growth spurt.

  11. Fossils

    Have shell, will travel

    Fossilized tracks left by early land-dwelling animals reveal they brought shells ashore.

  12. Health & Medicine

    Fighting fat with fat

    Brown fat found in adults may help keep obesity at bay.