It’s a wonderful world — and universe — out there.

Explainers

Background pieces for a deeper dive into a broad range of pivotal topics

Genetics
Explainer: What is epigenetics?

By Janet RaloffAugust 31, 2016
Brain
Explainer: When loud becomes dangerous

By Janet RaloffMay 3, 2016
Chemistry
Explainer: Some supplements may not have what it takes

By Janet RaloffMarch 22, 2016
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is metabolic syndrome?

By Kathryn HulickMarch 4, 2016
Physics
Explainer: What are gravitational waves?

By Christopher Crockett and Andrew GrantFebruary 11, 2016
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is skin?

By Kathryn HulickJanuary 22, 2016
Climate
Explainer: How scientists know Earth is warming

By Sharon OosthoekNovember 24, 2015
Brain
Explainer: What is anxiety?

By Alison Pearce StevensOctober 22, 2015

Earth
Explainer: What is a tsunami?

By Stephen OrnesSeptember 18, 2015
Brain
Explainer: The nico-teen brain

By Teresa Shipley FeldhausenAugust 19, 2015
Brain
Explainer: Sometimes the body mixes up male and female

By Amanda Leigh MascarelliJuly 31, 2015
Animals
Explainer: Male-female flexibility in animals

By Amanda Leigh MascarelliJuly 31, 2015