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

Explainers

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

Health & Medicine
Explainer: The teenage body clock

By Susan GaidosAugust 6, 2013
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What should I know about HIV and AIDS?

By Bryn NelsonJuly 25, 2013
Life
Explainer: What is a stem cell?

By Alison Pearce StevensJune 27, 2013
Brain
Explainer: Our bodies’ internal clocks

By Amanda Leigh MascarelliJune 14, 2013
Climate
Explainer: Why a tornado forms

By Andrew BridgesMay 21, 2013
Animals
Explainer: People can sicken animals

By Amanda Leigh MascarelliApril 17, 2013
Science & Society
Explainer: What is a patent?

By Janet RaloffMarch 20, 2013
Climate
Explainer: El Niño and La Niña

By Stephen OrnesFebruary 13, 2013

Chemistry
Explainer: Ocean acidification

By Stephen OrnesDecember 5, 2012
Physics
Explainer: What is Acoustics?

By Emily SohnDecember 14, 2011
Physics
Explainer: What is a laser?

By Amanda Leigh MascarelliOctober 27, 2010
Climate
Explainer: Global warming and the greenhouse effect

By Agnieszka BiskupMay 7, 2010