From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

  1. Life

    Explainer: What is a stem cell?

    Special cells have ability to turn into several different types

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  2. Brain

    Explainer: Our bodies’ internal clocks

    Biological clocks determine hunger, sleepiness and other daily rhythms.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  3. Chemistry

    A plant enemy’s enemy

    Plants use chemicals to recruit help in fighting off pests.

    By Jill Richardson
  4. Brain

    The teenage brain

    Adolescence triggers brain — and behavioral — changes that few kids or adults understand.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  5. Brain

    What a dream looks like

    Brain scans show the brain’s activity during a dream.

    By Stephen Ornes
  6. Science & Society

    Introducing the 2011 Nobel Prize winners

    Scientists in 2011 won for making unexpected discoveries about crystals, the human body and the universe.

    By Stephen Ornes
  7. Chemistry

    DEET confuses mosquitoes

    Scientists suspect the repellant messes with a mosquito’s sense of smell.

    By Stephen Ornes
  8. Animals

    Glow kitties

    Cats light up when an experiment is successful.

    By Stephen Ornes
  9. Genetics

    What’s on your genes?

    Tiny genetic switches create big differences.

    By Sharon Pochron
  10. Health & Medicine

    Worms, your unlikely allies

    Parasites show promise in treating immune disorders.

    By Nathan Seppa
  11. Health & Medicine

    A viral sniff

    A common virus may get to the brain through the nose.

    By Stephen Ornes
  12. Health & Medicine

    Blood does a body good

    Studies of the superfluid aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases.

    By Sarah Webb