MS-LS1-5

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

  1. Animals

    A science fair project makes bug killing sweet

    Simon Kaschock-Marenda wanted to see how flies responded to different sweeteners. Along the way, he discovered an insecticide that would pose little risk to people. And the 14-year-old is now a published author on a scientific paper.

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  2. Animals

    Trees: Koala air conditioning

    When koalas sprawl over a tree branch, they may not be lazy. They just might be taking advantage of some natural cooling — enough to survive a heat wave.

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  3. Animals

    When a species can’t stand the heat

    When temperatures rise, New Zealand’s tuatara produce more males. With global warming, that could leave the ancient reptile species with too few females to avoid going extinct.

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  4. Life

    Caught in the act

    Scientists observe some evolutionary speed demons as they adapt over the course of just a few years to new environmental conditions.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Explainer: The teenage body clock

    Around puberty, a change in the body clock of adolescents and teens makes it hard for them to fall asleep as early as they used to.

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  6. Brain

    Respecting the body’s clocks

    Daily rhythms affect everything from the time we wake to how well we perform in sports.

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  7. Chemistry

    A plant enemy’s enemy

    Plants use chemicals to recruit help in fighting off pests.

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  8. Brain

    The teenage brain

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

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  9. Animals

    Glow kitties

    Cats light up when an experiment is successful.

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  10. Genetics

    What’s on your genes?

    Tiny genetic switches create big differences.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Gut Instinct

    New mouse study reveals a connection between intestinal bacteria and behavior.

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  12. Climate

    Arctic algae show climate change

    Sediment from Arctic lakes shows that much of the Northern Hemisphere has been warming for many decades.

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