This is a drawing of Maria Temming a white female with blue eyes and smiling. Behind her is a space-themed background.

Maria Temming

Assistant Managing Editor, Science News Explores

Maria Temming is the Assistant Managing Editor at Science News Explores. Maria has undergraduate degrees in physics and English from Elon University and a master's degree in science writing from MIT. She has written for Scientific American, Sky & Telescope and NOVA Next. She’s also a former staff writer at Science News.

All Stories by Maria Temming

  1. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Menstruation

    Menstruation is part of a roughly monthly cycle that helps a person’s body prepare for possible pregnancy.

  2. Space

    Scientists Say: Cosmic microwave background

    The cosmic microwave background is the afterglow of the Big Bang.

  3. Plants

    Let’s learn about photosynthesis

    Thank photosynthesis for the existence of all complex life on Earth — including us.

  4. Animals

    See how hummingbirds sneak through small spaces

    Anna’s hummingbirds can use a couple of different techniques to get through gaps smaller than their wingspan.

  5. Animals

    Scientists Say: Compound Eye

    Compound eyes made up of many smaller visual structures may not produce crisp images, but they offer a great field of view.

  6. Physics

    Let’s learn about particles that help us peer inside objects

    Particles such as muons, X-rays and neutrons help scientists peer inside fossils, mummies, pyramids, volcanoes and the human body.

  7. Genetics

    Scientists Say: Genetic Engineering

    Genetic engineering involves adding, changing or removing certain pieces of DNA from a living thing to give it desired traits.

  8. Artificial Intelligence

    Here’s why AI like ChatGPT probably won’t reach humanlike understanding

    Unlike people, this type of artificial intelligence isn’t good at learning concepts that it can apply to new situations.

  9. Humans

    Let’s learn about fingerprints

    Researchers are still making new discoveries about how our fingerprints form — and how to use them to solve crimes.

  10. Animals

    Let’s learn about animals’ bizarre sleep schedules

    From reindeer that snooze while chewing to penguins that take thousands of naps each day, the animal kingdom has some truly weird sleep patterns.

  11. Space

    Scientists Say: Corona

    The sun’s corona can only be seen without special instruments during a total solar eclipse.

  12. Animals

    Let’s learn about Godzilla and King Kong

    These blockbuster monsters are too big to exist. But if they were real, what adaptations would each bring to battle?