Tech
Like an armadillo, a new soft robot rolls up to protect itself
Like the three-banded armadillo, this device can roll up to shield its innards, such as sensitive electronics and a small payload.
Life
More Stories in Life
- Fossils
Let’s learn about trace fossils
Trace fossils — such as burrows, footprints and vomit — offer snapshots of ancient life.
- Brain
The human brain may owe a lot of its size to our love of sweets
Meats were important, too. But throughout human evolution, fruits may have fueled much of the brain growth in our primate cousins and early ancestors.
- Animals
Watch an orca smash into a sunfish hard enough to make it explode
This tactic expands killer whales’ already broad range of behaviors for taking down prey.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Mammal
Humans, platypuses, whales and kangaroos show the diversity of this vertebrate group.
- Animals
Monkeys might share our instincts for math
To show how monkeys think about math and shapes, scientists had them play games — including some designed by kids.
- Animals
Spying on the secret lives of boobies
New high-tech tools let scientists “tag” along with these red-footed seabirds to solve the mystery of how boobies spend their days at sea.
- Health & Medicine
The sweet truth about carbohydrates
Many carbohydrates are important sources of energy, while others offer little benefit. Learn why not all carbs are the same and how our bodies use them.
- Math
Scientists Say: Symmetry
From snowflakes to animal body plans, repeating patterns of shapes show up throughout nature.
- Animals
Some sea stars channel light like fiber-optic cables
The tiny cone-shaped structures in arms of chocolate-chip sea stars also triple their skeleton’s strength.
