Life

  1. Animals

    Infectious animals

    Critters spread many germs that can sicken each other — and even kill people.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  2. Animals

    Explainer: People can sicken animals

    Wildlife can sometimes become infected with germs shed by people.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  3. Microbes

    Microscopic caffeine fiends

    Researchers create a bacterium that can’t live or reproduce without a stimulant found in soft drinks, chocolate, coffee and tea.

    By Sid Perkins
  4. Environment

    Fungi as carbon keepers

    A common type of fungus stores most of a forest floor’s carbon underground.

    By Stephen Ornes
  5. Life

    Stem cells: The secret to change

    Unusual, versatile cells hold the key to regrowing lost tissues.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  6. Animals

    No high notes for these blind fish

    Cave dwellers that can't see are also partially deaf.

    By Stephen Ornes
  7. Chemistry

    A plant enemy’s enemy

    Plants use chemicals to recruit help in fighting off pests.

    By Jill Richardson
  8. Animals

    Big squid: All one family

    Genes show all giant squid belong to one, worldwide species.

    By Stephen Ornes
  9. Animals

    This shrimp packs a punch

    Researchers learn a lot from mantis shrimp, colorful marine creatures that possess deadly weapons and complex vision

    By Roberta Kwok
  10. Animals

    Another buzz for bees

    Blooms are more memorable when their nectar contains caffeine.

    By Stephen Ornes
  11. Health & Medicine

    Deadly new virus emerges

    A mysterious infection has been spreading for almost a year.

    By Janet Raloff
  12. Health & Medicine

    The AIDS virus that vanished

    Strong medicine may have rid a newborn of deadly HIV.

    By Stephen Ornes