Life

  1. Animals

    Between a rock and a wet place

    If you're a fish that climbs waterfalls, is it better to have a squat body, or be tall and a fast swimmer?

    By Stephen Ornes
  2. Animals

    Longer lives for wild elephants

    A surprising new study shows that female elephants in the wild might live up to three times longer than those born in zoos.

    By Emily Sohn
  3. Animals

    Caterpillars tattletale to police

    Clothes moth larvae snack on hair from corpses, providing police with genetic clues.

    By Tia Ghose
  4. Microbes

    White fuzzy mold not as friendly as it looks

    New type of mold may be a bat killer.

    By Dina Fine Maron
  5. Animals

    Hungry bug seeks hot meal

    A seed-loving insect finds food by sensing its temperature.

    By Dina Fine Maron
  6. Animals

    Grunting for worms

    Want to catch some earthworms? Pretend you're a mole. For experienced worm hunters, the technique works like magic.

    By Emily Sohn
  7. Fossils

    South America’s sticky tar pits

    The fossil-rich tar pits of Venezuela may rival those in Southern California.

    By Sid Perkins
  8. Animals

    Traveling tuna

    Young Atlantic bluefin tuna swim the sea from coast to coast.

    By Susan Gaidos
  9. Microbes

    Fast-flying fungal spores

    Using high-speed cameras, scientists identify the fastest spores on Earth.

    By Jennifer Cutraro
  10. Animals

    Weird, new ant

    Recently discovered South American species shakes up ant family tree.

    By Emily Sohn
  11. Animals

    Honeybees do the wave

    Giant honeybees make waves when predators come close.

    By Susan Gaidos
  12. Brain

    Girls are cool for school

    Preschool boys perform better in classes where the girls outnumber them.

    By Jennifer Cutraro