Life

Animals

Explainer: What is a shark?

These fish have skeletons made of cartilage, not bone — and aren’t nearly as scary as portrayed in the media.

Materials Science

Scientists transform pee into a golden opportunity

By transforming urine into a valuable medical product, scientists hope to change how we view this human waste.

Animals

A shark encounter inspired this researcher’s career in marine biology

Heidy Martinez never wanted to study sharks as a kid. That changed after encountering a white shark in South Africa.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Transplant

Transplant means to move something from one place to another. A transplant can involve something as small as a cell or as large as a whole population.

Plants

Potatoes and tomatoes share a surprising history

Today’s potato likely came from a chance cross between an ancient tomato and a spud-less potato-plant lookalike, research shows.

Animals

Let’s learn about tardigrades

These tiny animals can survive drying out, freezing, harsh radiation and other hazards.

Health & Medicine

Seeing sick faces revs up our immune system, new data show

It activates parts of the brain that detect threats and boosts the activity of at least one type of immune cell.

Plants

Physics explains how rose petals get their iconic shape

Scientists thought they knew what was behind rose petals’ geometry. They were wrong.

Animals

Quashing the spotted lanternfly may require help from other species

This invasive pest has spread to 17 U.S. states and may threaten vineyards. But bats, fungi, dogs and even trees may help halt the lanternfly's spread.

Animals

What dogs see on TV depends on their temperament

Breed, age or sex didn’t seem to matter in how dogs reacted to TV, but personality did. That’s according to a survey of more than 400 dog owners.

Earth

Let’s learn about rivers

Rivers vary a lot in size and terrain, but all share a few basic features.

Life

Scientists Say: Biodiversity

The coral reefs at Komodo, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.