Life

Brain

Sleep helps teens cope with discrimination

Good sleep helps teens better deal with racial and ethnic discrimination.

Fossils

This dinosaur was no bigger than a hummingbird

The skull of one of these ancient birds — the tiniest yet known — was discovered encased in a chunk of amber originally found in Myanmar.

Animals

Let’s learn about the creepy crawlies in your home

From ants to spiders to crickets to bed bugs — a whole host of insects and other arthropods may be hanging out with you at home.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Enzyme

This word describes a molecule that speeds up chemical reactions in living things. Enzymes work by lowering the energy needed for a reaction to occur.

Environment

Greener than burial? Turning human bodies into worm food

Composting human bodies yielded good results — and good soil — in one small study. It could become an alternative to burial or cremation in one state.

Animals

Conservation is going to the dogs

Scientists are now training dogs to help track rare, elusive — and sometimes invasive — plants and animals.

Animals

Try This: Walking on water with science

Water striders walk on water. How do they do it? They spread out. This experiment will show you how it works.

Plants

Let’s learn about the future of food

Technology and a warming world will change what you eat and how it gets to your plate.

Earth

Desert trails and microbial life excite this soil scientist

To help her desert community, Lydia Jennings focuses her research on how mining affects soil microbes.

Brain

Scientists Say: Brainwaves

These patterns of electrical activity in the brain look like spikes or waves.

Animals

Let’s learn about electric eels

Learn about where an electric eel’s powerful jolt comes from and more with this collection of stories.

Brain

Zapping the brain may make it work right again

Sending electrical zaps to electrodes implanted deep in the brain can help people with Parkinson’s disease, depression and even obsessive-compulsive disorder.