Plants

Agriculture

New technologies might help keep drought-prone farms green

After learning how much damage drought can do to crops, two teens designed ways to detect a thirsty plant and make sure it gets enough water.

Plants

Scientists Say: Pollen

Pollen is a mass of tiny reproductive cells. These grains combine with egg cells to form seeds — but on the way, they can make some people miserable.

Animals

Scientists Say: Genus

A genus is a group of closely related species. It’s the first part of the two-part system called binomial nomenclature, used to name living things.

Fossils

Dinosaur-killing asteroid radically changed Earth’s tropical forests

The asteroid collision initially reduced the diversity in what had been sunny tropical rainforests. In time, the forests would become permanently darker.

Brain

Scientists may have finally found how catnip repels insects

The plant deters mosquitoes and fruit flies by triggering a chemical receptor that, in some animals, senses pain and itch.

Animals

Urban gardens create a buffet for bees

City gardens provide a huge amount of nectar and pollen for pollinators, making them an essential conservation tool.

Animals

Scientists Say: Organelle

An organelle is a part of a cell with a particular function. Like organs. But for cells.

Agriculture

Dew collector brings water to thirsty plants

This invention grabs water from the air at night. All it needs is the sun’s warmth the next day to release that moisture to growing plants.

Agriculture

How to grow your own science experiment

Does fertilizer help plants grow better? You might expect it to, but how can you know? This experiment will help you test it yourself.

Animals

Please do not touch the Australian stinging tree

Stinging-tree leaves look soft and inviting, but one touch delivers agony. Structurally, the plant's painful chemical looks a lot like spider venom.

Chemistry

Explainer: How photosynthesis works

Plants can take in light, water and carbon dioxide, and send out sugar and oxygen. Here’s how it works.

Physics

Here’s how giant pumpkins get so big

Cinderella took a ride in a pumpkin coach. Though real pumpkins do get big enough, here’s why their ride would be uncomfortable at best.