Crocodiles in Egypt, latrines in Rome, two timely syllabi, plus interviews with an epidemiologist and a theoretical physicist, were readers' favorites this year.

The science of COVID-19 vaccines, the 1957 flu vaccine that controlled that outbreak, eradicating polio in India with oral vaccines, and more.

Well-researched stories about the upside of public shaming, the octopus's sense of taste, and more from publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.

On the persistence of a folk belief.

The two feminist authors corresponded about writing and romance, especially after Tiptree's true identity leaked.

The quest to “conquer” influenza with a shot that could be used every year started out with high hopes, and ended up a hot mess.

The tiny winter songbirds are clever kings to the Irish. They're also fodder (literally) for post-Christmas ritual.

The hobby was originally pursued by middle-class women and children. But its resemblance to capitalist values made it attractive to men.

Maya Deren was a fringe filmmaker who existed far outside the Hollywood machine, but she often borrowed its tactics to promote herself and her movies.

This tectonic year brought shocks to the world, and though we don't know how it'll all shake out, we hope we've brought you nerdy joy.