Teaching Students to See What They Miss
A classroom exercise in slow looking uses art to sharpen observation skills and encourage more attentive listening.
The Art of the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum
How do horticulturists coax more than 1,000 flowers from a single plant? The answer lies in a centuries-old Japanese tradition.
Why Mud Matters
The microbes in muddy sediments help regulate Earth’s climate and keep ecosystems functioning.
Disgust, Desire, and Durian
How Southeast Asia’s famously pungent fruit became a source of cultural identity and global demand.
What Does an Earthquake Sound Like?
Seismologist Hugo Benioff spent decades turning seismic vibrations into signals he could study—and, eventually, hear.
How Kudzu Was Supposed to Save the South
Before it became a notorious invasive plant, kudzu was promoted as a solution to widespread soil erosion.
Not All Boredom Is the Same
Psychology suggests that boredom is a signal. Understanding its cause can help us decide how to respond.
Neurodiversity in the Clinic
Autism researcher Patrick Dwyer examines how the neurodiversity movement is influencing autism research and clinical decision-making.
Taking Alien Life Seriously: The Origins of Exobiology
The search for extraterrestrial life began with an unexpected question: How could humans keep from destroying the evidence?
The Peacock Flower and Reproductive Resistance Under Slavery
European naturalists documented the peacock flower's medicinal uses but left its most consequential history behind.