Barracuda school

How Do Fish Schools Work?

Fish schools turn, contract, expand, even part and come back together all without missing a beat. Yet fish are individuals, not a hive mind.
Death Cap Mushroom

California’s Plague of Poisonous Mushrooms

In the last couple of months, fourteen Californians have learned the hard way when they accidentally ate highly poisonous “Death Cap” mushrooms.
Svalbard Seed Bank

How Does the “Noah’s Ark” of Seeds Work?

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is the largest of a global network of seed vaults; many countries retain vaults for their own use.
LGBTQ Pride Online

9 Reasons for the LGBTQ Community to Take Pride Online

Today, gay teens don't have to feel alone because the internet makes it possible to connect with other LGBTQ people all over the world. Right?
Narwhals

The Enduring Mysteries of the Narwhal’s Tusk

Why don't we know what narwhals' tusks are for? New footage suggests they use the tusks to stun fish before eating then, but some mysteries remain.
Everest basecamp

Mountain of Trash: Everest’s Environmental Disaster

We often picture the Himalayas as pristine. In reality, Everest's snows cover empty oxygen tanks, wrappers, cans, and an array of debris left behind by climbers.
Komodo dragon in Indonesia.

The Mysteries of Komodo Dragons

Antibiotics and other medical treatments often come from offbeat sources, but researchers in Virginia have found some promising ...
NYC Marathon runner

The Quest for A Faster Marathon

How big a difference does air resistance make when running a marathon? Nike tried to find out recently. A look at the science behind the 2-hour marathon.
Chili peppers

The Science of Hot Chili Peppers

Why do spicy foods feel hot? A look at the science behind the world's spiciest hot chili peppers, including the new "Dragon's Breath" variety.
Ovenbird

Is Human Noise Stressing Out Protected Wildlife?

A survey in the United States found that in more than half of protected areas human-caused sounds significantly increased background noise levels.