Changing the Way We Die
Dying may seem like a straightforward business, but there are almost as many ways to approach the end of life as there are to approach life itself.
How Trump’s Twitter Presidency Hijacked Hopes For E-Democracy
The first live-tweeting presidency resembles the broadcast-era version of democracy more than the kind of democracy the internet was supposed to enable.
The Many Unexpected Jobs of the Clubmoss Spore
The first working internal combustion machine debuted in 1807, powered by lycopodium powder, which is made of explosive plant spores.
Where Have All the Cheetahs Gone?
Disturbing news for cheetahs: a recent census reveals that populations have plummeted.
The Cork Oak Forests Want You to Drink More Wine
Corks come from a tree that is part of a unique ecosystem dependent on cork harvest for its survival.
Giant Squid, Giant Secrets
Very little is known about the giant squid, which surely has added to the strange creature's mystique.
How the Internet Makes Women’s Work Visible
When I left my fancy corporate job so that I’d have the flexibility to support my autistic son, I was afraid I’d disappear.
When Russia Conquered the World with White Oil
Russia was the first source of white oil, a Vaseline-like mix of hydrocarbons used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and plastics.
The Secrets of Diamonds
Diamonds are sparkly. Diamonds are expensive. But diamonds are more than bling—they tell us a lot about the earth, itself.
What Makes a Brain “Speech Ready?”
Can monkeys talk? According to new research, they could, if their brains would let them.