Sending Tiny Robots to the Nearest Star
A group of astrophysicists think they have found a way to send a probe to the newest star system, Alpha Centauri.
Uptown Fox: On Wildlife in Cities
Urban environments are harsh, with only fragmentary remains of natural habitat. But human activity has driven a rise of wildlife in cities.
Why the Pounds Won’t Stay Off
Weight loss is a biological problem, and it will require a biological solution.
The Flight of Inky the Octopus
Inky the Octopus made one of the natural world's most daring escapes when he somehow breached his tank to get to the Pacific. But how did he do it?
Let’s Talk About Dying Well
Physicians and family members still have trouble talking candidly about dying and what it means to die well.
Are We Entering a New Golden Age of Guano?
A history of civilization could be written in fertilizers. And the history of guano—bird poop—tells us a lot about slavery, imperialism, and U.S. expansion.
An Asteroid Killed the Dinosaurs. Right?
What killed the dinosaurs? An asteroid wiped them out, right? New research suggests that even before that cataclysm, dinosaurs weren't doing so well.
Happy Mother’s Day: Kids’ Screen Time is a Feminist Issue
Portable electronics like smartphones and tablets are indispensable tools for mothers and caregivers. Why do we shame them for allowing kids screen time?
The Effects of El Niño You Never Hear About
El Niño is a complex series of weather patterns that arises in the Pacific, influencing weather phenomena around the world. But what's it doing to plankton?