A close-up of a cell fossil

The Mystery of Megasphaera

When did animals first come into being? It might have been millions of years earlier than we thought.
Fossilized bone of Psittacosaurus liujiatunensis

Recession Lessons from an Ancient Fossil Bed

In a 120-million-year-old rock in Northeast China, paleontologists made a remarkable find.
Illustration from 1411 depicting Moses standing between two individuals laying down and covered with boils

Infection Control 600 Years Before the CDC

Modern health authorities combating the Ebola virus in West Africa might look to medieval infection control for inspiration.
Marijuana plant

Is Marijuana Good for Public Health?

What if the rise in marijuana smoking prompted by legalization brings more than just tolerable negative side effects? What if it is actually good for public health?
Astronomical image of Alpha Capricorni

Ole Rømer and the Speed of Light

In 1676, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer predicted that an eclipse of one of Jupiter’s moons would occur ten minutes later than expected. How did he know?
An overhead perspective of a Common Green Darner on a green leaf

Long-Distance Migration: Everybody’s Doing It

The birds do it. The butterflies do it. And now we know that the dragonflies do to it, too: long-distance migration. 
Microscope view of three tapeworm eggs

Happy 100th Birthday to the Journal of Parasitology!

This year, the Journal of Parasitology celebrates its 100th anniversary
Orange and rust autumn leaves, illustrated

Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall?

Why do leaves change colors in fall?
Various Dendrogamma, a new species, shown to scale and from several perspectives to show the tops, sides, and length of the organisms

New Organism Might Represent One of Life’s Earliest Forms

Dendrogramma enigmatica, an organism discovered in the 1980s, may be one of the earliest lifeforms.
A lone wolf walking a city's sidewalks.

Keeping Up with the Carnivores

Biological research tracks predatory carnivores, who are increasingly veering into North American cities.