Cordyceps militaris

“There’s Gold in Them Thar Fungi”: Cordyceps as Cash Crop

A fungus in the genus Cordyceps has us running scared. But some of its species are worth more than their weight in gold.
Botanical illustration of Sisymbrium irio Linnaeus (unknown artist, 1896-1898)

Plant of the Month: London Rocket

London rocket was observed in abundance following the Great Fire of London in 1666, but why does this non-native weed still interest English botanists?

What it Sounds Like When Doves Cry

A century ago, an ornithologist proposed a system for transcribing bird sound as human speech. It did not catch on.
Digital illustration of surrealistic faceless human with spiritual thoughts. Made with vector vibrant color gradient geometry forms. Minimalist textured painting on mental, medical and artistic theme.

Mindful March: The Unexpected Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness has been linked with ethical decision making and avoidance of cognitive biases. Can it lead to better performance at work?
Brown Bears Sitting Together

Celebrate World Bear Day!

The joy and concern we feel on World Bear Day perfectly represents our complicated—and sometimes contradictory—feelings about these massive mammals.
Cougar Silhouette

Ghost Cats of the East

Why do people claim to see cougars in the eastern United States when the cats are now extremely rare in that part of North America?
Low angle view of Ferris wheel against clear blue sky

The Big Wheel

The Ferris wheel may not have been a new idea, but the revolving structure offered fun—from the fairgrounds to the classroom.
From Mundus Subterraneous by Athanasius Kircher, 1641

Where Does Water Come From?

And what does the early modern search for the answer to this question tell us about the “scientific method” we colloquially accept today?
Watercolor painting of the earth by Martin Eklund

Planetary Health: Foundations and Key Concepts

The groundwork for the field of planetary health was laid by a range of disciplines and movements, including medicine, ecology, health, and feminism.
Marshall Islands stick chart, Meddo type

Marshall Islands Wave Charts

Charts constructed of carefully bound sticks served as memory aids, allowing sailors of the Marshall Islands to navigate between the islands by feel.