The Evolution of the Mad Scientist
The crazed caricature of genius was largely inspired by now-debunked late-Victorian ideas about how species change.
Why National Pride Could Make or Break Climate Action
Nationalism and environmentalism have a history of pairing in dark ways. What does this mean for international climate negotiations?
Why the Belowground Ecosystem Matters
Trees get all the credit. But for biodiversity, look down, too.
Coping with Climate Anxiety
A psychologist suggests ways of giving young people hope for the future of the planet—and themselves.
Plant of the Month: Jackfruit
The newly hot alternative to meat has a long history.
Solar-Powered Sea Slugs and Survival in Future Seas
These Florida mollusks make off with chloroplasts from algae and cleverly photosynthesize them for their own nutrition.
How to Plant Trees in the City: It’s Complicated
Trees in cities have the ability to sequester carbon, provide shade, and mitigate flooding. But no one tree fits all environments.
Abortion Remedies from a Medieval Catholic Nun(!)
Hildegard von Bingen wrote medical texts describing how to prepare abortifacients.
Descubriendo pistas sobre la contaminación local con magnetismo
Un análisis químico de una área puede determinar cuánta contaminación hay en el aire. Pero hay un método mucho menos costoso que podría ayudar a las comunidades más pobres.