The Beloved, Bedeviled Banana
The Cavendish banana is currently threatened by a fungal disease. A similar disease all but wiped out its predecessor, the Gros Michel banana.
Richard Prum: How Does Beauty Evolve?
Prum speaks on Darwin’s idea of sexual selection, the importance of arbitrary traits, and why he could never choose a favorite species of bird.
The Potential Pros and Cons of Seabed Mining
Concentrations of iron manganese nuggets and other metals in the deep seabed have stirred up interest in mining. But at what cost?
Can Artificial Intelligence Be Creative?
Machines can write compelling ad copy and solve complex "real life" problems. Should the creative class be worried?
Why Plastic Roads Lead to a Cleaner Ocean
To prevent several millions tons of plastic from flushing into the ocean every year, engineers are paving roads with it.
Climate Change and the Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration has moved to significantly weaken the ESA, limiting consideration of climate change when identifying species as endangered.
The Internet Is Rotting—Let’s Embrace It
Forgetting is beneficial for the human brain. But the internet has made it harder to let go of painful or problematic memories.
Get Ready For Human-Animal Hybrids
New progress in stem-cell research raises some thorny ethical questions.
The Ancient Roots of Apple Cider
Alcoholic apple cider has been around for centuries. So why does "hard cider" feel like a new trend?
The Importance of Technological Change in Shaping Generational Perspectives
If we name each generation based on the technological conditions it experienced, generations may soon encompass only a few years apiece.