The Biology of Death-Feigning
Some animals, when faced with predators, play dead instead of trying to escape. But for death-feigning to work, a lot of things have to go well.
The Woman Agrostologist Who Held the Earth Together
When government wouldn't fund female fieldwork, Agnes Chase pulled together her own resources.
To Save Civilization, Hang Up Your Phone
It's uniquely annoying to listen to one side of someone else's cellphone call. Our technology columnist examines why that is.
The Mysterious Gynandromorph
Gynandromorphy is an extremely rare condition in which an animal is half male and half female. It's most visible in birds and butterflies.
The Pangolin Extinction Vortex
This shy, strange-looking, nocturnal mammal has been poached nearly to extinction.
The Female Fossilist Who Became a Jurassic Period Expert
Dressed in a petticoat and bonnet, Mary Anning climbed precarious cliffs to find prehistoric fossils.
Remembering Climate Pioneer Dr. Wallace Broecker
He brought us the term "global warming," furthering our understanding of the ways in which people affect the planet's climate.
How Opium Use Became a Moral Issue
In the 19th century, England's working classes frequently used opium. But there weren't laws against the drug until the middle classes started using it.
The Beaufort Botanist and Her “Innocent Diversion”
Despite the twelve volume herbarium she created, this seventeenth-century scientist earned little recognition.
Are Honey Bees Bad for Wild Bees?
Recently, the health of the honey bees has been a topic of some concern. But many scientists think we should actually be worrying about wild bees instead.