When Russia Conquered the World with White Oil
Russia was the first source of white oil, a Vaseline-like mix of hydrocarbons used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and plastics.
The Strange Tale of the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program
In the 1960s, over seventy scientists and graduate students traveled to U.S. outlying islands as part of the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program.
Why Do Pandas Have Thumbs?
Some panda species have strange thumb-like appendages, but their thumbs evolved for strikingly different reasons.
The Unexpected Problem With Wind Power
While it can be an excellent source of clean power, wind power also kills a lot of wildlife, including bats.
The Glowing Mystery of Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, an animal's ability to create and use light, exists exclusively in the lower branches of the tree of life.
The Incredible Moving Forest
For as long as plants have existed, there have been moving forests, migrating across the earth’s surface in response to changes in the climate.
Are There “Transgender” Proclivities in Animals?
We tend to think of gender expression as uniquely human. But many species gain advantages by projecting an opposite-sex appearance.
Sea Level Rise Is Already Here
For the 44% of the world's population that lives near the coastline, global climate change is no longer abstract.
Fast Fashion Fills Our Landfills
Americans dispose of about 12.8 million tons of textiles annually. Fashion has a major impact on the environment. So what is the industry doing about it?
What Did Manhattan Look Like in 1609?
The Welikia Project recreates a lost vision of Manhattan, one composed of marshes and forest surrounded by wide, meandering rivers.