Why Do Pandas Have Thumbs?
Some panda species have strange thumb-like appendages, but their thumbs evolved for strikingly different reasons.
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.
Plants Know When They Are Being Eaten. (And They Fight Back.)
Plants have long employed a variety of defensive strategies against herbivores, but the scope and sophistication of these defenses is still being understood.
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.
The Curious Science of Animal Personalities
Any pet owner can tell you that different pets have different personalities, but actually measuring personality in non-human animals is a challenge.
The Politics of Kindness in 2016
Kindness matters. It’s just that our politicians have their own reasons for their own kind behavior.
The Bigger Your House, The More Room for Bugs
Insect diversity inside the house strongly correlates with neighborhood income. The higher up the income ladder you climb, the greater the diversity of bugs.
Extreme Napping in the Animal Kingdom
Although sleep is ubiquitous for animals with brains, differences in how, why, and for how long animals sleep remain unexplained.