All Stories
- Science & Society
Our brains might help explain why people disagree on politics
Differing political views may stem from our evolutionary past — and show up in distinct brain activity. Knowing this may help with challenging discussions.
- Brain
Why we aren’t really ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’
The idea that we use different sides of the brains to be creative or logical is popular — but it’s not supported by science. Here’s why.
- Space
Why are scientists suddenly interested in UFOs?
For decades, science mostly ignored UFOs. Then in 2015 Navy pilots started reporting them. The U.S. government enlisted scientists to investigate.
- Archaeology
An Egyptian mummy’s silent ‘scream’ hints at her violent death
A rare muscle stiffening known as a cadaveric spasm might explain the mummy’s open-mouthed expression.
- Earth
Thunderstorms churn up a ‘boiling pot’ of high-energy gamma rays
A thunderstorm seen in gamma ray vision plays out as a complex, frenzied lightshow above the clouds.
- Science & Society
Scientists Say: Dialect
Different dialects of the same language have distinct words, pronunciations and sentence structures.
- Animals
Werewolves could learn from other critters when to hunt
Werewolves aren’t the only creatures that undergo transformation under the full moon. But could weak werewolves be at risk of becoming prey?
- Animals
How to make ‘worms’ more nutritious — and easier to swallow
Extracting protein from insect larvae could lead to a healthful food ingredient — and you never have to bite into crunchy legs or squishy bodies.
- Psychology
Struggling to find happiness? Here are some paths to positivity
Teens can become happier by being kind to themselves and connecting with others — in person, rather than online.
- Earth
Analyze This: Why do atmospheric ‘ghosts’ glow green after red sprites?
Green ghosts — blurs of light that sometimes follow lightning — get their color from oxygen and metals in space dust.
- Animals
Let’s learn about animal cannibals
The animal kingdom is full of creatures that eat their parents, their babies, their siblings or their mates.
- Plants
Explainer: How a seed grows into a plant
Plants use carbon from the air to make food and build shoots, roots and more. They adapt and respond to their environments in many incredible ways.
