All Stories
- Materials Science
Radar distinguishes electronics from other metals
Using two pulses of radio waves, method could locate survivors trapped in rubble.
- Plants
Single-sex flowers release his, hers fragrances
Growing on the same tree, male blooms smell different from female blooms in certain tropical plant species.
- Genetics
Dog clone genome nearly identical to donor DNA
The genetic material of Snuppy and of his donor, Tai, is nearly identical.
- Humans
Our Final Invention
Computers already make all sorts of decisions for you. Imagine if the machines controlled even more aspects of life and could truly think for themselves.
- Planetary Science
Carbonation may have grounded Mars’ atmosphere
The chemical interaction could have forced Red Planet’s atmospheric carbon dioxide into the dirt.
- Earth
Trees mark the spot of buried gold
Tiny bits of the precious metal in eucalyptus leaves indicate treasure lurks belowground.
- Particle Physics
Higgs mass isn’t natural, but maybe it shouldn’t be
Famous particle’s perplexing properties suggest physicists should change their expectations.
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- Environment
Feedback
Readers respond to "Solving soot," trade-offs of horn size for male Soay sheep and the huge galactic explosion story from 50 years ago.
- Physics
Oldest pitch-drop experiment
The allure of pitch — a black tarlike hydro-carbon by-product of distilling petroleum, wood or coal — comes from its split personality: It shatters from a quick hit with a hammer, but flows if set aside for long periods.
- Life
Good news for giant pandas
The animal’s immune system has higher than expected genetic diversity, which could lead to better breeding programs.
- Health & Medicine
Infant digestive problem more likely with formula
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, which causes forceful vomiting, is more common in babies not breast-fed.
