All Stories
- Science & Society
Islamic science paved the way for a millennial celebration of light
Ibn al-Haytham’s book on optics from a millennium ago serves as a good excuse to celebrate the International Year of Light.
- Health & Medicine
Stem cells from wisdom teeth could help repair corneas
A study points to a potential new treatment for corneal blindness: Stem cells extracted from pulp from pulled wisdom teeth.
- Animals
Where an ant goes when it’s gotta go
Scientists found black garden ants defecating in certain spots inside their nests. The researchers say these spots serve as ant toilets.
- Health & Medicine
For athletes, antioxidant pills may not help performance
Supplements of vitamins C, E and other antioxidants may blunt the positive effects of exercise training.
By Laura Beil - Paleontology
Hippo history extracted from fossil teeth found in Kenya
Fossilized teeth from the newly identified Epirigenys lokonensis, an ancestor of the hippopotamus, are filling in some of the mammoth mammal’s history.
- Oceans
‘Ocean Worlds’ chronicles the story of water on Earth and across the cosmos
Jan Zalasiewicz and Mark Williams recount the history and predict the future of Earth’s oceans.
- Oceans
Glassy blue iceberg goes belly up
A photographer snaps a rare picture of a recently overturned iceberg near Antarctica.
- Life
Gene study digs into partnership between fungi and plants
Fungal genes for symbiotic relationship with plants evolved a few times, and relatively recently, a study suggests.
- Health & Medicine
Early peanut exposure can reduce likelihood of allergy
In many infants at risk of developing a peanut allergy, early and steady exposure to peanut butter prevents it, a new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Ecosystems
Bubonic plague was a serial visitor in European Middle Ages
Outbreaks of Black Death in medieval Europe may have been triggered by faraway weather patterns and hungry gerbils.
- Earth
Steam bubbles carry gold and sulfur up from Earth’s depths
Dense blends of metals and sulfur get a ride to the surface on water vapor bubbles.
- Science & Society
Enjoy scientific curios collected over decades
Explore a modern scientist's curiosity cabinet.