The –est

  1. Animals

    Antarctic midge sports tiniest insect genome

    Antarctic midge‘s genetic minimalism achieved by skipping a lot of repetitive stretches.

    By Susan Milius
  2. Animals

    ‘Octomom’ sets egg-brooding record

    The deep ocean reveals a new record as an octopus mom broods the same clutch of eggs for almost 4.5 years.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  3. Animals

    Elephant’s big nose wins most sensitive sniffer

    A genetic survey reveals that African elephants harbor more smell sensors than any other known animal.

    By Nsikan Akpan
  4. Paleontology

    Fossils reveal largest airborne bird

    Despite its massive size, an extinct bird may have been an efficient glider.

    By Allison Bohac
  5. Life

    California mite becomes fastest land animal

    Despite being the size of a sesame seed, the Paratarsotomus macropalpis mite can outpace Usain Bolt and even a cheetah in terms of body lengths per second.