Laurel Hamers

Laurel Hamers was the general assignment reporter at Science News.

All Stories by Laurel Hamers

  1. Animals

    Scallops’ amazing eyes use millions of tiny, square crystals to see

    Each of a scallop’s many eyes contains an intricate mirror made from millions of crystals.

  2. Animals

    Here’s yet more evidence that the mythical yeti was probably a bear

    A more complete genetic analysis amps up the evidence that the legendary creatures known as yetis are actually bears.

  3. Health & Medicine

    Step away from the cookie dough. E. coli outbreaks traced to raw flour

    Flour, though low in moisture, can sicken people with E. coli toxins if it is eaten raw.

  4. Animals

    Seeds coated in a common pesticide might affect birds’ migration

    Eating small amounts of a neonicotinoid pesticide can disorient white-crowned sparrows.

  5. Animals

    Even a tiny oil spill spells bad news for birds

    Just a small amount of crude can make birds less active.

  6. Animals

    The key to breaking down plastic may be in caterpillars’ guts

    Caterpillars that feast on plastic have different gut microbes than those that eat a grain-based diet.

  7. Animals

    This deep-sea fish uses weird eyes to see in dark and light

    The eyes of deep-sea fish called pearlsides contain cells that look like rods but act like cones.

  8. Animals

    Ants were among the world’s first farmers

    50 years ago, researchers began unraveling the secrets to Attine ants’ green thumbs.

  9. Earth

    Dino-dooming asteroid impact created a chilling sulfur cloud

    The Chicxulub impact spewed more sulfur than previously believed.

  10. Life

    A new material may one day keep mussels off piers and boat hulls

    Mussels don’t stick to a new lubricant-infused silicone material.

  11. Life

    The next wave of bird flu could be worse than ever

    Deadly bird flu can pass between ferrets through the air.

  12. Chemistry

    A potential drug found in a sea creature can now be made efficiently in the lab

    Cooking bryostatin 1 up in a lab lets researchers explore its potential as a drug.