Susan Milius

Susan Milius

Life Sciences Writer

Life sciences writer Susan Milius has been writing about botany, zoology and ecology for Science News since the last millennium. She worked at diverse publications before breaking into science writing and editing. After stints on the staffs of The Scientist, Science, International Wildlife and United Press International, she joined Science News. Three of Susan's articles have been selected to appear in editions of The Best American Science Writing.

All Stories by Susan Milius

  1. Health & Medicine

    Worries grow that climate change will quietly steal nutrients from major food crops

    Studies show that rice, wheat and other staples could lose proteins and minerals, putting more people at risk of hunger worldwide.

  2. Animals

    This ancient marsupial lion had an early version of ‘bolt-cutter’ teeth

    Extinct dog-sized predator crunched with unusual slicers toward the back of its jaw.

  3. Animals

    Studying giant tortoise flips without tipping the animals over is a delicate business

    Giant tortoise shells go domed or saddlebacked, but which is better when navigating treacherous ground?

  4. Animals

    Rough lessons can lessen the pull of human scent on a mosquito

    A form of aversion therapy for mosquitoes shows they can connect human scent to a bad experience.

  5. Plants

    The dietary habits of the emerald ash borer beetle are complicated

    Tests answer some questions about the emerald ash borer’s hidden taste for olive and fringe trees.

  6. Genetics

    Current CRISPR gene drives are too strong for outdoor use, studies warn

    Self-limiting genetic tools already in development may be able to get around concerns surrounding the use of gene drives.

  7. Animals

    Honeybees fumble their way to blueberry pollination

    Blueberry flowers drive honeybees to grappling, even stomping a leg or two down a bloom throat, to reach pollen.

  8. Animals

    EPA OKs first living pest-control mosquito for use in United States

    Feds approve non-GM male tiger mosquitoes for sale as fake dads to suppress local pests.

  9. Animals

    Here’s why some water striders have fans on their legs

    A fan of tiny, elegant plumes on their legs helps certain water striders dash across flowing water without getting wet.

  10. Life

    Defining ‘species’ is a fuzzy art

    Here's why scientists still don't agree on what a species is.

  11. Animals

    This sea slug makes its prey do half the food catching

    Nudibranchs’ stolen meals blur classic predator-prey levels.

  12. Animals

    Scary as they are, few vampires have a backbone

    Researchers speculate on why there are so few vampires among vertebrates.