Stories by Anirban Mukhopadhyay

Anirban Mukhopadhyay is an independent science journalist based in India. He has a Ph.D. in genetics from Delhi University and writes about science policy and cutting-edge biomedical research. Find him on X @onipedia and on LinkedIn.

Close-up of a housecat’s head gazing at the camera as the cat lies down.

CognitionJune 10, 2026

Science confirms: Cats help you only when there’s something in it for them

Dogs spontaneously aid struggling humans the way young children do—whereas cats wait until they stand to benefit

Anirban Mukhopadhyay

The silhouette of a white-tailed deer poses in front of a sunset on a grassy hill

AnimalsJanuary 21, 2026

The forest may be glowing—at least to deer

Deer antler rubs and hoof scrapes change how parts of the forest reflect short-wavelength light, perhaps leaving a glowing signal

Anirban Mukhopadhyay

Close-up of mirror spider Thwaitesia sp.

Science in ImagesJanuary 5, 2026

Why does life keep evolving these geometric patterns?

A global catalog shows how creatures across the tree of life balance rigidity with flexibility in remarkably consistent ways

Anirban Mukhopadhyay

Several dinosaurs pose threateningly while roaring at each other

PaleontologyOctober 30, 2025

‘Dueling Dinosaurs’ Fossil Solves the Mystery of a ‘Mini T. rex’

An analysis suggests Nanotyrannus is a separate, smaller dinosaur that lived alongside T. rex, settling a 30-year debate

Anirban Mukhopadhyay

AnimalsSeptember 18, 2025

Some Dogs Can Learn Categories like Human Toddlers Do

These dogs can extend words to new objects based on function the way children do in early language learning

Anirban Mukhopadhyay