Evolution
Ancient Dogs Had Complex Genetic Histories
Some dog population genetics show similarities to ours, such as in the ability to digest grains. But other lineages differ.
Stories by Eliene Augenbraun
Biology
Thoroughbred Horses Are Increasingly Inbred
Inbreeding in Thoroughbreds has increased significantly in the past 45 years, with the greatest rise occurring in the past 15 or so of them.
Chemistry
Fingering Fake Whiskeys with Isotopes
Whiskeys claimed to be from the 19th century are revealed to be made with much more recently grown barley, thanks to the unique isotopic fingerprint of the nuclear-testing era.
Biology
Fido’s Human Age Gets New Estimates
By comparing how DNA gets altered over the lifetimes of people and dogs, researchers came up with a new way to compare canine years with human years.
Biology
When the Bellbird Calls, You Know It
The white bellbird of the Amazon may be the loudest bird in the world.
Fitness
Rain Forest Dwellers and Urbanites Have Consistently Different Microbiomes
A study done in South America found that with increasing population density, humans had more diversity of fungi on the skin but less microbial diversity in the gut.
Biology
Subtle Ancient Footprints Come to Light
Ground-penetrating radar can detect tiny density differences that lead to images of ancient footprints impossible to discern by eye.
Environment
Microplastics in Fresh Water Are Mostly Laundry Lint
Microplastic particles are everywhere, but in freshwater systems, 60 percent of particles are clothing lint from laundry.
Culture
The Best of the Quantum Shorts Film Festival
And the winner is … a tale about a parallel universe-hopping psychopath
Culture
Could You Be the Greatest Sci-Fi Filmmaker on the Planet?
The Quantum Shorts film festival wants to know, and the deadline for submissions is coming up on December 1
Space & Physics
NASA Interns Are Really, Really Excited about Their Work [Video]
They want you to be excited, too, so they produce their own music videos—the latest inspired by Flo Rida’s "My House"
Space & Physics
Jupiter's Red Spot Is Red Hot
What Jupiter’s spot is not, is tranquil. New infrared images taken by Boston University scientists on a NASA telescope in Hawaii show that whereas Jupiter’s north and south poles are heated by strong magnetic fields, its large, stormy red spot generates its own heat by a different mechanism...
Biology
Carnivorous Glowing Worms Pretend They're Stars to Attract Prey [Video]
If you're a moth, better check twice to be sure that's really the sky you're looking at
Biology
Mosquitoes Drill Under Human Skin with 6 Hollow Needles [Video]
You'll never think about those warm summer evenings the same way again
Biology
California Ants Rally to Repel Argentine Invaders
The Golden State's native winter ants have stopped the seemingly inexorable march of their tiny foreign rivals
Biology
Slime Molds Are Smarter Than You Think
Not a high bar, admittedly, but they're still pretty amazing creatures...or...whatever
Biology
How Did This Crazy Insect Manage to Evolve? [Video]
The bombardier beetle's built-in chemistry lab makes for a formidable weapon
Space & Physics
The Earliest Flash of a Supernova, Captured for the First Time
For a mission that had a near-death experience in 2013, the Kepler spacecraft continues to do some pretty amazing science
Culture
Turning a Killer Virus into Award-Winning Art [Video]
Because sometimes a computer model simply doesn't show the richness of structure in the microbiological universe
The Sciences
This Mushroom Could Kill You [Video]
Amanita phalloides, aka the death cap, is spreading in California
