Animals
‘Mind Control’ Parasite Makes Wolves Effective Pack Leaders
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can change the behavior of infected wolves in ways that make them more likely to be pack leaders
Stories by Emma Marris
Animals
Watch Octopuses Throw Things at Each Other
Cephalopods living unusually close together have been filmed throwing shells, algae and silt—sometimes at another octopus
Environment
Animals Worldwide Stick Close to Home When Humans Move In
Baboons, grizzly bears and other species are giving up their wild ways as cities, farms and roads fracture habitat
Policy
U.S. March for Science Group Faces Growing Pains
Critics say the organization is unduly secretive
Environment
Trees in Eastern U.S. Head West as Climate Changes
Breaking from the general poleward movement of many species, flowering trees take an unexpected turn
Conservation
Wolf Transplant Could Reset Iconic Island Study
US government proposes introducing wolves to Isle Royale as population dwindles
Policy
Is Donald Trump Pushing More Scientists Toward Political Activism?
Researchers are reaching out to the U.S. president-elect with science advice—and criticism
Evolution
Underwater Archaeologists Find Ancient Butchering Site in Florida
Tools and bones add to evidence of pre-Clovis humans in America
Biology
Strange Seaweed Rewrites the History of Green Plants
An ancient alga developed large size and complex structure independently of other plants
Evolution
Genetics Probe Identifies New Galapagos Tortoise Species
Known group of 250 animals found to be genetically distinct from their island neighbors
Evolution
Secrets of Ant Rafts Revealed
The architecture of flash-frozen ant assemblages are offering inspiration for robot designers
Biology
Slime Molds Should Serve as Model for Climate Negotiations
Ecologist Simon Levin discusses his work, including the study of how cooperation is achieved in slime molds, bacterial films and small societies in nature
Archaeology
200-Year Drought Doomed Indus Valley Civilization
A monsoon hiatus that began 4,200 years ago parallels a dry spell that led to the collapse of bronze age civilizations in Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia
Policy
Earth's Days Are Numbered
Researchers calculate that the planet will leave the sun's "habitable" zone in about 1.75 billion years
Biology
Mostly the Big-Brained Survive
Animals' brain-to-body size ratio predicts their likelihood of extinction, a new analysis finds
Environment
A Scientific Argument for Intervening in Nature
The science behind moving species under threat from climate change
