Stories by Inside Science News Service

Some organisms’ internal compasses relay direction via magnetic iron crystals, but in wood mice and birds, a totally different compass seems to rely on quantum processes

If speed was the problem, then here is the physics of what may have happened

The crowning achievement of the 18th-century researcher was the design of the first experiment to measure the force of gravity between masses in a lab

A design flaw in the carnivorous plant could be its greatest asset

Additives to road salt designed to make it more environmentally friendly might still have tradeoffs

New research shows that magnetic fields played a role in the solar system's formation

How should you treat your ducks? The answer is mired in duckling politics

Asteroid and comet impacts could have destroyed some habitats for life while also creating new ones for bacteria

Athletes often are able to race again just days later in part because winter sports typically involve less pounding of the joints

Sochi's elevation makes speed-skating world records unlikely

Rudimentary technology for measuring snow depth gets an update with new gauges, lasers, GPS and wind shields

A computer's microphone and speakers can covertly send and receive data

Small animals are more active under the full moon when large hunters strangely tend to lie low

Ads for over-the-counter drugs are worse than those that require a prescription

Artificial light sources can negatively affect circadian rhythms, scientists say

Activation of neurons during memory formation is sufficient for an animal to later recall that memory

A new effort to college data could bring more order to this "messy" martial art

The new approach for detecting ash-filled clouds could make air travel safer

Gorilla Glass's residual stress can be explained by observing how the motion of individual atoms affects the entire system of the material

Blood-engorged hairs help bats eat

Droplets of water combine, and then jump from the insect's water-repellent wings

Butterflies face more bumpy, turbulent skies than previously thought. Insights into their flight could help make micro-aerial vehicles more maneuverable

The pirate perch species is found to be able to mask its proximity from potential targets, suggesting that more organisms have this ability than previously thought

Some physicists are relying on a phenomenon called superposition to fill in their NCAA men's basketball tournament selections