Diverse Tree Portfolio Weathers Droughts Better
Forests with numerous tree species, and therefore a mix of water-management strategies, appear more tolerant of drought. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biology9750 articles archived since 1845
Female Cockroaches May Cluster Together to Avoid Male Harassment
Pacific beetle cockroaches form groups and kick out unwanted suitors
Sea Otters' Powerful Paw Prey Perception
The marine mammals have extraordinarily sensitive touch—which helps them nab prey in the absence of other sensory cues. Christopher Intagliata reports.
What Is Gymnema Sylvestre and Can It Kill Sugar Cravings?
Gymnemic acid binds to the taste receptors on your tongue that perceive sweetness. As a result, it makes sweet things taste a lot less sweet
Searching for Chocolate's Roots, and Enemies, in Colombia's Wilderness
A newfound peace has spurred the hunt for disease-resistant wild cacao within the nation’s borders
The Environment's New Clothes: Biodegradable Textiles Grown from Live Organisms
To combat the ill effects of “fast fashion,” designers look for more sustainable methods
Genetic Tweak Gave Early Humans a Leg Up
A mutation in a key gene may have endowed humans with superior endurance—allowing them to compete better with other animals on the savanna. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Brain's Dumped DNA May Lead to Stress, Depression
New research suggests genetic material from the mitochondria can trigger an immune response throughout the body
Earlier Springs May Mean Mistimed Bird Migrations
Springtime's arriving earlier across North America. But the degree of change isn't the same everywhere, which could spell trouble for migratory birds. Christopher Intagliata reports.
How Mammals Maintain Symmetry during Development
Communication with the placenta is key to ensuring body parts grow at the same rate
RNA Expert Wins "American Nobel"
Interview: Joan Argetsinger Steitz weighs in on #MeToo and working with James Watson
Survey the Wildlife of the "Great Indoors"
Biologists are enlisting citizen scientists to poke around under the sink and behind the curtains, for wildlife living in the "great indoors." Karen Hopkin reports.
Ritual Sacrifice May Have Shaped Dog Domestication
An ancient Arctic site suggests a complex relationship between humans and canines
Bonnethead Sharks Are Underwater Lawn Mowers
The hammerhead relatives consume copious amounts of sea grass, and have the digestive machinery to process it—making them true omnivores. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Hawk Moths Hold Steady When Faced with Turbulence
Hawk moths hover while they feed, but they recover surprisingly quickly when knocked off-balance. Scientists use high-speed video and mini-cannons made of plastic toy parts to understand how hawk moths respond to disturbances mid-air. "Lens of Time: The Art of Staying Stable" was first published on bioGraphic © 2018 California Academy of Science.
Hurricane Is a Natural Selection Experiment
When Hurricane Irma blew through the Turks and Caicos, lizards with shorter hindlimbs lucked out. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Here's Looking at Humanity, Kid
Senior Editor Gary Stix talks about the September special issue of Scientific American, devoted to the science of being human. And Brown University evolutionary biologist Ken Miller discusses human chromosome 2 and what it tells us about us.
Rescuing Ancient Art from Microbes
An effort to develop new products to conserve a collection of lithographs has revealed two new species of fungi
Sometimes Mosquitoes Are Just Thirsty
Mosquitoes want your blood for its proteins...or simply to hydrate on a hot, dry day.
