Space & Physics
Martian Satellite Photos Show Dynamic Planet
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter celebrated its 15th year circling Mars
"Science in Images"
Conservation
The Kaleidoscopic Art of Threatened Corals
Resilient corals in Miami may signal what the future holds for these creatures
Biology
This Super Speedy Bird Barely Stops to Sleep
Common swifts zoom around at almost 70 miles per hour and may sleep while in flight
Biology
Itsy-Bitsy 3-D Spider Web Is as Strong as Human-Made Materials
Lobster pot spiders spin their webs with a superior thread
Culture
Slit-Scan Technique Presents a Twist on Flowery Photography
Photographers and TikTokers can use the method to show how a narrow strip records something different in a series of sequential images
Evolution
Unprecedented 3-D view inside Animal Mummies
X-ray scans of ancient Egyptian cat, bird and snake mummies show details never seen before
Climate Change
Sea Angels and Sea Butterflies Reveal Climate Change Consequences
The delicate marine animals known as sea angels are facing unprecedented change because of global warming
Biology
See a Male Seahorse Give Birth
Unlike almost all other animal species, it is male seahorses who become pregnant and birth young
Fitness
A New Cell Map of the Human Heart
Scientists have created an atlas of cardiac cells in six regions that could help chart what goes awry in heart disease
Evolution
Dramatic Scope of the Anthropocene Can Be Seen from Above
Aerial photography highlights the effect humankind is having on the earth
Biology
Sharks Never Run Out of Teeth
The fish always have another set ready to fill their jaws
Biology
Deep-Sea Sponge Skeletons Could Inspire Better Bridges
The creature’s structure resists buckling and could lead to stronger and more durable architecture
Biology
Bizarre Bugs Found in Big City Show Nature’s Weirdness Is Everywhere
An urban expedition reveals nearly 1,000 species
Conservation
Beehives on a Cliff Wall Are Protected from Predators and Pesticides
A high mountain in China turns into a safe haven for the declining insects
The Sciences
Dissolving Candy Gives Mathematicians Insight into How Some Landscapes Form
Researchers observed a sugary treat underwater to understand the origin of spiky rock forests
Culture
Luminous Zebra Fish Wins Contest for Microscopic Photography
A mix of scientists and hobbyists made our top picks from the 2020 Nikon Small World contest
Biology
Bundles of Plant-Water-Transportation Cells Resemble Snake Eyes
A microscopic image reveals a plant’s vascular system
Space & Physics
‘Antigravity’ Sailboat Floats under the Water’s Surface
Small objects bob on either side of a levitating layer of water
Evolution
Gallery: The Maya Who Escaped Spanish Conquest
The Lacandon Maya eluded the conquistadors and survived in the jungle for hundreds of years. Archaeological discoveries are revealing their past
Natural Disasters
Photos Show Massive Wildfires Devastating Oregon and California
Record-setting blazes fueled in part by climate change have destroyed homes and upended live across the West
