Videos

Many social animals start to feel itchy after watching one of their fellows scratch, and scientists now have a better understanding of why an itch can spread through a group.

Iridescent butterfly wings get their brilliance from structures smaller than a wavelength of light. Scientists are now peeking inside the chrysalis to watch these structural colors form as a living butterfly develops.

"Lens of Time: Building a Butterfly Wing” was first published on bioGraphic © 2016, California Academy of Sciences.

Could the drummer robot lead its cyber brethren to march in sync—or maybe someday even start a band?

These deceptively cute purple worms are in fact fearsome predators, launching a net of sticky slime from tiny hoses to capture prey. Scientists are using high-speed cameras to understand how the fluid forces the worm's flexible tubes to oscillate and spray the goo over unlucky insects.

"Lens of Time: Velvet Worms—Secret of the Slime” was first published on bioGraphic © 2016, California Academy of Sciences.

A baker’s half-dozen of Earth-size worlds is orbiting a (relatively) nearby star—and some could be habitable

New studies suggest lonely planets flying through intergalactic space were formed by star-destroying supermassive black holes.

Human suitors may woo with red wine and roses, but these jumping spiders come courting with fancy dress and choreography. Now scientists know more about how spiders perceive their admirers' flamboyant displays.

Nobel laureate Robert Wilson discusses how a network of telescopes might illumine a black hole, after the 92nd Street Y’s Bang! Bang! event.

Ig Nobel Prize creator Marc Abrahams shows off this unusual disaster-preparedness device before a night discussing humor and science at the 92nd Street Y.

Scientists discovered a frog’s ability to nab an insect in a fraction of a second depends on the fluid mechanics of its spit.

3-D digital preservation not only helps save the memories of historical sites, it also guides restoration projects after natural disasters, such as the earthquakes that damaged the temples of Bagan.

Editor's Note: Viewers sensitive to flashing light may want to avoid this video.

There is still good reason to think undiscovered fundamental particles act as gravitational glue for galaxies.