Videos

Genetically modified foods have been demonized in recent years by health advocates and environmentalists alike. If we look at the history of food cultivation, however, it is apparent we've been eating them all along. SA editor Eric R. Olson explains.

Every organism on Earth has an expiration date. For humans, it's around 78 years, but some people make it to 100 or beyond. Scientific American editor Katherine Harmon explains how these outliers outlive the rest of us.

What causes the sky near Earth's poles to light up with swirling, colorful light? In this episode of the Countdown, we explore the physics behind auroras and more.

The answer lies in the tiny shifts we see in a star’s position as Earth revolves around the sun. Scientific American contributor Christopher Crockett explains.

The drowsiness we experience after a hearty Thanksgiving meal is usually blamed on the amino acid tryptophan, which turkey supposedly has an extra helping of. Or does it? Scientific American editor Ferris Jabr investigates.

Ever wonder why a bruise goes through a rainbow of color changes before it completely heals itself? Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti explains how it happens.

The Countdown is a biweekly video show highlighting the top space news stories. In this special episode, we countdown five space mysteries that astronomers have yet to solve.

It may sound like something straight out of a horror movie, but many animals can come under the zombie-like control of parasites. So what about humans? Scientific American editor Katherine Harmon fills us in on the ghoulish side of Nature.

NASA's Kepler spacecraft has discovered nearly 3,000 possible exoplanets by tracking slight fluctuations in starlight to reveal their orbits. This is one of several methods employed in the hunt for the next habitable world. John Matson explains.

Every year tornadoes rip through the U.S. Midwest, leaving death, injury and billions of dollars of damage in their wake. Where do these twisters come from, and just how nasty can they get? Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti reports.

Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti explains how the leaves of deciduous trees perform their annual chameleon act, changing from various shades of green to hues of bronze, orange and brilliant red.

DIY drone enthusiasts speak out about safety