From 1983: Lise Meitner, Physicist, Is Dead at 89; Paved Way for Splitting of Atom
She laid much of the theoretical groundwork for the atomic bomb, although she did not participate directly in its production.
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Superfood Fuels Mating Frenzy for a Critically Endangered Parrot
Kakapos, which are reclusive and flightless and can live as long as humans, are found only in New Zealand. They feed on the fruit of the rim…
You’ve Never Seen Ants Like This Before
The Antscan database captures the tiny insects’ diversity and shows how the world’s living things could be rendered in three dimensions.
Tree Rings Reveal Origins of Some of the World’s Best Violins
A study of over 275 violins suggests that Antonio Stradivari used wood from high-altitude forests in northern Italy to craft some of his mos…
Chimpanzees Are Really Into Crystals
In an attempt to understand our own fascination with the shiny minerals, researchers gave some to chimps.
Experiment Shows Possibility of Martian Microbes Hitching a Ride to Earth
Hardy bacteria in a lab survived pressures comparable to an asteroid strike on the red planet, suggesting a hypothetical scenario in which o…
Your Closest Forest Gets Lit Up by a Hidden Purple Glow
Research shows that a phenomenon called St. Elmo’s Fire, which occurs during thunderstorms, may be much more common than previously unders…
Watch the Moon Turn Blood Red During a Total Lunar Eclipse
Earth’s shadow will temporarily drape the moon in a copper hue before sunrise on Tuesday.
Edward L. Deci, 83, Dies; Found Self-Determination as a Key to Happiness
His work with his colleague Richard Ryan changed how psychologists understand human motivation and what people require to flourish.
What Your DNA Reveals About the Sex Life of Neanderthals
Most people alive today carry fragments of Neanderthal DNA in their genome. Now scientists are gaining a more intimate understanding of the …
Bird Flu Strikes California Elephant Seals for the First Time
Thirty seals, primarily weaned pups, have died since late last week, scientists said.
The Password That Lets Caterpillars Hide in an Ant’s Lair
Some butterfly species can’t grow unless they trick ants into taking them home with a complex rhythmic signal.