Robotic Fish to Keep a Fishy Eye on the Health of the Oceans Researchers introduced SoFi, a soft robotic fish that can be operated underwater with a souped up Super Nintendo controller. By JOANNA KLEIN
‘These Eagles Are More Than Just a Symbol’ Avid bird-watchers come out annually for the counting program in the San Bernardino National Forest and California state parks, where conservation of eagles has largely been a success. By ADAM POPESCU
In a Cockroach Genome, ‘Little Mighty’ Secrets The American cockroach has the second largest insect genome ever sequenced. The variety of genes may help it survive in a multitude of environments. By STEPH YIN
Something’s Brewing in the Lab: Beer Without Hops Growing the small, green flowers is resource-intensive, and farmers can’t keep up. So scientists engineered yeast to produce the bitter, citrusy flavor in beer. By DOUGLAS QUENQUA
‘Rewilding’ Missing Carnivores May Help Restore Some Landscapes The cascade of ecological benefits that followed the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and Idaho suggests opportunities for similar efforts around the planet. By JOANNA KLEIN
In Search of the Perfect Hair Dye A study by Northwestern researchers reports that a form of graphene can be used as a less harmful hair color. By SHEILA KAPLAN
Picture a Leader. Is She a Woman? Most people will draw a man. Researchers investigate the consequences. By HEATHER MURPHY
Steve, a Famous Northern Light, Stays Mysterious (and Keeps His Name) Steve is a glowing strip in the night sky, not far from the northern lights. It was named after a cartoon. Now scientists have learned more. By JACEY FORTIN
A Newly Discovered Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles Many differences between the two reptiles center on their heads and mouths, but researchers in Japan have found features in their limbs that set them apart. By NICHOLAS ST. FLEUR
After a Volcano’s Ancient Supereruption, Humanity May Have Thrived Some said the Toba volcano’s explosion brought humanity to the brink of extinction 74,000 years ago, but archaeological evidence from South Africa challenges the idea. By SHANNON HALL
Watch the High-Flying Physics of a Plant’s Exploding Fruits Three undergradute physics majors and their professor worked out how the hairyflower wild petunia shoots tiny seeds more than 20 feet through the air. By KENNETH CHANG
The Weird World Inside a Pitcher Plant A species of pitcher plant found in Singapore isn’t very good at dissolving the prey it catches, but it gets nutritional help from worm larvae that live and eat within its maws. By JOANNA KLEIN
The Cells That Eat, Regurgitate and Eat Your Tattoos Again In a study of mice, scientists learned that macrophages are key to making tattoos permanent, knowledge that might help improve methods for removing them. By STEPH YIN
How the Shape of Your Ears Affects What You Hear We’re able to locate sound because our brains grasp the shape of our ears. When that shape changes, we need time and practice to adapt. By VERONIQUE GREENWOOD
This Hummingbird Chirps Like an Insect. Can It Hear Its Own Sound? A South American hummingbird’s noise is well above the normal hearing range of most birds, perhaps to stand out amid the din of other species in its habitat. By DOUGLAS QUENQUA
A Supercolony of Penguins Has Been Found Near Antarctica Satellite images and a drone discovered about 1.5 million Adélie penguins living in the Danger Islands, one of two species whose habitats require ice. By KAREN WEINTRAUB
When Did Americans Stop Marrying Their Cousins? Ask the World’s Largest Family Tree Researchers assembled 5 million family trees using data from the website Geni.com to test several genetic and historical hypotheses. By STEPH YIN
They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease 17 healthy volunteers were paid to help prove a method of testing vaccines for schistosomiasis, which can be lethal, but some researchers are conflicted about the trial. By HEATHER MURPHY
You Get Thirsty and Drink. How Does Your Brain Signal You’ve Had Enough? Researchers have identified a set of neurons in mice that may explain the swift sensation of satisfaction that comes after a drink of water. By VERONIQUE GREENWOOD
No Sign of Newborn North Atlantic Whales This Breeding Season Researchers tracking the endangered species grounds for birthing calves haven’t seen one baby this season, further raising the specter of extinction for the whales. By KAREN WEINTRAUB
Robotic Fish to Keep a Fishy Eye on the Health of the Oceans Researchers introduced SoFi, a soft robotic fish that can be operated underwater with a souped up Super Nintendo controller. By JOANNA KLEIN
‘These Eagles Are More Than Just a Symbol’ Avid bird-watchers come out annually for the counting program in the San Bernardino National Forest and California state parks, where conservation of eagles has largely been a success. By ADAM POPESCU
In a Cockroach Genome, ‘Little Mighty’ Secrets The American cockroach has the second largest insect genome ever sequenced. The variety of genes may help it survive in a multitude of environments. By STEPH YIN
Something’s Brewing in the Lab: Beer Without Hops Growing the small, green flowers is resource-intensive, and farmers can’t keep up. So scientists engineered yeast to produce the bitter, citrusy flavor in beer. By DOUGLAS QUENQUA
‘Rewilding’ Missing Carnivores May Help Restore Some Landscapes The cascade of ecological benefits that followed the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and Idaho suggests opportunities for similar efforts around the planet. By JOANNA KLEIN
In Search of the Perfect Hair Dye A study by Northwestern researchers reports that a form of graphene can be used as a less harmful hair color. By SHEILA KAPLAN
Picture a Leader. Is She a Woman? Most people will draw a man. Researchers investigate the consequences. By HEATHER MURPHY
Steve, a Famous Northern Light, Stays Mysterious (and Keeps His Name) Steve is a glowing strip in the night sky, not far from the northern lights. It was named after a cartoon. Now scientists have learned more. By JACEY FORTIN
A Newly Discovered Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles Many differences between the two reptiles center on their heads and mouths, but researchers in Japan have found features in their limbs that set them apart. By NICHOLAS ST. FLEUR
After a Volcano’s Ancient Supereruption, Humanity May Have Thrived Some said the Toba volcano’s explosion brought humanity to the brink of extinction 74,000 years ago, but archaeological evidence from South Africa challenges the idea. By SHANNON HALL
Watch the High-Flying Physics of a Plant’s Exploding Fruits Three undergradute physics majors and their professor worked out how the hairyflower wild petunia shoots tiny seeds more than 20 feet through the air. By KENNETH CHANG
The Weird World Inside a Pitcher Plant A species of pitcher plant found in Singapore isn’t very good at dissolving the prey it catches, but it gets nutritional help from worm larvae that live and eat within its maws. By JOANNA KLEIN
The Cells That Eat, Regurgitate and Eat Your Tattoos Again In a study of mice, scientists learned that macrophages are key to making tattoos permanent, knowledge that might help improve methods for removing them. By STEPH YIN
How the Shape of Your Ears Affects What You Hear We’re able to locate sound because our brains grasp the shape of our ears. When that shape changes, we need time and practice to adapt. By VERONIQUE GREENWOOD
This Hummingbird Chirps Like an Insect. Can It Hear Its Own Sound? A South American hummingbird’s noise is well above the normal hearing range of most birds, perhaps to stand out amid the din of other species in its habitat. By DOUGLAS QUENQUA
A Supercolony of Penguins Has Been Found Near Antarctica Satellite images and a drone discovered about 1.5 million Adélie penguins living in the Danger Islands, one of two species whose habitats require ice. By KAREN WEINTRAUB
When Did Americans Stop Marrying Their Cousins? Ask the World’s Largest Family Tree Researchers assembled 5 million family trees using data from the website Geni.com to test several genetic and historical hypotheses. By STEPH YIN
They’re Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease 17 healthy volunteers were paid to help prove a method of testing vaccines for schistosomiasis, which can be lethal, but some researchers are conflicted about the trial. By HEATHER MURPHY
You Get Thirsty and Drink. How Does Your Brain Signal You’ve Had Enough? Researchers have identified a set of neurons in mice that may explain the swift sensation of satisfaction that comes after a drink of water. By VERONIQUE GREENWOOD
No Sign of Newborn North Atlantic Whales This Breeding Season Researchers tracking the endangered species grounds for birthing calves haven’t seen one baby this season, further raising the specter of extinction for the whales. By KAREN WEINTRAUB
