Life

  1. Fossils

    These prehistoric fliers likely nested together

    Fossils in nest of newfound pterosaur species suggest these animals were part of a social network — and may even have lived communally.

    By
  2. Animals

    Free app tracks fireflies

    Scientists are worried about firefly populations. Now you can use a free app to map firefly flashes, and contribute data to tracking the health of this popular summertime bug.

    By
  3. Genetics

    Newfound DNA ‘enhancer’ behind many natural blonds

    Some snippets of DNA other than genes play a role in giving some people of European a golden crown of hair.

    By
  4. Animals

    Decoding bee dances

    Biologists have started eavesdropping on bees — or their dancing sign language — to identify where these buzzers prefer to forage. This info is pointing to which bee-friendly habitats may be most important to preserve.

    By
  5. Animals

    Teen studies water strider disappearing act

    As a child, Xidian Zhang loved to play with water striders. Now they’re gone, and pollution may be the reason. This teen’s findings earned him a spot at the 2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

    By
  6. Animals

    A science fair project makes bug killing sweet

    Simon Kaschock-Marenda wanted to see how flies responded to different sweeteners. Along the way, he discovered an insecticide that would pose little risk to people. And the 14-year-old is now a published author on a scientific paper.

    By
  7. Animals

    Trees: Koala air conditioning

    When koalas sprawl over a tree branch, they may not be lazy. They just might be taking advantage of some natural cooling — enough to survive a heat wave.

    By
  8. Plants

    Taking a long look at lichen

    Lichens may not look like much, but they play a vital role in our ecosystems. ISEF finalist Madeline Handley decided learn more about the lichens in her native Alaska.

    By
  9. Animals

    Mosquitoes, be gone!

    An extract of local seeds in Puerto Rico may be the key to keeping mosquitoes away. It kills the larval insects and repels the biting adults.

    By
  10. Brain

    Football hits the brain hard

    The brain’s hippocampus helps store memories. It is smaller in college football players — especially if they have suffered concussions.

    By
  11. Animals

    Killing mosquitoes with cashews

    When dengue fever came to his hometown, Gabriel Galdino looked for ways to stop its carrier, the mosquito. His findings got him a spot at the 2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

    By
  12. Microbes

    Convincing bacteria they’re alone

    Caffeine may be the trick to confusing some bacteria into thinking they’ve not yet summoned enough troops to launch a successful attack on their host. It could prove an alternative to antibiotics for certain infections.

    By