Earth
On an Alaskan glacier, little green moss balls roll in herds
Oval balls of moss, nicknamed ‘glacier mice,’ roll across some glaciers. A new study explores the mysteries behind their herd-like motion.
By Beth Geiger
Plants
More Stories in Plants
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ChemistryAncient recipes helped scientists resurrect a long-lost blue hue
Led by medieval texts, scientists hunted down a plant and used its fruit to make a blue watercolor with mysterious origins.
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PlantsLet’s learn about trees
These long-lived woody plants provide shade for people, homes for animals — and help protect the planet against climate change.
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PlantsLet’s learn about the future of food
Technology and a warming world will change what you eat and how it gets to your plate.
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Climate5 things to know about the climate-saving benefits of tree planting
A recent analysis of the benefits of massive efforts to plant more trees triggered a firestorm of controversy.
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PlantsScientists look to hack photosynthesis for a ‘greener’ planet
Photosynthesis turns sunlight into energy for plants. Scientists want to know more about it, imitate it — even improve it.
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AnimalsScientists Say: Species
This word describes organisms grouped by their similarities in genetics and physical traits. But defining species can be tricky.
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PlantsMeat-eating pitcher plants feast on baby salamanders
Scientists didn’t think meat-eating plants in North America ate vertebrates. They now know differently.
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EcosystemsA million species could vanish, and people are to blame
Human activities are putting a million plant and animal species at risk of extinction, a new study finds. But it’s not too late to save many of them, scientists add.
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EnvironmentCity living makes trees grow fast but die young
Many cities plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide. But city trees grow fast and die young, which means they absorb less carbon dioxide than forest trees do.