BIOLOGY

The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain.

10 Facts About the Pineal Gland

René Descartes once described the pineal gland as “the principal seat of the soul.” Medical knowledge has vastly progressed since his time, though. Here’s what we know about this critical organ.

Why Does Your Body Jerk Awake As You’re Trying to Fall Asleep?

Up to 70 percent of people have experienced hypnic jerks, but they’re usually nothing to worry about.

Foot pain and sprained ankles are just a few of the common problems affecting our ill-adapted feet.

6 Downsides of Human Evolution

From back injuries to difficult childbirth, here are six annoying parts of being human that you can blame on evolution.

Going on “fart walks” can alleviate digestion issues.

The Science and Benefits of “Fart Walks”

“Fart walks” could be the answer to your gastrointestinal woes.

Here’s the newly-discovered flea toad on top of a coin.

Recently Discovered ‘Toadlet’ Is One of Smallest Vertebrates on Earth

Researchers just described one of the tiniest frogs known to science.

The endangered species faces another obstacle.

Polar Bears Are Picking Up More Pathogens as Sea Ice Shrinks

Researchers recently found that polar bears are facing higher exposure to certain bacteria and viruses.

Tollund Man—a bog body at the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark

8 Kinds of Mummies That Aren’t From Ancient Egypt

China, Chile, and New Zealand are a few places that have historic mummies of their own.

Don’t expect 120th birthdays to become the norm anytime soon.

The Average Human Lifespan May Be Reaching a Plateau

Barring some dramatic medical advancements, living into your eighties remains the best-case scenario.

New ”Golden Lettuce” Was Engineered to Boost Nutrition

Golden lettuce isn’t just pretty—it’s good for you, too.

Watch Mesmerizing Footage of a Deep-Sea ‘Spaghetti Monster’

Bathyphysa conifera, or the flying spaghetti monster, can grow several feet long.

These creepy crawlers must defend themselves from many predators, such as lizards, snakes, and birds.

Tarantulas May Have Evolved Hair to Defend Against Army Ants

A new study on tarantulas reveals surprising insights into their relationship with army ants.

Dodos were more agile than most people think.

Dodos May Have Been Fast and Strong, Contradicting Stereotypes

What you think you know about the dodo bird is probably wrong.

Red eyes are a hallmark of many albino creatures.

Why Do Albino Animals Have Red Eyes?

It has nothing to do with red pigment.

These gentle giants have so much history.

New Study Sheds Light on the Greenland Shark's Record-Breaking Lifespan

Scientists are closer to understanding how Greenland sharks can survive for hundreds of years.

The Real-Life Marine Biologist Who Helped Inspire ‘Jaws’

Dr. Donald “Reef” Nelson dedicated his life to studying sharks and was part of the inspiration for Matt Hooper, Richard Dreyfuss’s character from 1975's “Jaws.”

Everything you knew about normal human body temperature is a myth.

The 98.6°F Myth: Why Everything You Think You Know About Body Temperature Is a Lie

The average body temperature isn't actually 98.6°F, a fact scientists have known for at least three decades. So why does this myth persist?

Unlovable Sea Lampreys Might Share Our Fight-or-Flight Instinct

The alien-looking, bloodsucking fish have cells that may form the same rudimentary nervous system we have.

20 Surprising (and Horrifying) Facts About Pregnancy

The act of bringing another person into the world comes with a whole host of things you might not have anticipated, from a phenomenon called “lightning crotch” and disappearing belly buttons to unexpected excrement and so much more.

A northern hawk owl snoozes in a tree cavity.

How Do Birds Sleep?

At some point, whether during the day or at night, all birds need to sleep. How do they do it?

Parrots are among the longest-living birds.

How Long Do Birds Live?

A single number for birds’ lifespans is difficult to pin down, but the ability to fly is one of the keys to their longevity.

How Foxes Might Use Earth's Magnetic Field to Hunt Prey

Foxes are highly skilled hunters, which allows them to eat a variety of small animals.

Guests look at a portrait of Henrietta Lacks.

How Henrietta Lacks Became the Mother of Modern Medicine

Though she died of cancer in 1951, Henrietta Lacks's immortal cells became the foundation for countless medical advancements.

Homicidal or harmless? iNaturalist can help you answer that question.

The iNaturalist App Is Like Shazam for Plants, Animals, and Insects

It has even led to the discovery of a new species.

They’re the only marsupials you're likely to find north of Mexico.

13 Facts About Opossums

Opossums have a bad reputation, but they’re smarter and more beneficial to people than other woodland denizens. Discover more about these unique marsupials here.