BIOLOGY

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.

A baby crocodile made for a scientific milestone.

Scientists Marvel at the First ‘Virgin Birth’ Documented in a Crocodile

The baby croc was the product of a mother who has spent her entire life in captivity.

8 Historical Methods of Detecting Pregnancy

Before home pregnancy tests, the most reliable test was just to wait and see. But people still wanted to know as early as possible whether they were harboring a tiny human.

8 Bodily Secretions You’d Rather Not Think About

Rheum, cerumen, and mucus are just a few of our gross bodily fluids.

Elephant Recorded Peeling a Banana With Its Trunk for the First Time

In this video, Pang Pha the elephant is shown peeling a banana using only her trunk—a first for the species.

Anglerfish Mating Is Horrific—and Here’s How It Works

If you thought modern-day dating was rough, just wait until you find out how these deep-sea dwellers get it on.

Chemistry between couples does involve actual chemistry.

When You Feel “Chemistry” With Someone, What’s Actually Going On?

We know chemistry when we feel it, but we don't always know why we're drawn to one person over another. Science has some answers … but not all of them.

10 Brilliant Facts About Teeth

The average adult human has 28 to 32 teeth, give or take a set of wisdom teeth. But besides the importance of brushing and flossing, how well do you know your chompers?

What’s That White Stuff on Your Salmon (And Is It Safe to Eat)?

That’s the salmon’s albumin—here’s everything you need to know about what it is and how to avoid it when cooking salmon.

For the First Time Ever, Scientists Witnessed—and Recorded—Orcas Stalking and Killing a Blue Whale

New video evidence shows that orcas are capable of hunting and killing blue whales—the largest animals on Earth.

Are Zebras Black With White Stripes or White With Black Stripes?

What color are a zebra's stripes? Though it may sound like a philosophical query, it is possible to answer this question with science.

Here's What Really Happens When You Swallow Gum

If you've managed to get this far in life without swallowing gum, you may ask yourself: Can ingesting gum really hurt you?

Koalas Have Fingerprints That Are Nearly Indistinguishable From Ours

Though humans and koalas don't have much in common, there is one big similarity: fingerprints. Koalas have looping fingerprints just like humans, and some might not be able to tell them apart.

mihailomilovanovic/iStock via Getty Images

The Surprising Reason Your Muscles Get Tired When You Exercise

Though it may be annoying, sudden muscle fatigue during exercise is nothing to worry about. It's a byproduct of the way your body uses energy.

David Clark, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0

Don’t Smell the Flowers: How Alnwick Castle’s Poison Garden Finds Beauty in the World’s Deadliest Plants

Smelling or touching the plants in the Poison Garden at the UK's Alnwick Castle could send you to the hospital.

Why Do Flamingos Stand on One Leg?

Pink flamingos’ ability to stand on one leg seems impressive—but it might be less of a balancing act than you think.

Scientists Are Unlocking the Mysteries of an Echidna’s Fancy, Four-Headed Penis

An echidna’s penis doesn’t have to excrete any urine, which may help explain why it’s fancier than a human’s.

The chocolate frog on a very green leaf.

Scientists Have Identified a New ‘Chocolate Frog’ Species

We simply have to assume that at least one researcher made some reference to Harry Potter’s chocolate frogs when they found it.

Why Does the Sun Make Hair Lighter?

If you get natural blond highlights in the summer, your hair may be damaged by too much exposure to the sun.

7 of the Most Destructive Invasive Insects

They may be small, but these invasive insects have caused serious damage to agriculture and the environment since invading the U.S.

7 of the Most Destructive Invasive Insects

They may be small, but these invasive insects have caused serious damage to agriculture and the environment since invading the U.S.

7 of the Most Destructive Invasive Insects

They may be small, but these invasive insects have caused serious damage to agriculture and the environment since invading the U.S.

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