SCIENCE

A Massive Volcanic Eruption in Alaska May Have Doomed the Roman Republic

Research shows that a volcanic eruption in Alaska triggered a two-year cooling period in the Mediterranean—possibly destabilizing an already volatile Roman Republic.

Flushing a Toilet Could Create a Cloud of Coronavirus-Contaminated Droplets

Toilets have always sent contaminants into the air, but the coronavirus pandemic is giving new urgency to the practice of closing the lid whenever possible.

An artist’s interpretation of the birth of a baby mosasaur.

This Football-Sized Fossil Egg is the First Found in Antarctica, and It May Have Belonged to a Mosasaur

The 68-million-year-old fossil egg’s mystery mother may have been one of the fiercest marine predators from the Late Cretaceous period.

Dexamethasone is showing promise as an inexpensive treatment for coronavirus.

Oxford University Trial Finds Dexamethasone, a Widely Available Drug, Reduces Deaths in Critically Ill Coronavirus Patients

Oxford University researchers showed that dexamethasone, a widely available steroid medication, can cut coronavirus-related deaths for patients on ventilators by one-third.

This dad wanted to learn about dinosaurs, too.

The American Museum of Natural History Just Launched OLogy, an iPad App Version of Its Science Website for Kids

Kids can learn about archaeology, marine biology, and other “-ologies” through games, interactive lessons, and more.

Dogs have been trained to sniff out the new coronavirus.

7 Unusual Things That Dogs Can Detect by Smell

Dogs' sense of smell is at least 10,000 times as acute as ours, and they're being trained to sniff out a wide range of objects—from bombs to viruses.

Sir Isaac Newton Recommended an Innovative Cure for the Plague: Toad Puke

Sir Isaac Newton didn’t get the idea from a creepy old witch in the forest—he got it from a respected physician.

This dog would like to turn off Netflix's autoplay feature.

What Do Pets See When They Watch Television?

Dogs and cats can sometimes seem very intrigued by your latest binge-watch. But are they seeing what we're seeing?

Tear Gas vs. Pepper Spray: What’s the Difference?

For one thing, tear gas grenades are usually used for crowd control—pepper spray is more for personal safety.

It's Black Birders Week—Here's Why Celebrating Black Scientists and Naturalists Matters

From May 31 to June 5, follow along as Black Birders Week highlights the experiences and expertise of Black scientists and naturalists.

This corpse flower is ready for her closeup.

Barnard College’s Corpse Flower Just Bloomed for the First Time Ever—Watch It Here

The corpse flower smells similar to rotting flesh, dead fish, or Camembert cheese that’s been left out all night.

How to Brew Your Own Fluorescent Beer at Home

A former NASA biologist wants more people to dabble with genetic technology at home using his gene engineering kits.

Great white sharks used prehistoric nurseries to protect their young.

A Prehistoric Great White Shark Nursery Has Been Discovered in Chile

Baby shark, do-do-do-do-do-do. Had a nursery, do-do-do-do-do. In prehistoric times, do-do-do-do-do.

Abandoned shopping carts could be a sign of social dysfunction.

The Reason Some People Never Return Shopping Carts, According to Science

Leaving a cart abandoned in a parking lot is a social nuisance. What drives people to practice poor supermarket etiquette?

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken make their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

How to Watch SpaceX’s Historic Astronaut Launch Live

SpaceX is about to make company history when it launches its first crewed spacecraft for a mission to the International Space Station. Here are the best places to stream the event.

Work blanket? Check. Hot tea? Check. Writing gloves? Check.

Winter is Coming: Why Some People Seem to Feel Colder Than Others

If you own a work sweater and have a space heater under your desk, your individual perception of cold might differ from that of your co-workers.

26 Fascinating Facts About the Human Body

Did you know that people are the only animals with chins? Here are 26 facts about the human body you might not know.

Alexander Graham Bell

Explore the life of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the man responsible for giving us the telephone.

Penguin Poop Makes So Much Laughing Gas That Scientists Studying It Go ‘Completely Cuckoo’

When it breaks down, poop from king penguins releases nitrous oxide—a gas that affects both the environment and the scientists who study it.

NASA's Juno Probe Captures Stunning New Look at Jupiter's Swirling Atmosphere

NASA's Juno spacecraft got a close look at the mesmerizing clouds above Jupiter on two recent fly-bys.

Otters continue to baffle scientists while remaining adorable.

Fun Fact: Otters Love to Juggle, But Scientists Aren't Sure Why

The playful aquatic creatures enjoy bouncing rocks and pebbles around. Is it just for fun, or are they driven by deeper instincts?

Veganbaking.net, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientists at North Carolina State University Want to Know What Your Sourdough Starter Smells Like

Scents on North Carolina State University's aroma wheel for sourdough include tropical fruit, red wine, and fart.

Dogs are being trained to sniff out the virus.

Virus-Sniffing Dogs Could Help Detect COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients

As early as this summer, disease-sniffing dogs may be used to screen for asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus.

Smell You Later: How Comfort Smelling Can Relieve Quarantine-Related Stress

If you've been separated from a loved one during quarantine, smell a comforting scent—like a sweater they've worn—to lift your mood and relieve stress.

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