Feature

Paleontology

Back from the Dead?

The long-term disappearance of creatures from the fossil record and their later reemergence can provide insights into ancient environmental conditions and the trustworthiness of the fossil record itself.

Ecosystems

Tortoise Genes and Island Beings

Geneticists and conservation biologists are joining forces to untangle the evolutionary history of giant Galápagos tortoises and to safeguard the animals' future.

Health & Medicine

Mother Knows All

Fragments of a fetus' genetic material that leak into a pregnant woman's bloodstream reveal details of early fetal development.

Astronomy

Gammas from Heaven

An orbiting gamma-ray observatory, set for launch next spring, will seek out the most violent events in the cosmos.

Anthropology

Fossil Sparks

Two new fossil discoveries and an analysis of ancient teeth challenge traditional assumptions about ape and human evolution.

Earth

The Big Dry

Parts of Australia have suffered from severe drought for more than a decade, and people, vegetation, and animals are feeling the heat.

Tech

Virtual Worlds, Real Science

Epidemiologists and social scientists are tapping into virtual online worlds inhabited by millions to collect data with real-world uses.

Earth

Invasive, Indeed

Some people may live lightly on the land, but the demands of the world's population as a whole consume nearly a quarter of Earth's total biological productivity.

Tech

Disappearing Ink

Coming to your tattoo parlor soon: New inks that allow clients to have their designs cleanly erased if embarrassment or regret sets in.

Plants

Stalking the Green Meat Eaters

Pitcher plants in a New England bog hold little ecosystems in their leaves, and also act as indicators of the bog's ecological health.