Life sciences writer Susan Milius has been writing about botany, zoology and ecology for Science News since the last millennium. She worked at diverse publications before breaking into science writing and editing. After stints on the staffs of The Scientist, Science, International Wildlife and United Press International, she joined Science News. Three of Susan's articles have been selected to appear in editions of The Best American Science Writing.

All Stories by Susan Milius

  1. Life

    Bacterial neighbors get mean

    Strains of the same species growing just meters apart can do a lot of damage to each other — and to themselves.

  2. Life

    Human noise may distract animals

    When boats roar, hermit crabs slip up and let predators get extra close

  3. Earth

    Florida’s big chill may have hammered corals near shore

    January cold snap caused rare wintertime coral bleaching and die-offs for Florida’s coral reefs.

  4. Life

    For pipefish, measly Mr. Mom needs help

    In species with pregnant males, females may put something extra into eggs.

  5. Life

    Soybean genome turns out to be soysoybeanbean

    The plant's newly sequenced genetic blueprint includes a surprising number of spare copies.

  6. Life

    Sea slug steals genes for greens, makes chlorophyll like a plant

    A sea slug, long known as a kidnapper of algal biochemistry, can make its own supply of a key photosynthetic compound.

  7. Milius versus the bed bugs

    Science News writer Susan Milius experiences the perils of knowing what bed bug scientists do in their own hotel rooms.

  8. Life

    Moss counters shortness with A-bomb-style clouds

    Sphagnum overcomes drag by launching its spores in vortex rings.

  9. Climate

    Warming has already boosted insect breeding

    Museum records, publications suggest extra generations at same time as temperature increases

  10. Life

    Sexual conflict takes shape in ducks

    Up-close view of male ducks reveals extreme speed and extreme conflict.

  11. Life

    Do-it-yourself bed-bug detector

    With bed-bug numbers on the rise in North America, researchers test homemade bug finders.

  12. Life

    Virus makes plants lie to insects

    Infected squash plants smell delicious but taste terrible – perfect combination for tricking aphids into spreading disease