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. Math

    Chicks do arithmetic

    Using the natural inclination of young chickens to cluster in large groups, researchers show that the birds are hatched with a numerical sense.

  2. Life

    Wild herring prove fast organizers

    Recent technology helps researchers find out how a bunch of fish turn into a shoal.

  3. Animals

    It’s not just his croak

    Male tree frogs with redder vocal sacs prove more popular with females, even at night.

  4. Ecosystems

    Too much intermingling puts native trout in trouble

    Even a small amount of hybridizing may cause problems for the native westslope cutthroat trout.

  5. Animals

    Public tantrums defeat monkey moms too

    Rhesus macaque moms are more likely to give in to screaming babies when bystanders are watching and reacting

  6. Ecosystems

    Fish shrinkage reversible, but better hurry

    In an experiment, scientists show that, although it takes generations, fish can rebound from evolutionary pressures created by selective harvesting, which has pushed some populations to become small and slow-growing.

  7. Animals

    Climate change discourages second families

    Birds out of sync with local baby food supply of caterpillars aren’t nesting a second time.

  8. Plants

    Animals’ jaundice pigment found in plants

    Bilirubin, a compound well known in animals, gives seed fuzz its intense orange.

  9. Ecosystems

    Marine census: Surprising number of creatures bipolar

    Census of Marine Life offers a preview of massive international census gives fuller count, shows some sea species at both poles.

  10. Climate

    Winter birds shift north

    More than 170 common North American species are wintering farther north than they did in the past.

  11. Life

    Caterpillar noise tricks ants into service

    Sneaky interlopers mimic the “voice” of an ant queen to get royal treatment from the colony. (Audio included.)

  12. Life

    Nemo could get lost again as seawater approaches acidity

    Reef fish raised at a seawater pH expected for the year 2100 don't smell their way around normally.