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

    Shoot-out superhero claws

    Hidden spurs cut through frog’s own skin to rip attackers.

  2. Animals

    How they shine

    Iridescence could be pretty meaningful—or maybe just pretty.

  3. Climate

    Ocean reflux

    Upwelling off Californian coast offers taste of predicted ocean acidification.

  4. Animals

    Courting both ways

    Some extra dopamine, and male fruit flies like boys too.

  5. Life

    These colors don’t run

    A chameleon employs different color-changing defenses depending on its predator.

  6. Animals

    Polar bears listed

    Polar bear declared "threatened," but Secretary limits decision's impact.

  7. Life

    Just ain’t natural

    Monster data crunch strengthens case that climate is disrupted.

  8. Life

    Good night, Sloth

    First EEG of free-roaming animals finds less sleeping in the real world.

  9. Life

    Risky nests

    Invasive species misleads birds picking a home.

  10. Life

    Brittle arms lose muscle

    In lab simulations of future ocean conditions, brittle stars grow extra-calcified but puny arms.

  11. Trouble with truffles

    A Chinese truffle species has invaded Italy, raising fears that the newcomer could overgrow the Italian black truffle on its home territory.

  12. Animals

    Twee Twee Tweetle

    Bird brains have a separate pathway for the babbling nonsense of baby talk.