Biology(Page 14)

A guide to life, on Earth and beyond, including the top news about plants, animals, and physiology.

Latest in Biology

half of a circle with concentric rings of brown, gold, and amber radiating outwards

Science

These sophisticated bacteria communities assemble in tie-dye formation These sophisticated bacteria communities assemble in tie-dye formation

By Maggie Galloway

E. coli bacteria on a green background to show germ theory vs. terrain theory

Health

This pseudoscience movement wants to wipe germs from existence This pseudoscience movement wants to wipe germs from existence

By Isobel Whitcomb

Asteroid that killed the dinosaurs striking Earth. Illustration.

Science

If that asteroid had been 30 seconds late, dinosaurs might rule the world and humans probably wouldn’t exist If that asteroid had been 30 seconds late, dinosaurs might rule the world and humans probably wouldn’t exist

By Sara Chodosh

an illustration of a marine reptile

Science

These ancient marine reptiles got very big, very fast These ancient marine reptiles got very big, very fast

By Kate Baggaley

a color illustration of a brown and white bird in a lush forest

Science

This 120-million-year-old bird could stick out its tongue This 120-million-year-old bird could stick out its tongue

By Kate Baggaley

Science

Fish sounds tell us about underwater reefs—but we need better tech to really listen Fish sounds tell us about underwater reefs—but we need better tech to really listen

By Charlotte Hu

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a ‘raft of life’ for animals in the open ocean

Science

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a ‘raft of life’ for animals in the open ocean The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a ‘raft of life’ for animals in the open ocean

By Kate Baggaley

Red, yellow, and black cartoon character depicting overeating during the holidays and specifically Thanksgiving

Health

The extreme consequences of stuffing yourselves during the holidays The extreme consequences of stuffing yourselves during the holidays

By Christina Agapakis

A young harbor seal looking at the camera

Science

Baby seals sing bass notes when they want attention Baby seals sing bass notes when they want attention

By Philip Kiefer

Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar curled up in a black and orange ball

Science

Inflatable tentacles and silk hats: See how caterpillars trick predators to survive Inflatable tentacles and silk hats: See how caterpillars trick predators to survive

By Erin Fennessy

an illustration of two human ancestors in africa

Science

Is it time to change the way we talk about human evolution? Is it time to change the way we talk about human evolution?

By Kate Baggaley

Scientists discovered an extremely rare tardigrade fossil trapped in Dominican amber

Science

Scientists discovered an extremely rare tardigrade fossil trapped in Dominican amber Scientists discovered an extremely rare tardigrade fossil trapped in Dominican amber

Researchers are using gassy, explosive bacteria to destroy cancer cells

Science

Researchers are using gassy, explosive bacteria to destroy cancer cells Researchers are using gassy, explosive bacteria to destroy cancer cells

Night owls can become early birds. Here’s how.

Health

Night owls can become early birds. Here’s how. Night owls can become early birds. Here’s how.

By Isobel Whitcomb

These female hummingbirds don flashy male feathers to avoid unwanted harassment

Science

These female hummingbirds don flashy male feathers to avoid unwanted harassment These female hummingbirds don flashy male feathers to avoid unwanted harassment

Science

Here’s how hagfish slime gets 10,000 times bigger in 0.4 seconds Here’s how hagfish slime gets 10,000 times bigger in 0.4 seconds

By Sara Chodosh

tetrapod fossil

Science

Our four-legged ancestors evolved from sea to land astonishingly quickly Our four-legged ancestors evolved from sea to land astonishingly quickly

By Philip Kiefer

Salty ridged potato chips on yellow background

Health

What happens if you eat too much salt? What happens if you eat too much salt?

By Alexandra Ossola

Both bats and humans test out talking as infants

Environment

Both bats and humans test out talking as infants Both bats and humans test out talking as infants

The weirdest things we learned this week: Falcon sex hats and buying human skulls on Instagram

Science

The weirdest things we learned this week: Falcon sex hats and buying human skulls on Instagram The weirdest things we learned this week: Falcon sex hats and buying human skulls on Instagram

By Rachel Feltman

Scientists genetically engineered prehistoric proteins to detect diseases

Science

Scientists genetically engineered prehistoric proteins to detect diseases Scientists genetically engineered prehistoric proteins to detect diseases

an illustration of a melting planet earth covered in lush trees and leaves

Environment

An ancient era of global warming could hint at our scorching future An ancient era of global warming could hint at our scorching future

Soldier termites marching

Science

These photos are proof that evolution is wild and wondrous These photos are proof that evolution is wild and wondrous

By Popular Science Team

a colorful illustration of long-tailed gray rodents carrying assorted objects such as buttons, bones, bugs, and flowers

Science

What’s in a packrat’s petrified pee? Just a few thousand years of secrets. What’s in a packrat’s petrified pee? Just a few thousand years of secrets.

By Jason Bittel

We have now seen our sense of smell in action

Science

We have now seen our sense of smell in action We have now seen our sense of smell in action

By Philip Kiefer

an adult giraffe stands in the grass with a young giraffe

Science

Giraffe grandmas help keep herds going Giraffe grandmas help keep herds going

Mother and baby killer whale swimming in ocean with mountains in the background.

Environment

These killer whales go through menopause These killer whales go through menopause

Science

Your Nose Is Bad At Warming Air Your Nose Is Bad At Warming Air

By Alexandra Ossola

corn cob blue background

Science

The bizarre botany that makes corn a fruit, a grain, and also (kind of) a vegetable The bizarre botany that makes corn a fruit, a grain, and also (kind of) a vegetable

By Sara Chodosh

Elizabeth Kolbert On The Vanishing Of Species

Science

Elizabeth Kolbert On The Vanishing Of Species Elizabeth Kolbert On The Vanishing Of Species

What the heck is a species anyway?

Environment

What the heck is a species anyway? What the heck is a species anyway?

By Sara Chodosh

Bacterial zoo in a bottle

DIY

Grow A Bacterial Zoo In A Bottle Grow A Bacterial Zoo In A Bottle

A 3-D rendering of a human-like skull faces forward against a black background. The skull is a tan color and has a pronounced brow ridge, large nose cavity, and square-ish eye sockets. The lower jaw is absent.

Science

The debate over ‘Dragon Man’ shows that human origins are still kind of messy The debate over ‘Dragon Man’ shows that human origins are still kind of messy

By Lauren Leffer

A close-up of juvenile Hawaiian bobtail squid.

Science

Dozens of baby squid are orbiting our planet right now Dozens of baby squid are orbiting our planet right now

Microbes Will Be Essential For Human Survival On Mars

Science

Microbes Will Be Essential For Human Survival On Mars Microbes Will Be Essential For Human Survival On Mars

By Kate Baggaley

A furry looking, ground-hog like creature climbs onto a rock from the forest floor surrounded by leaf litter and tree saplings at night.

Science

Elephants can add a cuddly new cousin to their family tree Elephants can add a cuddly new cousin to their family tree

By Lauren Leffer

Two scientists dig with a shovel.

Science

These 142-year-old seeds sprouted after spending more than a century underground These 142-year-old seeds sprouted after spending more than a century underground

A person wearing a baseball cap and tan jacket holds a pair of green, silver, and yellow pruning shears up to a tree branch, read to cut.

Science

Humans have become the biggest selection force in evolution Humans have become the biggest selection force in evolution

By Lauren Leffer

Frozen Siberian microbes just woke up from a 24,000-year nap—and immediately got busy

Environment

Frozen Siberian microbes just woke up from a 24,000-year nap—and immediately got busy Frozen Siberian microbes just woke up from a 24,000-year nap—and immediately got busy

By Ellie Shechet

How Ancient Human-Like “Hobbits” Got So Small

Science

How Ancient Human-Like “Hobbits” Got So Small How Ancient Human-Like “Hobbits” Got So Small

By Grennan Milliken

Iceman’s Stomach Bug Gives Clues To Humans’ Spread Into Europe

Science

Iceman’s Stomach Bug Gives Clues To Humans’ Spread Into Europe Iceman’s Stomach Bug Gives Clues To Humans’ Spread Into Europe

By Grennan Milliken

The First Dogs May Have Been Domesticated In Central Asia

Science

The First Dogs May Have Been Domesticated In Central Asia The First Dogs May Have Been Domesticated In Central Asia

By Grennan Milliken

A Brown hen sits on a nest of straw and one brown egg in a particle board compartment. A white egg sits nearby.

Environment

Even from inside their shells and wombs, embryos are listening Even from inside their shells and wombs, embryos are listening

By Lauren Leffer

A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin?

Science

A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin? A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin?

The Mars Jezero crater

Science

Life could be hiding deep under Mars Life could be hiding deep under Mars

By Leto Sapunar

Important Scientific Mystery Solved: How Birds Lose Their Penises

Science

Important Scientific Mystery Solved: How Birds Lose Their Penises Important Scientific Mystery Solved: How Birds Lose Their Penises

By Lindsey Kratochwill

A Garibaldi fish swims through a California kelp forest.

Environment

These newly discovered sea sponges were hiding in plain sight in California’s kelp forests These newly discovered sea sponges were hiding in plain sight in California’s kelp forests

Highlights from the Biodesign Challenge Summit

Science

Highlights from the Biodesign Challenge Summit Highlights from the Biodesign Challenge Summit

By Daniel Grushkin

A tangle of macaque monkeys.

Environment

Laughter is a key part of play for many animals Laughter is a key part of play for many animals

A trio of giraffes from the necks up against a cloudy sky backdrop.

Science

Ask Us Anything: Why do humans stop growing? Ask Us Anything: Why do humans stop growing?

By Claire Maldarelli, Jessica Boddy

Science

Scientists Rank World’s Most ‘Evolutionarily Distinct’ Birds Scientists Rank World’s Most ‘Evolutionarily Distinct’ Birds

Science

Millennium- old poop reveals the surprising diversity of our ancestors’ microbiomes Millennium- old poop reveals the surprising diversity of our ancestors’ microbiomes

Sharks have a sixth sense for navigating the seas

Environment

Sharks have a sixth sense for navigating the seas Sharks have a sixth sense for navigating the seas

By Ellie Shechet

an illustrated man with a magnifying glass held up to his eye

Science

Ask Us Anything: Why can’t we see more colors? Ask Us Anything: Why can’t we see more colors?

By Claire Maldarelli, Jessica Boddy

Wheat farm and blue sky

Environment

Understanding plant biological clocks could boost future agriculture Understanding plant biological clocks could boost future agriculture

By Sara Kiley Watson

wasp eating bug

Environment

Wasps are the bee’s knees Wasps are the bee’s knees

By Philip Kiefer

Environment

High temperatures can cause embryonic bearded dragons to change sex High temperatures can cause embryonic bearded dragons to change sex

An ant on a bright green leaf.

Environment

In the battle for the crown, Indian jumping ants shrink and regrow their brains In the battle for the crown, Indian jumping ants shrink and regrow their brains

An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

Science

An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

By Popular Science Team

A primer to the primal origins of humans on Earth

Science

A primer to the primal origins of humans on Earth A primer to the primal origins of humans on Earth

By Mary Beth Griggs

Why Can Humans See In Color?

Science

Why Can Humans See In Color? Why Can Humans See In Color?

By Alexandra Ossola

illustration of hatchling lamprey

Science

These fossilized lamprey hatchlings disprove an age-old evolutionary theory These fossilized lamprey hatchlings disprove an age-old evolutionary theory

By Philip Kiefer

Environment

Treefrogs have noise-cancelling headphones built into their ears Treefrogs have noise-cancelling headphones built into their ears

PXLR, Perseverance Mars rover camera instrument

Science

Perseverance’s giant ‘hand lens’ will scour Mars for signs of ancient life Perseverance’s giant ‘hand lens’ will scour Mars for signs of ancient life

By Charlie Wood