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The Neuroscience Behind Bad Decisions

August 23, 2016

Irrationality may be a consequence of the brain’s ravenous energy needs.

Jammed Cells Expose the Physics of Cancer

August 16, 2016

The subtle mechanics of densely packed cells may help explain why some cancerous tumors stay put while others break off and spread through the body.

How to Grow a New Model Organism

July 27, 2016

To develop new model organisms, scientists will have to find species that are easy to grow in the lab.

Biologists Search for New Model Organisms

July 26, 2016

The bulk of biological research is centered on a handful of species. Are we missing a huge chunk of interesting biology?

Faster Evolution on a Warmer Earth

July 12, 2016

When life first emerged roughly 4 billion years ago, DNA may have been a much more malleable molecule.

A Bird’s-Eye View of Nature’s Hidden Order

July 12, 2016

Scientists are exploring a mysterious pattern, found in birds’ eyes, boxes of marbles and other surprising places, that is neither regular nor random.

Hope That an Old Drug Might Treat Zika

July 11, 2016

Scientists are having a difficult time finding a treatment for the Zika virus in part because so few drugs are safe for pregnant women. But one antibiotic has shown promise.

New Insights Into How Zika Harms the Brain

July 7, 2016

Researchers are racing to understand how the Zika virus causes birth defects. Their first results have revealed tantalizing clues about how the virus interferes with the developing brain — and how it might be stopped.

New Lizard Shows Evolution’s Predictability

June 29, 2016

A newly discovered anole on the island of Hispaniola confirms that the buildup of ecological communities can follow predictable patterns.

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