BIOLOGY

‘Why, yes, I am from Long Island! How did you know?’

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

Sea Pigs, Sea Spiders, and More Bizarre Creatures Collected Off Antarctica

Researchers witness strange sea animals, including poisonous sea pigs and hand-sized sea spiders, while sailing to the Denman Glacier.

See the first colossal squid ever caught on camera

Rare Video Shows a Colossal Squid Swimming in the Deep Ocean

A baby colossal squid was filmed deep in the South Atlantic—revealing rare footage of the ocean’s heaviest invertebrate.

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.

History in the Making! Critically Endangered Galapagos Tortoises Hatch at Philadelphia Zoo!

97-Year-Old Galápagos Tortoise Breaks Record as First-Time Mom

A nearly century-old Galápagos tortoise welcomed four babies recently, boosting a critically endangered population.

Can We Have Babies in Space?

If humans ever become a multi-planet species, some would have to spend years in space. And researchers have definitely speculated whether space travel would allow for reproduction.

The Chimborazo hillstar is native to the Andes of Ecuador and southern Colombia.

Hummingbirds Found Nesting Together in Groups in Surprising First

An ornithologist discovered a hummingbird “hive” in Ecuador‘s High Andes—a major departure for the solitary animals.

A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

11 Fit Facts About the Heart

Technically, your heart isn’t made of gold. And don't wear it in on your sleeve—you’ll make a mess. Here are 11 scientific facts about your ticker.

Mantis Shrimp Remain Unharmed While Dealing Deadly Punches, Study Shows

Mantis shrimp can deal incredible blows without damaging themselves, but how? The makeup of their armor is key.

7 Vital Facts About Blood

George Washington died after his physician treated his sore throat with bloodletting, but don't let that stop you from learning more about the human circulatory system.

How Do Octopuses Poop?

The funnel they use to get around serves a dual purpose.

Newly metamorphosed Darwin’s froglet at London Zoo.

London Zoo Welcomes 33 Endangered Froglets That Emerged From Their Fathers’ Mouths

The Southern Darwin’s frog is unique in the amphibian world, and conservationists are racing to save it from extinction.

A detail of a copy of Michelangelo’s ‘David’

12 Facts About the Penis

The male sexual organ is more complicated than it might seem.

Study Reveals How Some Corals ‘Walk’ Across the Sea Floor

Witness a mushroom coral on the move.

Watch a Mushroom Play a Keyboard Through Electronic Sensors

Discover how Bionic and the Wires are turning fungi into electronic musicians.

Red hair and freckles are two traits partially determined by genes.

13 Facts About Genes

Humans are now known to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, but researchers still have much to learn about these small segments of DNA.

The corpse flower‘s name comes from its nasty smell.

Tune Into a Livestream of a Blooming Corpse Flower in Sydney

Catch the blooming of Sydney‘s corpse flower without being exposed to its infamous odor.

Certain smells become less pungent in cold air.

What’s Really Happening When You “Smell” Snow?

The sensation is real, but it doesn't have to do with odor.

Your lungs expel carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor every time you exhale.

11 Facts About the Lungs

Taking in oxygen to power your whole body is just one part of your lung function. Altogether, your lungs are a highly efficient machine—and they do a lot more than you might think.

MRSA bacteria bound to a neutrophil, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell.

What Is Antibiotic Resistance?

Public health officials are concerned that we could move back into a situation like that of the early 20th century, before antibiotics were discovered.

13 Enlightening Facts About Body Fat

Body fat is not just something to get rid of. It plays important roles in the human body, from regulating metabolism to storing energy.

Velvet ants aren‘t actually ants. They‘re fluffy wasps.

‘Ultra-black‘ Velvet Ant Reflects Less Than 1 Percent of Light

Meet the insect with an exoskeleton so dark it absorbs almost all light.

Absolutely the last thing you want to see in your hotel room.

Study Identifies Genetic Mutations That Make Bed Bugs Hard to Kill

The bloodsucking hitchhikers have good reason to scoff at insecticides—they’re freakishly resistant to them.

12 Foundational Facts About the Liver

Not only is the liver your largest internal organ; it is in charge of hundreds of bodily processes ranging from fighting infection to manufacturing proteins and hormones to helping your blood clot.