Nature - Sciencing

By Elias Nash 6 hours ago

In The Early 2000s, NASA Sent Salmonella Into Space. They Didn't Expect What Happened Next.

Space has odd effects on the human body, but it also happens to affect bacteria, too. And, as NASA discovered, those changes aren't exactly promising.

A high-radiation sign in front of the fourth nuclear reactor at Chernobyl.

By Robin Oliverio 1 day ago

Scientists Say The Black Fungi Feeding On Chernobyl's Ruins Could Solve An Important Problem For Space Travel

The nuclear disaster in Chernobyl unintentionally created a very unique ecosystem -- one which made fungi just as well suited for space as they are for Earth.

Shipping vessel loaded with many cargo containers

By George Hale 6 days ago

Shipping Vessels Are Doing A Lot More To Ocean Ecosystems Than Scientists Expected

Human activity has hugely impacted wildlife, and even shipping has been passively doing harm, though the reasons likely aren't the ones you'd expect.

A chair, rug, and end table with a potted plant resting on top.

By Robin Oliverio 7 days ago

This Common Household Décor Could Have An Unexpected Effect On Your Health And Focus

How you live and what you surround yourself with can have outsized effects on your wellbeing, but some bits of décor can help more than others.

Scientists collecting seawater for testing

By Tiffany Betts 9 days ago

The Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria Outbreak That's Plaguing US Beaches

Warm summer waters have been bringing with them this dangerous bacteria, and this particular problem has only been growing as the climate changes.

Head of a black mamba, smooth with slick scales and a circular eye

By Daniel Meagher 10 days ago

Why Death By Black Mamba Venom Is One Of The Worst Ways To Die

Not all snakes are venomous, and of those that are, most aren't fatal, but the black mamba isn't on that list; it will kill you and you will suffer.

Someone hiking along the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan.

By Robin Oliverio 11 days ago

The Science Behind America's Cleanest Lake

The United States has more than 100,000 lakes, so figuring out which one of them is the cleanest takes more than guesswork; you need science.

Canyon in the ocean floor with fish swimming around

By George Hale 12 days ago

The Deepest Part Of The Ocean That Isn't The Mariana Trench

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean, but another part of the world has a different trench that's home to its own unique ecosystem.

mid section of snake milker holding vial of venom in one hand and king cobra snake in the other

By Daniel Meagher 13 days ago

This Creepy Animal Occupation Is Even Riskier Than You Think

Working with dangerous animals comes with a fair share of risk, but in the case of this rare occupation, that risk is well worth it, helping to save lives.

By George Hale 13 days ago

Scientists Say This Annoying Reflex Could Be An Evolutionary Leftover From Our Aquatic Ancestors

There's nothing you can do to control your reflexes, even the annoying ones, but scientists believe that there's an evolutionary reason for them.

A saw-scaled viper in a coil, with raised, plate-like scales and large bulbous eyes

By Daniel Meagher 14 days ago

Why Death By A Saw-Scaled Viper Is One Of The Worst Ways To Die

There are lots of unpleasant ways to die out there, but the saw-scaled viper packs a bite that could kill you in a particularly gruesome way.

A sting ray swimming alone through dark blue water with trail of bubbles

By Daniel Meagher 14 days ago

The Excruciating Science Behind Stingray Venom And Why It's So Painful

Even though wading through the surf is usually a serene experience, there could be a stingray lurking in the sand waiting to give you a dose of hurt.

A spider hiding in the funnel portion of its web.

By Robin Oliverio 16 days ago

Noise Has An Unexpected Effect On A Spider Web

Each of us is a product of our environments, including spiders which modify how they construct their webs to compensate for their sonic environment.

Man walking outdoors past an extreme heat danger sign

By Kristeen Cherney 16 days ago

Scientists Say There May Be A Link Between High BMI And Extreme Weather

Climate change is an unstoppable force of nature at this point, and worse, it might be contributing to making you fat, unfit, and unhealthy.

By Tiffany Betts 17 days ago

The Difference Between Edible Mold And Harmful Mold, Explained By Science

Finding fuzzy spots of mold on your food usually means it's unsafe to eat, but not all mold is made equal, and not all molds are actually bad for you.

By Tiffany Betts 18 days ago

Scientists Couldn't Believe That These Ants Were Giving Birth To Clones From Another Species

Ants are one of nature's most successful creatures, but scientists were shocked when they discovered one species was cloning one of their neighbors.

Hand holding a red delicious apple with PLU sticker

By Kristeen Cherney 18 days ago

You Should Think Twice Before Peeling Stickers Off Your Fruit

The stickers on your fruit serve a number of different purposes, but you're best served by not being too hasty about peeling them off. Here's the reason why.

Volcanic eruption with lots of lava and billowing smoke

By Tiffany Betts 21 days ago

Why Historians Say This Volcanic Eruption Was The Worst Of All Time

Quite a few volcanic eruptions have made it into the history books, though not all are made equal. After all, the effects of this volcano were felt worldwide.

By Elias Nash 23 days ago

Hydroelectric Dams Are Doing A Lot More To The Environment Than Scientists Expected

Even though hydroelectric dams aren't directly responsible for fossil fuel emissions, their construction and life cycle are anything but green.

A six-eyed sand spider standing on fine desert sand, large round abdomen

By Daniel Meagher 23 days ago

Why Death By A Six-Eyed Sand Spider Might Be One Of The Worst Ways To Die

Six-eyed sand spiders haven't been responsible for many recorded deaths, but their venoms still carry some rather nasty and unique potential dangers.

By Tiffany Betts 24 days ago

Orcas Obliterate A 4,000-Pound Fish In A Bizarre Phenomenon Caught On Camera

Orcas are apex predators that are well known for their highly social nature. They hunt in groups, but this particular tactic has never been seen before.