Biology

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

Latest in Biology

a person scratches an itchy arm

Your skin is crawling with zombie cells–some help, some hurt Your skin is crawling with zombie cells–some help, some hurt

By Laura Baisas

Bone collector cases are carefully constructed from silk and exoskeleton parts.

‘Bone collector’ caterpillar wears the body parts of dead bugs ‘Bone collector’ caterpillar wears the body parts of dead bugs

By Lauren Leffer

an illustration of a large red ant with curved jaws. a bird looks on with a concerned expression

Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey

By Laura Baisas

four jugs of wine are painted on to the wall of ancient ruins

Cheers to Bronze Age humans for delicious Italian wine Cheers to Bronze Age humans for delicious Italian wine

By Laura Baisas

Coiled rattlesnake near flowering bush

Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms

An osprey sits on its nest protected by a human-made basket.

To protect birds and motorists, engineers build a steel nest box on bridge To protect birds and motorists, engineers build a steel nest box on bridge

By Laura Baisas

three chimpanzees sit around a round fruit sharing it

Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time

By Laura Baisas

the color spectrum

Five people view a never-before-seen color called ‘olo’ Five people view a never-before-seen color called ‘olo’

By Lauren Leffer

a sea slug in the ocean with whispy purple tendrils

Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors

By Laura Baisas

Images of Jyvaskylavirus. The virus particle is about twice the size of influenza or coronavirus. Credit: University of Jyväskylä

Finland finds its first giant virus Finland finds its first giant virus

Neurons and their branch extensions known as dendrites are featured within a mouse’s cerebral cortex.

Scientists watch how mice learn, one synapse at a time Scientists watch how mice learn, one synapse at a time

Two young gorillas, habituated to human presence, scratch the soil in search of truffles

A group of gorillas have a surprising knack for hunting truffles, researchers find A group of gorillas have a surprising knack for hunting truffles, researchers find

By Laura Baisas

An illustration of what the aurora might have looked like during a polar reversal about 41,000 years ago. The green glow of an aurora is much further south than we see it today.

Sunscreen may have kept ancient humans alive during a polar reversal Sunscreen may have kept ancient humans alive during a polar reversal

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of a small crocodile ancestor sneaking up on a small mammal ancestor

Crocodile ancestors survived two mass extinctions—here’s how Crocodile ancestors survived two mass extinctions—here’s how

By Laura Baisas

Earth's oceans seen from space

How did water end up on Earth? New evidence upends long-held theory. How did water end up on Earth? New evidence upends long-held theory.

three researchers padding a canoe on a polluted waterway under a bridge

Pollution-eating microbes are thriving in infamous NYC canal Pollution-eating microbes are thriving in infamous NYC canal

By Lauren Leffer

Close up of woman's mouth during dental exam

Lab-grown teeth could be the future of dentistry Lab-grown teeth could be the future of dentistry

two hot dogs topped with yellow mustard and sauerkraut

Put more sauerkraut on your hot dog (your gut might like it) Put more sauerkraut on your hot dog (your gut might like it)

By Laura Baisas

A “zombie ant” that has been infected by the parasitic fungus Complex Ophiocordyceps unilateralis.

Cordyceps fungus: ‘The Last of Us’ co-star thriving outside the spotlight Cordyceps fungus: ‘The Last of Us’ co-star thriving outside the spotlight

Oklahoma City USA - September 9 2015; Oklahoma City Bombing Field of Empty Chairs a sculpture in bronze and glass remembering the 168 killed in bombing in 1997

Oklahoma City bombing trauma changed the ‘actual physical being’ of survivors Oklahoma City bombing trauma changed the ‘actual physical being’ of survivors