Biology

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

Latest in Biology

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

By Tom Hawking, Laura Baisas

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

Close up of cane toad tadpole eating toad eggs underwater

Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species

Researchers conducting necropsy on woolly mammoth calf

Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’ Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’

When you were conceived could impact your weight When you were conceived could impact your weight

By Lauren Leffer

three men work on planting a tree

A tree with 40 different fruits planted in Philadelphia A tree with 40 different fruits planted in Philadelphia

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of several mouths talking

How to talk for a very, very long time How to talk for a very, very long time

By Laura Baisas

An illustration showing how the brain and gut are connected.

The brain remembers what gave you food poisoning The brain remembers what gave you food poisoning

By Laura Baisas

an adult eagle tends to two chicks on a nest

Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo

By Laura Baisas

Green ocean island water against blue sky with mountains in distance

Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say

one brown horse and one black horse run along green fields in iceland

Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes

By Lauren Leffer