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With Operation Popeye, the U.S. government made weather an instrument of war
Weather

With Operation Popeye, the U.S. government made weather an instrument of war

As geo-engineering projects soar, the declassified project is newly relevant.

The failed Florida overpass was supposed to be a shining example of accelerated bridge construction
Engineering

The failed Florida overpass was supposed to be a shining example of accelerated bridge construction

But catastrophic events like these are rarely as simple as the ABCs.

Planes might not be disgusting germ factories after all
Health

Planes might not be disgusting germ factories after all

Surely you can't be serious.

fishing boat surrounded by sea ice
Environment

A warmer Arctic caused icy traffic jams in seas down south

Hazardous sea ice is going farther, faster.

Stephen Hawking’s long life with ALS reminds us how little we know about the disease
Diseases

Stephen Hawking’s long life with ALS reminds us how little we know about the disease

The condition often kills patients within a few years.

Look to large bodies to understand long life spans
Health

Look to large bodies to understand long life spans

Larger animals live longer, but tiny dogs outlive big ones. What's the deal?

Stonehenge
Space

Why we still haven’t figured out what Stonehenge was for

What do we actually know about ancient astronomy?

7 creatures with skills that easily beat humans
Animals

7 creatures with skills that easily beat humans

As scientists learn about animal cognition, they can help unravel the mysteries of intelligence in humans too.

Platypus milk might save us from bacterial infections, and that’s not even the best thing about them
Evolution

Platypus milk might save us from bacterial infections, and that’s not even the best thing about them

These weird lil’ guys defy everything about how we try to categorize animals.

bogoslof
Environment

Listen to the first-ever recordings of volcanic thunder

The sounds of science.

NASA almost never came to be. Its creation is a lesson in political power.
Climate Change

NASA almost never came to be. Its creation is a lesson in political power.

The battle over America’s space program shows how to turn science into a winning issue.

They don’t make baby poop like they did in 1926, that’s for sure. Here’s why scientists care.
Nutrition

They don’t make baby poop like they did in 1926, that’s for sure. Here’s why scientists care.

Our stool is a window into the health of our guts.

Chocolate cake in a mug with a spoon
Life Skills

Add a dash of chemistry for the best microwave mug cake of your life

This single-serving dessert takes 60 seconds—and some science.

hispaniola solenodon
Evolution

These animals have nipples on their butts and that is not the most fascinating thing about them

The tiny, venomous mammal outlived the dinosaurs, but might go extinct due to extreme clumsiness.

A primer on the primal origins of humans on Earth
Evolution

A primer on the primal origins of humans on Earth

Our history is complicated. Our pre-history, even more so.

Someday, you might subscribe to a self-driving taxi service, Netflix-style
Self Driving

Someday, you might subscribe to a self-driving taxi service, Netflix-style

Type 003 Aircraft Carrier China
Military

A Chinese shipbuilder accidentally revealed its major navy plans

Nuclear submarines, giant aircraft carriers, robot warships.

Even plastic art decays, but museum curators are on the case
Environment

Even plastic art decays, but museum curators are on the case

Scientists can help them save their polymer-based collections.

Playing hockey on a sled totally changes the game
Science

Playing hockey on a sled totally changes the game

Para hockey has its own unique biomechanics.

What does brain size have to do with intelligence?
Science

What does brain size have to do with intelligence?

Very little—even if it's very big.