Arctic Camels
Camels seem perfectly suited to life in the desert, but they may have evolved those traits in the high Arctic.
Sled Dog Endurance
Champions of endurance, sled dogs can run for over a thousand miles without fatigue.
Plant Drug Factories
Stressing out plant cells can coax them into revealing medically-useful chemistry.
Trillions of Insects
No other creatures match insects when it comes to sheer numbers of migrating animals.
Reindeer Clocks
Most mammals have internal clocks that regulate their daily cycles, but not reindeer.
Reindeer Vision
Reindeer can detect ultraviolet light, which may help them survive dark Arctic winters.
The Sociable Brain
Do social butterflies and wallflowers have different brain structures?
Deep Diamonds
The world’s biggest diamonds are helping scientists uncover the secrets of earth’s deep mantle.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles
In a race against time, scientists attempt to stop an insect invader by using its own sounds.
Designer Cement
What microscopic crystalline shapes yield the strongest, most durable cement?
Carbon Monoxide Antidote
Researchers develop the first fast-acting antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Pollution-Tolerant Fish
The Atlantic killifish has evolved the ability to survive in toxic waters.
The Brain on Time
The brain chemical dopamine may regulate our perception of how fast time passes.
Sitting Close to the TV
A Science Update listener asks if sitting too close to the television can hurt your eyes.
Physics of Tomorrow
In a special issue of Physics Today, scientists speculate about the physics of the 22nd century.
Binge Drinking Teens
Could teenage binge drinking have effects on the next generation, even if they’re never exposed to alcohol?
Supercharged Carbon Fixing
Scientists demonstrate a new process for harvesting and utilizing carbon dioxide.
Artificial Dog Nose
Researchers reverse engineer one of nature’s greatest sniffers.
24-Hour Colds
Why you sometimes feel a cold coming on, only to have the symptoms disappear the very next day.
Similar Snowflakes
A listener asks: Why do snowflakes appear so similar to each other?
Star Distance
Astronomers calculate the distance to the furthest stars by comparing them to stars they know.