Biology

Breakthroughs in synthetic biology could create mirror versions of natural molecules, with devastating consequences for life on Earth

The way scientists recognize one another’s work overlooks the seminal contributions of Black scientists. The Nobel Committees need to recognize how this excludes Black scientists from awards

Animals were able to see colors long before species developed the riot of colors that enlivens our world today

Why do some Labrador retrievers overeat? Do cats and dogs dream like humans do? Is your cat actually obsessed with you? In 2024 we got answers to these and other questions about our beloved furry friends

From morphing beluga noggins to birds that practice singing in their sleep, science produced plenty of adorable findings this year

Orcas off the coast of Washington State are balancing dead fish on their head like it’s the 1980s, but researchers still aren’t sure why they do it

Female chimps who migrate to new social groups bring skills and technology with them, helping to drive development of increasingly complex tool sets

The 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor known as Lucy sparked a revolution in scientists’ understanding of the origins of clever hands and stone tools

Despite investigative genetic genealogy revolutionizing cold case investigations, it has been underused to free the wrongly convicted

Anglerfish have invisible fangs, narwhal tusks are extra-long canines, and more facts from the weird and wonderful study of teeth will astound you

A genetic mutation makes some cats’ tail curl over their back, giving them something akin to an accent when they communicate with other kitties

The multiverse offers no escape from our reality—which might be a very good thing