Basic Research

Are commercial honeybees making wild bees sick?

By Berly McCoy

Everyone wants to save the bees, but we may be saving them to death.

To fight the next major pandemic, flu hunters turn to these animals

By Nsikan Akpan

It takes 600,000 chicken eggs a day to supply the seasonal flu vaccine. That's just one of many ways that animals help fight the next pandemic.

A ‘dead zone’ the size of Massachusetts could hit the Gulf this summer

By Nsikan Akpan

Here is what a "dead zone" the size of Massachusetts could mean for the Gulf of Mexico and seafood prices.

How a snail’s shell gets its twist

By Vicky Stein

Gene-editing with CRISPR reveals why snail shells are asymmetrical and coil either left or right.

How biodegradable plastic bags don’t live up to their name

By Vicky Stein

Three years in the ocean wasn’t enough to break down a "biodegradable" bag.

How these water fleas could save your water quality — and your life

By Vicky Stein

On this Earth Day 2019, we celebrate water fleas and ecologist Meghan Duffy. Duffy studies how these water fleas maintain healthy waterways and fight deadly diseases.

Coverage of mass killings is bad for mental health — yet makes people seek more

By Nsikan Akpan

Consuming media coverage of mass killings, whether via news or social media, creates a self-perpetuating cycle of mental distress, according to a new study.

How Scott Kelly’s year in space changed his poop

By Vicky Stein

The much-anticipated NASA Twins Study was released Thursday, more than three years since astronaut Scott Kelly returned from the International Space Station.

WATCH: What does a black hole look like? Scientists reveal the first picture

By Nsikan Akpan

The Event Horizon Telescope is expected to release the first image of a black hole on Wednesday. In preparation for what might be a momentous day, here’s what you need to know.