No matter how far humans go, there’s always another frontier beyond the last one. Find out what quests NASA scientists have in store for the future, and why.
Tag Archives: Science & Nature
13 Scariest Freshwater Animals
Some of these scary animals you’ll know – such as the piranha, the eel, and the crocodile. Read about these and other predators, where they live, and what they feast on.
Can dogs understand what we say?
Dogs on TV shows and in movies seem to be able to understand their owners’ every word. Many dogs can be trained to respond to commands. Find out what dogs can learn from their owners.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes in Marathon des Sables record bid
Renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is to complete the “toughest footrace on Earth” – the Marathon des Sables in Morocco.
How your brain sees the world, according to Kepler
A new book looks at a pivotal moment in scientific history that changed the way we understood sight and perception.
Chimps Display a Hallmark of Human Behavior: Cooperation
Strong interpersonal connections aren’t only for humans. Learn more about the traits we share with our close genetic cousins, chimpanzees.
‘Wild’ film prompts surge in interest in Pacific Crest Trail
In the film Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir and starring Reese Witherspoon, a woman rediscovers herself as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone. It has inspired others to attempt the journey.
Overview
Every astronaut learns a great deal about the Earth and its place in the cosmos before going into space. But once they see the Earth from space, everything changes. Watch this short film to learn why.
The Animal Self
Like humans, animals have distinct personalities. This article by Charles Siebert details research into patterns of behavior exhibited by individuals in a wide variety of animal species.
Feeling powerless increases the weight of the world . . . literally
A sense of powerlessness may make you feel unhappy, but it also has documented physical effects. Here are the results of a study that shows one way a feeling of powerlessness affects your perception of the world in a measurable way.
What Really Scares People: Top 10 Phobias
The movie character Indiana Jones feared snakes, other people are afraid of small spaces such as elevators, while many sweat over tests. Find out what things cause extreme fear, or phobias, in some people.
Local girl collects shoes, makes a world of difference
Teen Emma Rider is on a quest to bring clean water to developing countries. To reach this goal, she has been collecting shoes, new and used, for her project, Quenching Souls. Read about the work she put into her project to help people around the world.
Ocean Life
Discover a treasure trove of information about life in the ocean.
Personality Matters More Than Intelligence at School
An Australian psychologist conducted a study on how personality and academic performance are linked and found some surprising answers.
Dogs Recognize Familiar Faces from Images
Most scientists once thought that only humans and primates had the ability to recognize familiar faces. However, a recent study shows that dogs also have that ability. Read the article to find out more.
Bat Echo
Many bats use echolocation to find food. To attract nectar-drinking bats, some tropical flowers reflect sound. Find out how this partnership benefits both bats and flowers.
Fire in Nature
Is a forest fire ever a good thing? Fire can be “Nature’s housekeeper,” by killing insects and causing the rebirth of forests. Use the interactive map to discover how natural and prescribed fires in various areas of the U.S. can help, rather than be disasters.
The science of stage fright (and how to overcome it)
Afraid of giving speeches? If so, you’re not alone. Watch this video about how the fear of speaking in public affects the body, and how to trick your brain so that your body stays calm.
Students immersed in Chinese culture
Watch a video about a group of American students on a cultural exchange in China. Immersing themselves in the culture, these students will spend a year in China learning Mandarin and living with locals.
Photographing on Top of the World
Joe McNally takes photographs in hard-to-reach and risky places. Recently, he made it to the top of the world’s tallest building in Dubai to take a photo of the view. Read about it, and watch a video of how he did it, here.