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Barbuda, the upper island, was turned a dark brown by Hurricane Irma. Antigua, below, was spared by the center of the storm.
science

Hurricane Irma Has Left the Caribbean Brown and Barren

Winds up to 185 miles per hour stripped trees bare, but the vegetation will gradually return.
Kelsey Kennedy September 19, 2017
Macaques use stone tools to crack open shellfish.
monkeys

We're Not the Only Primate With Unsustainable Eating Habits

Monkeys using tools in Thailand might be driving their prey to extinction.
Kelsey Kennedy September 18, 2017
NIST kilogram masses characteristic of the National Prototype Standard
Gaithersburg, Maryland

U.S. National Prototype Kilogram

This golfball sized platinum iridium cylinder is the official starting point for all national weight calibrations
Smoke traveling across both the United States and the Atlantic Ocean to France.
science

Smoke From North American Wildfires Made It All the Way to France

"It’s going to take a while for everything to dissipate."
Kelsey Kennedy September 15, 2017
science

The Secret Blue Ice Cloud in Every Champagne Bottle

Cheers to high-speed cameras.
Natasha Frost September 15, 2017
<em>Mariner 9</em>, which is still in orbit around Mars—for now.
science

A Short History of Epically Destroying Spacecraft in the Name of Science

Cassini isn't the first space probe to go out in a blaze of glory—and it won't be the last.
Kelsey Kennedy September 15, 2017
science

Echolocation and Its Discontents

In a world increasingly shaped by humans, having an extra sense can sometimes do more harm than good.
Cara Giaimo September 14, 2017
The rare snow leopard is no longer listed as "endangered."
science

Snow Leopards Are Finally No Longer Listed as Endangered

Conservation efforts and correcting an estimation error mean the elusive cats are now considered vulnerable.
Kelsey Kennedy September 14, 2017
<em>Reading is Obligatory to Man</em>, a 1920 propaganda poster.
science

The 1922 Poem That Linked the Russian Revolution to Cryonics

One group of anarchist artists planned on being around a long, long time.
Ashawnta Jackson September 14, 2017
The Bakhshali manuscript.
science

Found: The Oldest Example of the Symbol for 'Zero'

A manuscript full of nothings dates back to the 3rd or 4th century.
Sarah Laskow September 14, 2017
Hurricane Rita, in full force.
science

Why We Can't Stop Hurricanes and All the Ways We've Tried

The strange, true history of human beings bringing the fight to tropical storms.
Eric Grundhauser September 13, 2017
Squirrels store thousands of nuts every year. They need a system.
science

Squirrels Organize Their Nuts to Make Them Easier to Remember

Mixed nuts are for amateurs.
Kelsey Kennedy September 13, 2017
Female elephants, who usually travel with calves, are far more likely to adopt a new, risk-averse behavior.
science

When Under Threat From Poaching, Elephants Change Their Travel Habits

An amazing adaptation with a sad cause.
Natasha Frost September 13, 2017
Egg-like rocks in China.
cliffs

What's Causing These Egg-Shaped Rocks to Form on a Cliff in China?

Locals collect them for good luck.
Sarah Laskow September 13, 2017
science

Behold a Flame's Mesmerizing Ionic Wind

Fire scientists can now create 3D images of the behavior of flames in certain conditions.
Kelsey Kennedy September 12, 2017
Some of these ants are working together. Others may just be watching.
science

So-Called Lazy Ants Are Good for Something, After All

Even shirkers have a place in the colony.
Natasha Frost September 11, 2017
House mice are actually quite musical.
science

Scientists Have a New Way to Listen to the Songs of Mice

The little rodents make a lot of noise, mostly out of the range of human hearing.
Kelsey Kennedy September 8, 2017
Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two.
science

Ancient Purple Scroll Stains Turn Out to Be Caused by Marine Microbes

A mystery from the Vatican Secret Archives, solved.
Eric Grundhauser September 7, 2017