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Thank microbes for chocolate’s tasty flavors
The flavor of chocolate can vary a lot from piece to piece. Some chocolate treats may have a slight fruity tang. Others may carry hints of floral or even nutty flavors. Scientists knew that soil, rainfall and other conditions on…
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Scientists Say: Benthic
Benthic (adjective, “BEN-thik”) The word “benthic” refers to the bottom of a body of water, such as an ocean, lake or stream. The word comes from the Greek term “benthos,” which means “deep of the sea.” Ecologists contrast the benthic…
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What are vitamins?
If you were asked to choose a healthy snack, what would it be? Perhaps you’d opt for a tangy mango or cup of tart Greek yogurt topped with berries. Maybe crunchy broccoli florets with hummus comes to mind. These are…
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Parrotfish shape the future of coral reefs, one bite at a time
Like underwater cities on the floor of tropical oceans, reefs are bustling hubs of activity. Corals — relatives of sea anemones and jellyfish — are the main builders of these cities. Over time, the limestone skeletons of corals grow into…
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This ancient Siberian ice mummy had intricate tattoos
Some tattoos really age well, a new study finds. More than 2,000 years ago, a woman sat down to get inked. Afterward, she rocked some sick tattoo sleeves. Her arms were inked with intense hunting scenes: prowling leopards, lanky stags —…
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Baby pterosaurs likely died in violent Jurassic storms
The broken wings of two pterosaur hatchlings point to how hundreds of their kind may have met an untimely end. If true, this would solve a cold-case millions of years old. New analyses focused on two complete fossils of the genus…
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Ripple bugs’ frilly feet inspired a water-striding robot
If you want to walk on water, it helps to have fancy feet. A type of water strider known as a ripple bug (Rhagovelia obesa) has frilly fans on its feet. Those fans unfurl when they touch water and close…
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Horses became gentle and easy to ride thanks to two gene mutations
Horses had a huge impact on the success of many human societies. Now, scientists have found two key gene variants that helped paved the way for that equine role in human history. The pair made horses tamer and more rideable,…
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Cities across the world are sinking. Here’s how they might rebound
The streets are flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia. But people just go about their lives. Adults wade through water to work, shop and care for their families. Children splash and play in water-logged streets. This flooding isn’t caused by a storm.…
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Connections at school could limit bullying’s harm to mental health
Stronger connections at school can help limit some of the harm from bullying, new research suggests. That good news could help millions of bullied kids worldwide. Roughly one in three U.S. teens, for instance, has been targeted within the past…