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How an Ancient Plant Became the World’s First Birth Control and Rome's Love Potion. Then Went Extinct Because of It

This medicinal plant was so coveted, it was worth its weight in gold. But this ultimately brought its downfall.

10 "Living Fossils" That Have Survived Mass Extinctions And Have Barely Changed in Millions of Years

Most creatures on Earth evolve constantly but these have hardly changed after millions of years.

Carbon fixation explained: the hidden hero of photosynthesis

A brief explainer of how plants deal with CO2.

The 2024 California Superbloom: Here's everything you need to know

In California, the 2024 Superbloom is shaping up to be a breathtaking display of wildflowers.

What is the Intertidal Zone? Where Land Meets Sea in Constant Flux

That part of the coast where sea meets land -- that's the intertidal zone. Technically.

Intelligent or intimidating? Orcas' boat attacks spark debates among marine experts

Most experts believe the behavior to be a benign fad.

The forgotten history of the black locust tree: From vital to invasive to important once more

This tree practically built early America.

Directed evolution: Tailoring proteins, enzymes, and life

How scientists harness evolution to create custom molecules.

The "Habsburg Jaw": deformity shaped by royal inbreeding

The Habsburg jaw is the unflattering legacy of powerful rulers that liked to marry in the family.

What chemicals make you happy?

Discover the science behind the happy chemicals in your brain.

What is oxytocin: unraveling the 'love hormone'

Discover how the enigmatic oxytocin, known as the love hormone, shapes human bonds.

What are endorphins: nature's happy chemicals

Discover the extraordinary world of endorphins and how they bring joy and vitality to your daily life.

Why serotonin makes you happy (or very, very sad)

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood and behavior and is associated with happiness and contentment.

Why dopamine makes you happy

Explore the power of dopamine, the "happy" chemical in the brain, and discover how it impacts our mood, motivation, and behavior.

What is Taxonomy in biology? A beginner's guide

Taxonomy is the science of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms, providing a framework for understanding the diversity of life.

Poisonous mushrooms: what you need to know

Edible mushrooms are a delight, but some can be a nightmare. Beware!

Leaf galls: How hijacking plant's hormones can get them to produce weird things

When you take a closer look at the leaves on a tree, you may notice strange growths that seem out of place. These are leaf galls.

Homologous Chromosomes: What are They For?

Homologous chromosomes can be hard to wrap your head around. Here's what they do.

Welwitschia mirabilis: A Living Fossil that's worthy of all our admiration

With the rise of the gardening craze, people have been dying to collect the rarest and most beautiful ornamental plants. Being a plant parent certainly requires dedication as some plants are fragile and need carefully maintained conditions to thrive. This is the complete opposite of Welwitschia mirabilis, a remarkably long-lived plant that is low-maintenance. It […]

Tropical plants you can grow at home: bringing the exotic into your living room

Growing some tropical plants in your home's garden or indoors is not all that hard as most people think.

6 unbelievable bacteria facts

For unicellular organisms, they are anything but boring. Here are some amazing bacteria facts to get you started.

How natural selection leads to evolution

It's one of the most revolutionary theories in science.

Jabuticaba, the grape tree: A hidden wonder of the Amazon rainforest

The Jabuticaba tree is unique for bearing fruit directly on its trunk and older branches.

Why some creatures in the deep sea get so big

It's one of nature's many curiosities.

7 potted plants that will remove indoor air pollution from your home, proven by science

Plants aren't just for show.

Titan Arum: the titan penis flower

It's big, it's smelly, it's unusual... and it's surprisingly fascinating.

The fastest growing plant in the world

It's easy to overlook duckweed, but this unassuming plant can grow incredibly fast.

What are biofilms and how do they form?

Bacteria learned there's strength in numbers. These communities are called biofilms.

The different types of plants in the world

So many different kinds!

What is osmosis: a critical principle in biology

Osmosis -- the natural movement of water into a solution through a semipermeable membrane -- is central to all of biology.

What is Mitochondrial DNA and Mitochondrial Inheritance

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother, and there's a lot we can learn starting from this basic fact.

What are ecosystems and why they're important, according to experts

They provide us with many important services.

Venom versus poison: what is the difference?

Knowing the difference between the two may be a matter of life and death!

How old is the oldest tree?

The oldest tree is between 5,000 and 80,000 years ols, depending on what you consider a 'tree'.

Free phone apps that identify plants from just a picture

It's like Shazam for plants -- you identify plants based on just taking a picture.

Why leaves change color and fall down in autumn, according to experts

When summer draws to an end and autumn creeps in, leaves start changing colors and falling from the trees. But why do the leaves fall down?

Are we in a mass extinction right now? Probably yes, researchers say

We are leaving a big mark on the planet. But there’s still time to change.

Wood Wide Web: The secret, ancient internet of plants

You'll never look at a forest the same way.

What are hormones -- everything you need to know

The term hormone comes from the ancient-Greek word for "impetus," showing the power they have to activate or inhibit the cells and organs in our body.

Meet the Corpse Flower that steals genes and produces heat to attract flies

When we think of flowers, we tend to think of nice colors, a pleasant fragrance, and maybe some green lushy leaves. But in the deep, thick forests of Southeast Asia, there’s a different type of flower: a colossal bloom, larger than any flower you’ve seen, and stinkier than anything you could imagine.   Rafflesia arnoldii is […]

Small and dangerous: 10 of the most dangerous human parasites ever discovered

Forget zombies, some parasites would love to eat your brain just for a change of taste.

What is vitamin K?

Vitamin K plays a key role in our blood’s ability to form clots. It’s one of the less glamorous vitamins, more rarely discussed than its peers and, although it’s usually referred to as a single substance, it comes in two natural varieties — K1 and K2 — and one synthetic one, K3. People typically cover […]

What are symbiotic relationships: nature's matchmaking

Symbioses are dynamic relationships in which organisms of different taxa interact with either positive or negative effects.

Test tube baby population: from 1 to a few million in less than 50 years

Thanks to test tube babies, parenthood has become more and more accessible for millions of parents around the world.

Archaea: the invisible powerhouses of the planet

Archaea are probably the most successful beings on Earth. They've been around for billions of years and can survive almost anywhere.

What is gympie-gympie: the poisonous plant whose painful sting can last for years and drive people to suicide

Its leaves pack one of the most painful stings in the world. There is no antidote.

What is DNA: the blueprint of life

Everything you need to know about the hereditary material in humans and virtually all other organisms.

You've heard about genome sequencing -- but what's exome sequencing?

It's a method that can help detect rare genetic disease.

What is asexual reproduction: nature's virgin birth

The very first life forms were likely self-reproductive. Many still are to this day.

The tallest tree in the world is higher than the Statue of Liberty

California's redwood forest has the tallest trees in the world. Let's see why.

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