Features on ZME Science

The mental health of PhD students is at stake: scientific journals should take the blame

My survey identifies the pressure to publish in high impact journals as the main reason for the mental health crisis in academia, and condemns Nature for diverting the truth to defend its own interests at the expense of public science.

The beautiful Nature Journal of illustrator Jo Brown

The beauty of nature is often hiding in plain sight. Even our backyards hold countless treasures, waiting to be discovered.

No, herd immunity is still not a viable strategy -- and the Barrington declaration is unscientific and unethical

This declaration is not about science nor medicine. It's about politics.

Why do days get shorter and darker with autumn?

It's time to leave behind the sunny and longer days of summer

This guy on Youtube makes knives from foods, sand, and other crazy materials

Ever wondered how to make a knife from jello or milk? Well, here's how.

Photographer develops 120-year-old photo -- and of course it's an adorable cat

Of course it's a cat. What else could it be?

Scientists recreate the face of ancient dog

The face of the world changes all the time, but the face of a good doggo is timeless. Now, we can see it. Meet a very special Neolithic dog. Human forensics have developed greatly in recent years, up to the point where facial reconstructions have become somewhat mundane. Not only have scientists reconstructed the faces […]

21 experts you should follow if you want to make sense of the pandemic (and a bonus)

Get your info straight from the experts source.

Quantum Teleportation: Separating Science Fact from Science Fiction

Quantum teleportation may take its name from its fictional counterpart, but aside from that, it shares few commonalities. Despite this, by forming the basis of future quantum technologies, it is no less exciting.

What are the strong chemical bonds?

They really tie the room together.

How much do clouds weigh?

A typical cumulus cloud weighs as much as 100 elephants.

Meet the goliath bullfrog: the largest living frog on Earth

These beefy amphibians are so strong, they can hurl 2 kg rocks to build their own ponds.

Why is Neptune so blue?

The key to Neptune's blue marble apperance lies in its methane-rich atmosphere.

Like a baby's bottom: why don't humans have fur?

We’re pink, bare, and proud of it! But also unsure as to why.

Debunking the soy-estrogen problem and other soy myths

Soy is unique in that it contains isoflavones, but concerns about consuming soy are not backed by human studies.

The environmental impact of veggie patties vs meat burgers

Meat alternatives are becoming increasingly popular. Environmentally, they fare much better than beef.

Historic foods: The story of polenta and its journey from poor man's food to classy delicacy

A staple in some parts of the world, completely unknown in others -- polenta is truly a historic food.

Are milk alternatives more eco-friendly than the real thing?

Here's what the science says.

Your brain on masturbation

Let's get some things straight about auto-euroticism.

What is tofu and is it a healthy alternative?

Tofu is an excellent source of plant protein. Studies have shown that it has plenty of benefits and it's gradually gaining momentum.

How to get rid of hiccups, according to science

We don't know much more about treating hiccups than centuries ago.

So what is the Mars Sample Return mission exactly?

The Mars Sample Return mission is an effort to bring samples of Martian rocks and soil back to Earth, where they can be investigated in unprecedented detail.

World's biggest pyramid isn't in Egypt - it's hidden under a hill in Mexico

You'd think the world's biggest pyramid is in Egypt - after all, they do call it The Great Pyramid.

Staring at the Sun: What is the lifecycle of a typical star

This is the story of our Sun; its past, present, and future.

What is catnip why do felines go crazy over it

Oils found in catnip makes felines enter a frenzy of delight. No worries, it's non-addictive and harmless.

Why climate and COVID-19 deniers love words like 'alarmist' or 'hoax'

Denial is flourishing in the time of the pandemic.

The frothy history of beer

Bottoms up!

Russia's vaccine is unproven and reckless

It looks like a publicity stunt pandering to an audience rather than a legitimate announcement.

A visual tour of Ceres, where astronomers found evidence of a subsurface ocean

Recent evidence has just made Ceres one of the more interesting places in the solar system.

What is viscosity: through thick and thin

Some fluids don't really like going with the flow.

Yes, there is a helium shortage, and it will affect more than just balloons

You can add helium to the long list of things there's a shortage of.

The futuristic city -- what tomorrow's urban areas may have in store for us

We have all we need to start truly futuristic cities. But they might not look as we picture them.

What is calculus and how to get the hang of it

Derivatives, integrals, fun, and laughs, we have it all here.

What time of day is pressure highest -- and other questions about hypertension

It's one of the most important health checkups.

A Journey through Multiverses, Hidden Dimensions, and Many Worlds

The alternate world, universe, or dimension is a long-standing element of pop-culture. But these concepts, often conflated, have their roots in physics. But which of them are most likely to play host to that most thrilling of tropes — the evil doppelganger?

What is keto: the fat-burning diet

Keto is the fad diet of the decade, but does it really work and is it safe?

What is stress and how it affects our mind and body

An ancient mechanism meant to keep us alive can overwhelm us in today's world.

Japan had the coronavirus under control. Then, it opened up too quickly

The virus was almost nowhere to be found. Now, it's almost everywhere.

What is Medicare and what does it cover?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays for a variety of health care expenses. Here's a rundown of the most important things you need to know about Medicare.

Outrageous paper that says 5G "produces viruses" gets shredded by experts

It's shocking that something like this can get published.

What is kratom: an emerging alternative to opioids

Kratom is an opioid-like herbal supplement with potential medical applications, but with many dangerous side effects.

The world's poorest are escaping extreme poverty faster than ever -- but not everything is getting better

Here’s an encouraging thought: extreme poverty has been largely alleviated. In 1820, 94% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty (the equivalent purchasing power of under US $1.9/day). In 1990, the figure had dropped to 34.8%, which is already a big improvement. But since 1990, in just 30 years, the figure has dropped to […]