Life Science

From the smallest microbe to the largest mammal, Life Science explores the origins, evolution and expansion of life in all its forms. Explore a wide range of topics from biology to genetics and evolution.

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Are We Entering the Sixth Major Extinction on Earth?

A new global report says 1 million species are at risk of extinction — the greatest number in human history.

By Jonathan Strickland Life Science / Evolution

Men's Beards Carry More Bacteria Than Dogs' Fur, Study Suggests

While researchers can't say from this small study whether hairy men are inherently germier than the rest of the human race, the results are startling.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky May 6, 2019 Life Science / Cellular & Microscopic Biology

What Does 'Caucasian' Really Mean?

It's easy to equate "Caucasian" with "white." But that one word — Caucasian — touches on issues much deeper than skin color.

By John Donovan Apr 24, 2019 Life Science / Genetic Science

Do You Have a Doppelganger? There's a 1 in a Trillion Chance

Does everyone have a double out there somewhere that they don't know about? Science says the odds are pretty slim.

By Alia Hoyt Apr 23, 2019 Life Science / Genetic Science

Why Are Australia's Pink Lakes Pink?

This stunning sight is totally natural and totally cool.

By Tara Yarlagadda Apr 22, 2019 Life Science / Cellular & Microscopic Biology

Study Solves Why Drinking Gives You the Munchies

Researchers from Penn State University College of Medicine suggest that a shared circuit in the brain could be one reason why heavy drinking and high-fat 'junk food' cravings go hand in hand.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Apr 16, 2019 Inside the Mind / The Human Brain

Poisonous Death Cap Mushroom Spreads Over North America

Amanita phalloides is non-native to the North American continent, introduced to California from Europe, and rapidly spreading.

By Tara Yarlagadda Apr 12, 2019 Life Science / Biological Fields

Results of Landmark NASA DNA Twin Study Are In

The study found no long-lasting differences in the DNA of the two Kelly brothers after one year space.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Apr 11, 2019 Life Science / Genetic Science

Frozen Zoo DNA May Stave Off Species Extinction

Scientists are banking frozen DNA in the hope of saving endangered animals in the future.

By Jesslyn Shields Apr 2, 2019 Life Science / Genetic Science

Why Do People Keep Flaking Out?

It's not just your imagination — people feel freer to bail out on others at the last minute than they used to. But why?

By Danielle Douez Mar 26, 2019 Inside the Mind / Emotions

World's Oldest Frozen Sperm Works Just Fine, Thank You Very Much

Surprisingly, sheep semen stored for 50 years produced perfectly healthy lambs.

By Jesslyn Shields Mar 20, 2019 Life Science / Biological Fields

Horseshoe Crabs Endangered by Biomedical Bloodletting

Horseshoe crabs have blue blood that can detect toxins, a rare ability that's threatening their survival.

By Loraine Fick Mar 19, 2019 Life Science / Biological Fields

Regrets, We’ve Had a Few — But Why?

Ever had a "woulda, shoulda, coulda" feeling about something? It's called regret. What really triggers this emotion — and can we trust it?

By Dave Roos Mar 15, 2019 Inside the Mind / Emotions

The Mandela Effect: Why So Many Recall Events That Never Occurred

Do you have copy of that '90s family movie "Shazaam" at your parents' house? Actually, you don't because it doesn't exist. But you may think you do. Here's why.

By Nathan Chandler Mar 14, 2019 Inside the Mind / The Human Brain

5 People Who Can't Seem to Stay Buried

From solving a mystery to clearing up issues of paternity, exhuming a corpse can provide answers.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Mar 7, 2019 Life Science / Genetic Science

The Mystery, Myth and Reality of Plum Island

For years, speculation has surrounded the government's high security animal disease research center, which is slated to close in 2023.

By Patrick J. Kiger Feb 13, 2019 Life Science / Biological Fields

Science Is Finding Out Why Some Love ASMR Videos and Others Hate Them

ASMR has become a pop phenomenon and scientists are trying to figure out why some people love those tingling-inducing videos and others can't stand them.

By Nathan Chandler Feb 12, 2019 Inside the Mind / The Human Brain

This Science Experiment Will Run for 500 Years

Scientists started an experiment back in 2014 that will run for 500 years. The first results were recently published. So, what have they found so far?

By Nathan Chandler Feb 11, 2019 Life Science / Cellular & Microscopic Biology

The Magical Medicine of Bezoars

Bezoars are concretions found in the stomachs of animals that were once believed to cure poisoning and plague.

By Loraine Fick Feb 7, 2019 Life Science / Biological Fields

How a Booming Legal Marijuana Industry Could Harm Air Quality

In a high-traffic city like Denver, a booming cannabis industry could make air quality even worse.

By Jesslyn Shields Feb 6, 2019 Botany / Flowering Plants, Shrubs and Trees

Try These 5 Daily Habits to Improve Your Life This Year

A new year is always a good time to set new goals. We've come up with five healthy changes that have been scientifically shown to improve your well-being.

By Dave Roos Jan 3, 2019 Inside the Mind / The Human Brain

A 'Tree That Owns Itself' Grows in Athens, Georgia

A massive white oak in the hometown of the University of Georgia has many wondering whether a tree can even have legal rights — and about the future of the environmental and animal rights movements.

By Jamie Allen Dec 14, 2018 Botany / Flowering Plants, Shrubs and Trees

The Science Behind Your Cat's Catnip Craze

Researchers are studying the chemistry behind what makes cats go crazy for catnip. And whether or not the chemical compound could have medicinal benefits for treating diseases like cancer.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Dec 14, 2018 Botany / Flowering Plants, Shrubs and Trees