Watching swarms of tiny insects dive into burning fires can be fascinating, but what drives them to this fiery death? From the first man-made fire to modern light fixtures, artificial illumination has drawn insects in, often to their deaths. Until now, it has been widely theorized that insects are attracted to light, even when it […]
Like a moth to a flame: Why insects are attracted to light Read More »
The pink, squishy organ inside our heads is often considered the ultimate biological control center. There is no doubt that the brain is extraordinary, complex, and great at its difficult job of controlling organisms; however, it is not the only player in cognition. Instead, scientists are now realizing that other types of cells possess forms
Plants and the ‘roots’ of cognition Read More »
Nestled between the brick and concrete buildings of Boston, a flash of green stands out. Joyous voices carry through the urban bustle as a group gathers in a verdant garden, eager to try the first tomatoes of the season. After several months of careful tending, the fruits have finally ripened on their sprawling vines, gleaming
Growing green: Reducing urban agriculture’s carbon footprint Read More »
Since ancient times, humans across the globe have consistently incorporated talking trees into their mythos. Commonly depicted as slow-moving and wise, these trees that can talk often serve as the guardians of mystic forests and dark woods. Surprisingly, it seems that these mythological depictions of trees may not be so far from reality. Trees can
Talking trees: The story and science behind tree communication Read More »
Stars flicker faintly as the dark horizon reddens. Howling, freezing winds and desolate craters starkly contrast the lush tropical rainforests and coral gardens 10,000 feet below. As the blinding light finally emerges over a sea of swirling clouds, a bright reflection appears from the sparse, reddish slopes. It is a silver plant, radiating under the
Mirror of the sun: The Hawaiian silversword Read More »
When picturing the future of sustainability, renewable energy often comes to mind. However, solar panels may not be all that sustainable — especially when they eventually die. Solar panels are the face of the green energy movement. They accounted for 54% of new electricity added to the United States electrical grid in 2023. But what
The truth behind the end of a solar panel’s life Read More »
Yolanda Quispe, a park ranger at the Quelccaya glacier in Peru, is greatly saddened at the dismal state of what was once the world’s largest tropical ice cap, she told The Guardian journalists who joined her in the park. Located at the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the climate crisis has had a direct impact
Life without the ice cap Read More »
The ability to use language to establish relationships and dynamics within an ecosystem sustains the study of ecology. Charles Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” narrative describes the tendencies of natural selection and the likelihood of survival based on an organism’s environmental adjustment. Other terms used by ecologists to classify the relationships between species — mutualism,
An ecosystem of one’s own: The application of ecological theory towards genomics Read More »
As the possibility of deep space missions to Mars looms closer, scientists are actively addressing one of the biggest concerns: food. For previous space missions, scientists prioritized providing astronauts with necessary nutrition over food quality. However, this mindset is not sustainable when considering a long-term space mission. With factors like the weight of the food
A garden in the dark Read More »