-
Snakes Break All the Rules
Stephen S. Hall on writing his new book Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World
-
Conjuring Imaginary Creatures
Dinosaur illustrator Mick Ellison on the evolution of using science and art to visualize the long-extinct animals of the deep past
-
In Search of the First Animals
A fossilized ocean reef on a mountaintop may hold clues to the evolution of complex life
-
The Last of Their Kind
Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?
The Porthole
Short sharp looks at science
-
Why We Might Not Find Life on Titan
At most, its oceans may contain biomass equivalent to a small dog
-
Destruction for Thee, Habitat for Me
For Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies, hurricanes mean clear skies and bright futures
Get the best of Nautilus. Become a member today.
Join now-
Why Elephants Rarely Get Cancer
What snakes, ferrets, and elephants are revealing about cancer resistance
-
We Are a Part of Infinity
A neuroscientist uncovers Albert Einstein’s little known spiritual journey
-
Argue Your Way to a Fuller Life
Refute your friends and family, never be satisfied. Philosopher Agnes Callard on life lessons from Socrates.
-
Neutron Stars Hint at Another Dimension
Are the mysterious stars clues to one of the greatest mysteries in the universe?
-
Balloon-Borne Telescopes Take Off
Stratospheric balloons are giving astronomers sharper views of the universe
-
Why Our Brains Crave Ideology
A neuroscientist reveals how to nurture authentic and flexible thinking
-
Ukrainian War Widows on the Edge
Adventure therapy takes on the challenge of helping war-torn families
-
The Extraordinary, Imperiled Science at the End of the Earth
Firing experts in Antarctica couldn’t come at a worse time
-
How We Solved the Hole in the Ozone
A scientist’s first-hand account shows the world can tackle a global environmental crisis.
-
The Sean Carrolls Explain the Universe
Why are we here? Is there life on other planets? The renowned scientists who share a name share their answers to life’s big questions.
-
The Soviet Rebel of Music
He composed on a computer in a dangerous time. His echo is still heard today.
-
How Whales Could Help Us Speak to Aliens
Learning to decode complex communication on Earth may give us a leg up if intelligent life from space makes contact.
-
As Mountains Rise, Biodiversity Blooms
Steeper, faster, and higher peaks make more species -
Living with Lab Mice
A philosopher reflects on their unexpected roommates -
The Animals That Exist Between Life and Death
At the dawn of microbiology, scientists glimpsed unseen worlds and stumbled into a philosophical purgatory -
We Could Have Been Warthogs
The peerless animal wisdom of Robert Sapolsky -
We’re All Wild Things
Welcome to the Animal Issue -
When Earth Was a Pale Green Dot
The planet’s first photosynthesizers dined on green light -
Planet Nurseries Are Smaller Than We Thought
An explanation for the abundance of super-Earths -
Eastern North America Is a Geological Hotbed
Violent crumpling of rock left a continental edge that is much more interesting than we imagined -
Sea Slug, Climate Change Warrior
A species of sea hare has an impressive tolerance for heat and a penchant for gene mixing -
The Birds Eat the Bees
The crested honey buzzard’s unique adaptations help them eat their favorite food: young bees and wasps -
The Starlings’ Curious Odyssey
A legacy of the most hated bird in America -
The Art of the Atomic
James Stanford’s images depict an Earth and sky fractured by nuclear power -
Searching for Alien Life Along the Cosmic Shoreline
How planets gain and lose atmospheres might give us a new map of where to look for life -
How Talking Machines Got Their Voices
From the cockpit to consumer tech, synthetic voices shed light on gender biases -
A Closer Look at the Woolly Devil
The scientific potential of an overlooked flower -
Discovering the First Intersex Southern Right Whale
What you think you know depends on how you look -
How Pebbles Form Planets
It starts with static electricity and dust swirling around young stars -
What Caused the Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar?
A seismologist walks us through the region’s tectonic history -
The Surprising History of Scientific Ballooning in 11 Missions
It started with farm animals—now it’s revealing secrets of the cosmos -
Ping, You’ve Got Whale
A new AI system alerts ship captains in real-time when a whale is in their path
