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Nautilus

Marlene Zuk is an evolutionary biologist at the University of Minnesota who studies the evolution of behavior, particularly sexual selection and communication. She helped develop the idea that parasites and pathogens are instrumental in the evolution of sexual differences, and has examined how behavior affects the rate of evolution. In addition to her academic work, she has written several books for general audiences, including Outsider Animals and Paleofantasy.

Marlene Zuk

3d rendering of a cockroach. Credit: ARTYuSTUDIO / Shutterstock

Zoology

Consider the Cockroach

Jo Marchant is the author of <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324097488" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In Search of Now: The Science of the Present Moment</a>. She has written several popular books, including The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars and the New York Times bestseller Cure: A Journey Into the Science of Mind over Body, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize. She lives in London.

Jo Marchant

Surreal spiral clock in space. Credit: amgun / Shutterstock.

Physics

Welcome to the Block Universe

Kristen French is an associate editor at Nautilus. She has worked in science journalism since 2013, reporting and writing features and news for publications such as Wired, Backchannel, The Verge, and New York Magazine. She has a masters degree in science journalism from Columbia University.

Kristen French

One of the 27 independent antennas that comprise the VLA is pictured scanning the night sky. Credit: BrianPIrwin / Shutterstock.

Astronomy

Why Haven’t We Heard from Extraterrestrials Yet?

Devin Reese is the executive editor of Natural History and a science writer based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Devin Reese

Credit: Peng, C. et al Herpetozoa (2026).

This Frog Sings Like a Bird

Bull shark swimming in the ocean. Credit: Martin Prochazkacz / Shutterstock

Bull Sharks Make Friends, Too

Jake Currie is a writer based in Brooklyn, NY.

Jake Currie

Toddler hand grabbing cookie. Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj / Shutterstock.

Psychology

Babies Learn the Art of Deception Before Their First Birthday

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Jordana Cepelewicz