Welcome to The Porthole
Short sharp looks at science.
-
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
-
The Mystery of the Pregnant Rays
Divers find hundreds of normally solitary electric rays snuggled together -
The Deadly Story of a Life-Giving Element
Author Jack Lohmann on his new book about phosphorus -
When Fish Follow You
Some wild fish may recognize individual humans in the sea -
Icelandic Horses Have Good Genes
New evidence suggests their unique gaits have a complex pedigree -
The Great Whale Conveyor Belt
The loss of whales has weakened the longest food chain on the planet
