Asha de Vos’ journey from deck hand to marine science leader
In a 2025 story, Asha de Vos tells how she became the first Sri Lankan to earn a PhD studying marine mammals, then built a biology program.
How does a tick bite cause a red meat allergy?
Cases of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that comes from a tick bite, are climbing fast. But why does it only develop in certain people?
Beautiful botflies, luscious leeches, and the wonder of parasites
Sure, botflies are gross, but they also know just how to hitch a ride on a camel sneeze. An entomologist celebrates the wonder of parasites.
Tiny wasps emerge from a caterpillar, and reveal a hidden world
In “Hidden Creatures,” a young entomologist discovers the miraculous world of parasites when cocoons sprout from a caterpillar.
How does a shape-shifting microbe survive extreme heat?
Discover the fire amoeba, an extremophile that’s breaking records and expanding what scientists know about the limits of life.
Inside the race to save wild axolotls
Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild. In a 2025 story, we explore the growing threats they face.
Squirrel poop drops Ice Age clues + The neuroscience of laughter
Ancient squirrel poop provides a snapshot of life during the last ice age. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
Can you learn to love the scorpion?
Fossils suggest there were ancient scorpions over 3 feet long. Terrifying? Perhaps, but there’s a lot to love about these arachnids.
A vast whale graveyard + Zombie sea cucumbers
A massive “whale graveyard” contains whale remains dating back 5 million years. Plus, some detached parts of sea cucumbers don’t seem to die.
Should we bring mountain lions back to the Northeast?
A wildlife conservationist discusses an ambitious and controversial plan to reintroduce mountain lions in New England.