Pluto’s Weird Atmosphere Just Collapsed
The dramatic fall in atmospheric pressure on Pluto is much larger than astronomers expected ...read more
Category: Discover Magazine
The Psychological Importance of Extraordinary Experiences
Psychologists say feelings of awe go beyond good memories. ...read more
Do Humans Have a ‘Mating Season’?
Most animals mate at a certain time of year. But humans do things a bit differently. ...read more
How Will COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps Work in the U.S.?
Engineers build privacy into the design of U.S. contact tracing smartphone apps. ...read more
To Fight Plastic Pollution, These Researchers Want Your Pictures of Beach Trash
Every year, 8 million tons of plastic get dumped into the ocean. Scientists want your help tracking where it comes from and where it goes. ...read more
When Do Babies’ Microbiomes Begin to Form?
Scientists are trying to understand when infants are exposed to helpful bacteria for the first time. ...read more
The Familiar Plants and Animals That Invaded America’s Landscape
Palms in Southern California, tumbleweeds in the desert West, earthworms in rich American soils: These well-known species aren’t what you think they are. ...read more
Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan Threatens Catastrophic Storm Surge in India and Bangladesh
Evacuating hundreds of thousands of people in the midst of spiking coronavirus cases will pose particular challenges ...read more
How Many Galaxies Are There? Astronomers Are Revealing the Enormity of the Universe
The universe is awash in islands of matter — some 100 billion galaxies make up the basic building blocks of the cosmos. ...read more
Loss of Smell, Confusion, Strokes: Does COVID-19 Target the Nervous System?
Reports of patients with neurological symptoms have emerged during the pandemic. Scientists don’t yet know whether these are a direct effect of the virus or part of the body’s response to infection. ...read more