Articles by Greg Uyeno, Staff Writer

Greg Uyeno is a science journalist. He has studied cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley and journalism at New York University. He’s always interested in the language of science and the science of language.

Articles by: Greg Uyeno

Cryptocurrency: Blockchains, mining and environmental impact

By Greg Uyeno published 2 March 22

Reference Cryptocurrencies aren't just alternatives to government-issued forms of money. Most of them are designed to be very different.

Close up of three honeybees crawling on a honeycomb.

Here's all the buzz about honeybees

By Greg Uyeno published 13 November 20

There are 20,000 species of bees, but honeybees have a special relationship with people.

A locust swarm flies through a wheat field.

What are locusts and why do they swarm?

By Greg Uyeno published 25 August 20

Locusts are described by their two dramatically different behavior patterns: Either docile and solitary, or active and sociable, forming gigantic, ravenous swarms.

A woman holding a piece of paper with a skeptical look on her face as she listens to a man speaking to her from the other side of the table.

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

By Greg Uyeno published 6 July 20

When we don't know enough to know what we don't know.

What Are Rock Cairns?

By Greg Uyeno published 10 June 19

What are those random piles of rocks on the trail?

What Is an Atmospheric River?

By Greg Uyeno published 28 March 19

Atmospheric rivers are named as the cause of lots of extreme weather, especially in the western United States. Where do these rivers in the sky come from?

Blue Whales: The Most Enormous Creatures on Earth

By Greg Uyeno published 9 January 19

Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on Earth, but many of the details of their lives remain a mystery to the biologists who study them.

Centipedes and Millipedes: Lots of Legs, What's the Difference?

By Greg Uyeno published 4 December 18

At first glance, centipedes and millipedes look alike with their numerous legs. But there are a few key differences between these squirmy creatures.

Image sensor and lenses, next to a coin for comparison.

3D-Printed Micro-Camera Sees with Eagle-Eye Vision

By Greg Uyeno published 16 February 17

The bio-inspired camera could be used with the smallest of drones.

From 'CRISPR' to 'EpiPen': Dictionary Adds Slew of Scientific Words

By Greg Uyeno published 7 February 17

The lexicographers at Merriam-Webster announced today that they have added more than 1,000 new words to the dictionary, including many that are related to science, technology and medicine.

Infants Exposed to Languages Can Retain Them Later in Life

By Greg Uyeno published 1 February 17

A new study suggests we learn the sounds of language well before we learn to speak.

Why 'Dumpster Fire' Was 2016 Word of the Year

By Greg Uyeno published 24 January 17

Language mavens with the American Dialect Society have selected their 2016 Word of the Year: "dumpster fire."

Alien Interpreters? How Linguists Would Talk to E.T.

By Greg Uyeno published 2 September 16

How would humanity learn an alien language?

How Meat Labels Trick Your Mind

By Greg Uyeno published 1 September 16

Adding a factory farm label to meat influences the taste.

Short and tall basketball players, side by side.

Why Taller People May Be Better at Judging How Far Away Things Are

By Greg Uyeno published 31 August 16

Short people are worse at guessing some distances

World's 1st Plague Pandemic Bacteria Gets New Genetic Analysis

By Greg Uyeno published 30 August 16

A new DNA analysis fills in more of first plague pandemic's genome.

Pothead Rats Are Up to Task, But Just Don't Feel Like It

By Greg Uyeno published 30 August 16

Marijuana makes rats lazy.

Buried Tectonic Plate Reveals Hidden Dinosaur-Era Sea

By Greg Uyeno published 24 August 16

A tectonic "slab graveyard" tells geological history.

Mental Toll of Bad Jobs Lasts Decades

By Greg Uyeno published 23 August 16

People who had low levels of job satisfaction in their 20s and 30s may have an increased risk of mental health problems, new research shows.

Drifting Tectonic Hotspot Overturns Himalayan Theory

By Greg Uyeno published 18 August 16

A new study provides evidence that a patch of extreme rock-uplift in the eastern Himalayas — the area of greatest tectonic activity — has been slowly migrating northward.

Ford Aims to Have Self-Driving Cars Take to Roads by 2021

By Greg Uyeno published 16 August 16

Carmaker wants a fully-autonomous ride-hailing service on the roads in 2021.

10 Biggest Doping Scandals in Olympics History

By Greg Uyeno published 16 August 16

On the world's biggest stage, at the Olympic Games, there are all too many instances of athletes who have turned to the use of a chemical advantage to gain a leg up on their fellow competitors.

Self-Destructing Battery Can Dissolve Itself in 30 Minutes

By Greg Uyeno published 12 August 16

A new type of transient battery dissolves rapidly in water.

NASA Peers into the Eye of a 'Super Typhoon' (Photo)

By Greg Uyeno published 10 August 16

Imaging technologies show a storm in a different light.

Wow! Northern Lights Glow in Breathtaking Image from Space Station

By Greg Uyeno published 9 August 16

The northern lights and an impact crater were captured in a single image taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

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