10 times humans messed with nature and it backfired
History is peppered with times when our patchy knowledge of natural systems has led to questionable interventions with unintended — and sometimes disastrous — consequences.
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7 rules that explain Earth's most extreme animal shapes and sizes
Nature has a few rules to help explain the extreme shapes and sizes we see in the animal kingdom.
10 bizarre phenomena that lit up the sky (and their scientific explanations)
From UFO-like rings and whirlpools of light to rainbow clouds and laser lines, here are 10 strange visual phenomena that can be easily explained by science.
29 lost burials archaeologists have yet to find (and 1 they did)
The burials of famous people provide enduring archaeological mysteries. Here are 30 of the most acclaimed "lost" tombs.
15 dazzling images of the sun
The sun is Earth's closest star, yet its beauty is too intense to appreciate with the naked eye. Here are some of the most stunning solar images that our satellites and telescopes have captured.
The worst droughts in US history
From the Middle Ages to today, North America has experienced a number of extremely dry periods.
Catspreading 'Big Boss' among finalists of Comedy Pet Photography Awards
Here are the semi-finalists for the Comedy Pet Photography Awards 2023.
The 10 biggest explosions in history
Explosions, both natural and man-made, have caused awe and terror for centuries. Here are 10 of the biggest recorded blasts.
20 inventions that changed the world
From the wheel 5,500 years ago to the birth control pill, these 20 inventions had huge ramifications and have helped humans shape the world around us.
8 wild stories about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb'
From predicting the existence of black holes to being insulted by Einstein — J. Robert Oppenheimer led an intriguing life. Here are eight facts you didn't know about the father of the atomic bomb.
20 of the best conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories that have taken hold range from a faked moon landing to Barack Obama's birthplace to chemtrails.
13 horrific firework injuries that will keep you cautious on July 4
As July Fourth celebrations take off across the U.S., so will the number of firework-related accidents and hospital visits.
10 signs the sun is gearing up for its explosive peak — the solar maximum
Experts believe the upcoming solar maximum could be more active and arrive sooner than previously expected. Here are some of the signs indicating they are right.
10 temples, tombs and monuments that align with the summer solstice
From the Mediterranean to North America, there's a lot of evidence that the day the 'sun stands still' has been important to humans for thousands of years.
Zombie animals: 10 real-life cases of body-snatching
Zombie movies have it all wrong. Parasites are the real zombie killers.
Stunning images of the mysterious Nazca Lines in Peru
A gallery of images of the Nazca Lines in Peru.
25 gorgeous nebula photos that capture the beauty of the universe
Nebulas — colorful clouds of expanding gas and dust — have long captivated stargazers with their beauty. Here are 25 of the most stunning nebulas in the universe.
8 ancient 'zombie viruses' that scientists have pulled from the melting permafrost
Scientists are discovering and resurrecting ancient viruses trapped in permafrost and frozen remains. Here are 8 'zombie' viruses that scientists have pulled from the permafrost.
How the body changes in space — usually, for the worse
From causing muscle loss to raising the risk of blood clots, long-haul space missions can have a profound impact on the human body.
