Latest articles by JoAnna Wendel
New map of methane 'super-emitters' shows some of the largest methane clouds ever seen
A NASA instrument designed to study dust has revealed that some of the largest methane clouds ever seen are floating over the US, Iran and elsewhere.
Hole in the ozone layer has grown for a 3rd year in a row — but scientists aren’t concerned
The ozone hole is the largest it's been since 2015, but overall it's still decreasing.
Why did T. rex have such tiny arms?
Tyrannosaurus rex and many of its theropod cousins had large bodies but tiny arms. What gives?
Which animal has the largest head?
The largest head in the animal kingdom likely belongs to the blue whale, while the largest relative to body size comes from an unlikely source.
Blazing fireball illuminates skies over Scotland and Northern Ireland
Astronomers say the fireball was likely caused by a space rock the size of a golf ball disintegrating in Earth’s atmosphere.
3D scans reveal that beetles have secret pockets on their backs
From the moment they hatch, Lagria beetles carry symbiotic bacteria by stashing them in special pockets.
Oldest human-made structure in the Americas is older than the Egyptian pyramids
Sediment cores from the LSU Mounds reveal thousands of years of buildup of clay, ash from burning plants and animal remains.
Roman 'Zodiac' coin with cancer sign unearthed in Israel
While exploring off the coast of Israel, archaeologists unearthed a rare astrological bronze coin showing the Roman moon goddess Luna.
Strange, never-before-seen diamond crystal structure found inside 'Diablo canyon' meteorite
Graphene found interlocked with diamonds inside an ancient meteorite could be the key to superfast, supercharged tech.
Cave explorers discover a 19th-century mining scene preserved like a time capsule
While exploring an old mine in northwestern England, a group of cavers stumbled upon 200-year-old personal items and equipment left by 19th-century cobalt miners.
What happens in our brains when we 'hear' our own thoughts?
Brain regions that activate when we hear speech out loud are also active when we think about speech.
Why does wood catch fire, but metal doesn't?
Burning is the release of energy, and some materials like metals, can absorb energy better than others, such as wood.
How many space rocks hit the moon every year?
Here's how many tiny and large space rocks hit the moon on a regular basis.
Why isn't Earth perfectly round?
A spinning planet is subject to centrifugal force, which causes its equator to bulge at the sides.
Why aren't there polar bears in Antarctica?
Polar bears evolved during a time when the North and South poles were not connected by ice or land, so they stayed at the North Pole.
Why are asteroids and comets such weird shapes?
Small bodies like asteroids and comets are shaped more by their geological makeup than by gravity, which molds planets and moons into spheres.
Why do the planets in the solar system orbit on the same plane?
About 4.5 billion years ago, the solar system was just a giant, spinning cloud of gas and dust. Today, it's flat. Here's how that happened.
Why don't poisonous animals die from their own toxins?
Some animals, such as poison dart frogs, carry enough toxic chemicals to kill multiple adult humans, but they've evolved tricks to avoid poisoning themselves.
Could a spaceship fly through a gas giant like Jupiter?
These planets are mostly made of gas, but a spaceship would have a rough time trying to get through a giant planet like Jupiter or Saturn.
Why do turtles live so long?
Turtles are famous for their long lives. How do they achieve this longevity?
What would happen if the moon were twice as close to Earth?
Higher tides, bigger earthquakes, and more frequent volcanic eruptions would plague the planet.
