Olivia Ferrari

Olivia Ferrari

Live Science Contributor

Olivia Ferrari is a New York City-based freelance journalist with a background in research and science communication. Olivia has lived and worked in the U.K., Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. Her writing focuses on wildlife, environmental justice, climate change, and social science.

Articles by: Olivia Ferrari

Husky looking up.

Smarter dogs have smaller brains, surprising study reveals

By Olivia Ferrari published

A study looking at the brain size of different breeds relative to their skulls reveals how humans have altered the species through artificial selection.

Aerial view of a operations at a paper and pulp plant.

How is paper made from trees?

By Olivia Ferrari published

Plant-based paper has been used for thousands of years, but exactly how is it created from trees?

a silhouette of a gibon with its arm in the air as it looks up

Female gibbons 'vogue' and dance like robots — and make sure they have an audience

By Olivia Ferrari published

Female gibbons appear to do robot dances for attention, scientists discover.

A satellite image of the Sahara desert showing significantly more green space and water after rain

Sahara desert hit by extraordinary rainfall event that could mess with this year's hurricane season

By Olivia Ferrari published

The world's largest hot desert, the Sahara, is being hit with unusually heavy rain. Scientists are unclear why, but it may be linked to a subdued Atlantic hurricane season.

A gorilla chews on a long stem

Wild gorillas in Gabon eat plants with antibacterial abilities against drug-resistant E. coli

By Olivia Ferrari published

Wild gorillas eat the same tree bark used by traditional healers, which can inhibit the growth of E. coli in petri dishes, according to a new study.