Articles for category: Ecology, Paleontology

In Vermont, Trees May Be Spying on Each Other — Through Fungi

In Vermont, Trees May Be Spying on Each Other — Through Fungi

Annette Uy

A walk through a Vermont forest is like stepping into a living, breathing mystery. Sunlight flickers through ancient maple leaves, the air is thick with the scent of moss, and the ground beneath your feet hums with life you can’t see. But what if I told you the trees themselves might be whispering, sharing secrets, ...

10 Times Earth Looked More Alien Than Any Science Fiction Planet

10 Times Earth Looked More Alien Than Any Science Fiction Planet

Sameen David

Every time a new sci‑fi epic drops, we see glowing skies, impossible landscapes, and worlds that feel light‑years away from anything on Earth. Yet the wildest twist is this: our own planet quietly hides places that look far stranger than most movie sets. Some of them are so extreme that space agencies literally use them ...

The Day North America Was Split by an Ancient Inland Sea

The Day North America Was Split by an Ancient Inland Sea

Sameen David

If you could rewind Earth’s clock by tens of millions of years and fly over what is now the heart of North America, you would not see endless prairies, highways, or cities. You’d see waves. Instead of grain fields stretching across the Midwest, there would be a shallow, glittering sea swarming with marine reptiles, strange ...

green plant sprouting at daytime

How Microbial Communities in the Soil Are Vital for Global Food Security

Annette Uy

Microbial communities in the soil are complex networks of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining soil health. These tiny organisms are responsible for a wide range of functions, from decomposing organic matter to enhancing plant nutrient uptake. As such, they are fundamental in supporting global food security, providing ...

Goldfish swimming in an aquarium.

Can Fish Get Bored? Enrichment, Play, and Mental Health in Aquatic Pets

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine gliding through a world of water, surrounded by glass walls, with each day a mirror image of the last. For many pet fish, this is reality—a silent, shimmering existence that looks peaceful but might, in truth, be quietly lonely. Have you ever peered into an aquarium and wondered what’s swirling behind those unblinking eyes? ...

Resilience: Preparing for an Uncertain Future

From Bones to Bytes: How Museums Are Digitizing Nature for the Future

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine holding the skeleton of a prehistoric giant in your hands—not in a dusty museum hall, but through a glowing screen, zooming in on every detail from the comfort of your living room. This isn’t science fiction. Across the world, museums are racing against time, climate, and decay to digitize the wonders of our natural ...