Articles by

Tina Hesman Saey

Here’s why some pigeons do backflips

Atoosa Samani started learning about pigeon genetics at a young age. She grew up surrounded by pet...

The desert planet in ‘Dune’ is plausible, according to science

Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune has been praised for its worldbuilding. Herbert created complex societies, religions...

Ancient viruses helped speedy nerves evolve

Ancient viruses have really gotten on our nerves, but in the best of ways. One particular retrovirus...

Newfound immune cells are responsible for long-lasting allergies

Allergy sufferers may one day be able to erase the source of their congestion, itchy skin and...

Bird flu viruses may pack tools that help them infect human cells

Bird flu viruses may pack a little taste of home to help them adapt to life in...

Here’s why COVID-19 isn’t seasonal so far

The pandemic may no longer be a public health emergency, but plenty of my neighbors, friends and...

Here’s how tardigrades go into suspended animation

Researchers have discovered a molecular sensor that tells tardigrades it’s time to toughen up. The tiny eight-legged...

Fetuses make a protein that causes morning sickness in pregnancy

A surge of a hormone made by fetuses triggers the stomach-turning nausea and vomiting of morning sickness,...