Latest Articles
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Excuse me but this butterfly can see with its butt
Animals get all the cool accoutrements — tails, wings, prehensile penises — and humans all know which one they’re most jealous of. If you want proof, ask any elementary schooler, most stoned college kids, and certain tags on Tumblr. But the one creature I’ll bet no human has ever, ever envied is the Japanese swallowtail […]
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The Midwest gets some rain, as the Mississippi keeps emptying
Rain is bringing relief from the drought, at a pace that will have us back to normal by early 2014.
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Newly discovered owl frowns on your shenanigans
This owl, Ninox Spilocephala, is one of 10 new species of owl just discovered in the Philippines. (Researchers found them using recording equipment that can distinguish subtle distinctions between different species’ hoots.) More importantly, though, he has scary human eyes, hates you, and was clearly born to be a meme.
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These floor tiles let you generate energy just by walking around
Great (literal!) strides in renewable energy are being made, by way of an emerging technology called footfall harvesting.
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Why are you running away, offshore drilling? All Obama wants is a hug
The president is trying to embrace offshore drilling in this election year. Instead, he's getting unfairly blamed for the industry's problems.
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Farmers are dealing with corn shortages by feeding cows candy instead
If you worry about the fact that cows eat so much corn, you might be happy to know that cows are now eating expired candy.
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Keeping the peace between beekeepers and their urban neighbors
As beekeeping becomes more popular in urban areas, some nearby residents are turning to vandalism. Experts share tips for beekeepers who want to get along with their neighbors.
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Ask Umbra: Help! I’m in a tight(s) spot
A reader wonders about eco-friendly leggings. Umbra unrolls some no-nonsense advice.
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Older boomers help shift driving trends into reverse
Because driving rates peak in midlife, the aging of the baby boom generation will lead to a drop in per-capita driving.
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Swimming in it: An idyllic New England creek becomes a raging menace
When Hurricane Irene blew through New York state last year, a neighboring creek gushed into Catherine Taylor-Rosenbaum's basement. It wasn't the first flood in recent memory, and she doesn't think it will be the last. The Slow Ride crew has the story.
