(Credit: Kovalchuk Oleksandr/Shutterstock)

Benjamin Franklin

A gruesome discovery in the Benjamin Franklin House has us wondering if Ben Franklin was a serial killer. Get the scientific context behind the findings.

The 1,200 Buried Bones in the Benjamin Franklin House

Tasting food

We crave anything salty or sweet as children, but our sense of taste often becomes more complex over time. Here's the science behind our ever-evolving taste buds.

Why Does Our Sense of Taste Change As We Get Older? 

colorful pills 

Psychotropic drugs mess with your mind — but not always in a bad way. Find out how they can be used to treat a range of mental health conditions.

What Are Psychotropic Drugs and What Are They Good For?

Earthquake destruction in Turkey, 2023

Seismographs are limited to identifying when a tremor is actually occurring. Quantum entanglement could advance sensor technology to give earlier warnings.

How Sensors Using Quantum Entanglement Could Improve Earthquake Detection

(Credit: LightField Studios/Shutterstock)

The puzzle of dementia in women

Women make up a big majority of those living with dementia. Identifying signs of dementia in women and sex-based contributing factors could help change that.

The Added Burden of Dementia for Women

How big were dinosaur eggs? How durable? How long did they take to hatch? Here's what we know. (Credit: Jaroslav Moravcik/Shutterstock)

Dinosaur Eggs

What do we understand about dinosaur eggs and eggshells? Break into the science behind the birth of baby dinos.

Did All Dinosaurs Lay Eggs?

PVC pipes that are made out of vinyl chloride. (Credit: PhilipYb Studio/Shutterstock)

Vinyl chloride - PVC pipes

The toxic chemical came spilling out of a derailed train in Ohio. Learn the impact to the surrounding environment.

How Vinyl Chloride Can Negatively Impact the Environment

Two border collies - one is barking. (Credit: Annette Shaff/Shutterstock)

Dog barking

Learn the science behind your dog’s barking and why it’s a useful tool of communication for both dog and human.

Why Does My Dog Bark So Much?

Person trying to stay awake because they haven't had enough sleep. (Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock)

Sleep-deprived person

Experiments show how long you can go without sleep and the effects sleep deprivation has on our bodies. The truth might surprise you.

How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

red tide

What is Red Tide? Researchers are still learning about toxic algae responsible for marine life die-offs.

What Is Red Tide – and Is It Getting Worse?

smell-navigation-1600x600

It’s not easy to find the source of a swirling scent plume. Scientists are using experiments and simulations to uncover the varied strategies that animals employ.

How Animals Follow Their Nose

(Credit:François Clouet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

François Clouet - Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87) - Google Art Project

Cryptologists use modern technology to decipher nearly 50 letters Mary Queen of Scots sent while imprisoned from 1578 to 1584. 

Cryptologists Decode Mary Queen of Scots' Letters

Elon Musk in black bowtie

Curious if Elon Musk is a scientist? Take a closer look at Musk's background and education to determine if he actually qualifies as a scientist. 

Is Elon Musk a Scientist?

Tulum at sunrise

Now part of a modern tourist paradise, the Tulum ruins remain a symbol of a once vibrant and powerful civilization.

Where Is Tulum and Why Was It So Important to the Ancient Maya?

Even hermit crabs have individual patterns of behavior — personalities, if you like. When scientists ignore the effects of such differences, they may produce research that’s flawed.
(Credit:Sagar_kumar/Shutterstock)

Two hermit crab on andaman sea beach

Individual behavior patterns may skew studies. A new approach called ‘STRANGE’ could help, by taking into account the habits, tendencies and life experiences of the creatures under scrutiny.

Animal Personalities Can Trip Up Science, But There’s a Solution

Forms of identification

There’s a finite quantity of phone numbers and other forms of identification. But don’t panic yet! Find out how we can stay connected.

Are We Running Out of ID Numbers?

Cold vs. hot illustration

The search for the long-discredited cold fusion energy source may be catching its second wind, though questions remain about its legitimacy.

What Is Cold Fusion? Is It Possible?

Three gray wolves in the snow

Pack disruptions may occur after the loss of a leader of the wolf pack. Could it exacerbate conflicts with humans?

Why There's the Leader of the Wolf Pack

The ancient city of Petra, Jordan, which is thought to be the city of the Nabataeans. (Credit: tenkl/Shutterstock)

Petra

The origin story of the Nabataeans remains a mystery to many. Learn what experts have theorized about their history and culture.

Where Did the Nabataeans Come From?

Garbage truck dumping the garbage on a landfill

Let's face it, humans create a lot of garbage. What happens if we run out of room for it here on Earth?  

Waste in Space: Is Sending Trash Into The Beyond An Option?

Cleo

From queens to battle commanders, Queen Ahhotep I, Queen Cleopatra VII and others gave their all for ancient Egypt. The accomplishments of these female rulers run deep in history.

Ancient Egypt’s Fiercest Female Rulers 

A humanoid robot named Sophia spoke at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland in 2017. (Credit: International Telecommunication Union/Wikimedia Commons) 

Sophia the robot

Robots that look like humans can walk, talk and even appear to show emotions. Meet the most human-like robots that have come creepily close to crossing the uncanny valley.

4 Robots That Look Like Humans 

Depiction of a feathered velociraptor (Credit: Noiel/Shutterstock)

velociraptor

What did dinosaurs really look like? These latest scientific findings reveal unique physical features and uncover mysteries about their behaviors.

Here’s What Dinosaurs Really Looked Like

15 Best THC Edibles

15 Best THC Edibles of 2023: Tastiest & Most Potent 

CBG1

CBG vs CBD: Detailed Breakdown and Best Products

shutterstock 1633125442

Chatbots aren't close to being sentient, scientists say. The real danger lies in how prone we are to anthropomorphize them. 

AI Isn't the Problem, We Are

shutterstock 437157505

The recent discovery pushes back the origin of mechanically propelled weapons in Eurasia by 40,000 years. 

The Earliest Modern Humans Mastered Bow Hunting 54,000 Years Ago

Marie Curie (Credit: Internet Archive Book Images/Flickr Commons)

Marie curie in the lab - public domain

Science is often considered a male-dominated field. But the field is rich with female scientists who made important discoveries. These women in science broke boundaries and changed the world.

Meet 10 Women in Science Who Changed the World

Microscope 

Using entangled photons instead of classical light gives microscopes super-resolution

Quantum Imaging Doubles Microscope Resolution 

March/April 2023

Discovered in 1984, the Mars rock known as ALH84001 was eventually found to contain carbonates — a possible sign of life once existing on another world. The press went wild and ALH84001 became a literal rock star (Credit: NASA).

DSC-OT0323 1

How a humble meteorite redefined the future of astrobiology.

New Life Found on an Old Rock

DSC-EX0323 1

Microgravity deteriorates the body in surprisingly familiar ways for earthbound seniors and astronauts alike.

Details on Space Aging Informs Health Research

Lamberto Bernardini crafts a modern version of L’Orvietan in a laboratory that mixes the modern and the historic (Credit: Courtesy Lamberto Bernardini).

DSC-HL0323 1

With ingredients ranging from accepted herbal treatments to burnt viper’s flesh, L’Orvietan was the 17th-century remedy of choice for commoners and kings.

An Italian Cure-All Experiences a Comeback

DSC-TR0323 1

A conservation-minded look at treading lightly – and responsibly – in some of the world’s most mesmerizing, vulnerable places.

Policymakers, Tourists Look Beyond Ecotourism

Elm & Rye Melatonin

What is Best Sleeping Pill for Elderly?

Elm & Rye Vitamin C Gummies

15 best immunity gummies for 2023

Elm and Rye

What to drink to last longer in bed? Your full cocktail breakdown

image001

25 Best Dog Food for Boxers in 2023

Pupper Absorb

25 Best Dog Skin Supplements in 2023

25 Best Flea Pills for Dogs in 2023

21 Best Sea Moss Gummies of 2023

Elm & Rye Mushroom Creamer

10 best mushroom hot chocolates in 2023

Elm & Rye Keto Waffle Mix

27 best protein pancakes in 2023

28 best keto snacks

29 best keto waffles

29 best keto pancakes

Discover STEM Kits

Discover 2022 Calendar

Strange Science

Elements Flashcards image

Elements Flashcards

DSC newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news and fun facts you won't want to miss!

Newsletter signup

50 printsub homepagebanner

Science is changing fast. Discover Magazine is here to be your guide.

Science That Matters

potw1940a

Follow us on Instagram for science news, print highlights & more!

Connect with Us

420x230 P40271

Create fun projects while learning the basics of electronics, circuitry, and solar energy.

My Science Shop Exclusive