Scientists at Work

The International Space Station is the first permanent human settlement in space—and the perfect setting to understand how our species might create culture off-planet.

An urban explorer ventured deep below downtown in search of Schieks Cave. What he found changed science.

The two males have braved a channel full of lion-killing crocs and hippos in Uganda at least seven times.

Researchers hauled bins of fish carcasses through bear country to learn how salmon affects plants and pollinators.

Researchers made the surprise discovery when wildfire smoke blanketed their test site.

In matters of grooming and moving, these primates defer to the ladies.

And the people trying to save these endangered species.

Cliffside with Argentina's burrowing parrots, biologist Juan Masello has broken bones, crushed a vein, and nearly drowned.

The small-winged stick mantis is found throughout South America's grasslands. But in Uruguay, the population is entirely female.

The Sun's dazzlingly bright photosphere makes it impossible to study the corona—unless the Moon is in the way.

Even when those mummies still have skin, hair, and clothing.

Colombia's paleontologists uncover rich fossil deposits that could change what we know about ancient oceans.

In Ecuador, Satanas the tarantula—named for his feisty attitude—became both teacher and friend to researchers.

At warm, deep sea springs off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, throngs of octopus "balls" gather to tend their brood.

When vessels such as the WWII tanker E.M. Clark sink, they begin a second life as habitat for a diverse ecosystem.

A red velvet worm, jeweled corpse flower, and other rare species were found while retracing the route of the bloody 1911-12 Abor Expedition.

These moss balls move in unison, and researchers are okay with not knowing why.

Around the Caribbean island nation, local cetaceans have some unique traits, including doubling down on defecation.