Two research teams went into the weeds to quantify the magic behind the flight of the dandelion seed.

Freezing soap bubbles look like snow globes. This whimsical effect could help us improve biological freezing techniques—and is incredibly fun to watch.

Good news for bugs that weigh less than a sesame seed.

Deep sleep and REM sleep could be universal among vertebrates, stretching 450 million years back in evolutionary time.

A swine virus that appeared in the U.S. in 2013 has proven hard to track. But an algorithm might help researchers predict the next outbreak.

A chicken-sized raptor relative adds credence to the idea that flight evolved multiple times among ground-faring dinosaurs.

Quantum physics impacts the technology students use every day. Use these resources from NOVA broadcasts, NOVA Digital, and What the Physics!? to introduce quantum concepts to your classroom.

Human-made shields that block UV rays and concentrate heat on the Martian surface could provide both liquid water and protection from radiation.

Neutron star innards are not your mom’s lasagna.

Researchers are developing robots that use AI to read emotions and social cues, making them better at interacting with humans. Are they a solution to labor shortages in fields like health care and education, a threat to human workers, or both?

There are a heck of a lot of reasons not to.

A new fossil find may help pinpoint the origins of mammals’ uber-flexible hyoid bone, which anchors the tongue and gives us our signature swallowing style.

Even while still in their eggs, baby birds can hear their parents’ alarm calls. They then pass the message along to unhatched siblings so the entire clutch emerges aware of the dangers ahead.

A new analysis pinpoints some of the most ancient stars in our galaxy—and tells the story of the Milky Way’s ravenous past.

A sobering analysis suggests that animal species aren’t adapting fast enough to maintain their numbers in the face of rising temperatures.

The border collie achieved international fame for her remarkable grasp on vocabulary and sentence structure.

This crustacean-like critter stalked the seas half a billion years ago.

With a goal to empower youth to tell stories about the world in new ways, NOVA Science Studio was able to give students exposure to a wide range of careers in STEM, journalism, and media production.

The burnt ruins of a Maya city in what’s now Guatemala hold clues to its untimely demise at the turn of the 7th century.

Two kinds of glow-in-the-dark catsharks convert blue light to green, and now we know how.

A rare iron isotope produced by exploding stars has been found in Antarctic snow.

Researchers eroding clay in water may have uncovered secrets of meteorites’ aerodynamic stability.

With the right kind of care, plenty of plants actually do just fine in microgravity.

The LIGO and Virgo observatories appear to have picked up gravitational waves from a first-of-its-kind astronomical observation.

The threat of mercury in seafood was curbed with regulations, but climate change could drive levels back up.

The feathery glint startles their rodent prey, making them easier to catch.

New findings suggest Neanderthals evolved their unusually broad fingers after they split from Denisovans, just 400,000 years ago.

The breakthrough could mean that fewer organs go to waste before they make it into a transplant recipient.

Delays during migration can imperil birds’ chances of a successful breeding season.

That spells trouble for the entire planet.

Gut microbes react differently to raw and cooked versions of the same foods.

A pair of physicists think it’s possible that a tiny black hole left over from the universe’s early days lurks in the outer solar system.

This month, NOVA is hosting three events that will dive into how autonomous vehicles work, how they may change the way we live, and whether we will ever be able to entrust them with our lives.

The study, originally published in June, contained an error that its authors caught months later.

Saharan silver ants don’t have the longest limbs. But they make up for it with a sprightly combination of fast pacing, light-footedness, and synchronized stepping that effectively turns their six legs into two.

Nearly half a billion years ago, marine arthropods called trilobites lined up single-file before meeting a tragic end.

Researchers aren’t sure how these birds maintain this deafening mating ritual without damaging their hearing.

Researchers have uncovered a new category of giant storm on Saturn’s surface.

Researchers used artificial intelligence to reevaluate elevations vulnerable to rising sea levels.

The relationships these winged mammals forge in captivity are strong enough to survive the jarring transition back into the wild.

Leonardo da Vinci dissected some 30 cadavers in his lifetime, leaving behind a trove of beautiful—and accurate—anatomical drawings.

Scientists are using artificial cervices and 3D models of the uterus to better understand pregnancy and childbirth.

As law enforcement agencies deploy AI-powered facial recognition systems, some communities are pushing back, insisting on having a say in how they’re used.

In 2018 and 2019, data from NASA’s Juno mission revealed new discoveries about Jupiter’s bizarre magnetic field.

NOVA Labs Intern Chloe Nosan reflects on her experience working on the platform's newest resource on global climate change: The Polar Lab.

Five episodes exploring the revolution and ethics of technology.

Sam Hill takes on his local trails for some raw riding action.
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A look behind the scenes at the creation of the GT LTS from development to racing with the GT Factory Racing team.
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As a professional international downhill mountain biker, and now commentator, Andrew 'Needles' Neethling brings 18 years of experience in all aspects of the cycling industry into podcast form.
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