nature
New fossils reveal first known swimming dinosaur
Non-avian dinosaurs were thought terrestrially bound, but newly unearthed fossils suggest they conquered prehistoric waters, too.
The most dangerous place on Earth 100 million years ago
The Sahara is a harsh environment today. It used to be much, much, worse.
Lizards develop new chemical language to attract mates in predator-free environments
Researchers decoded the love signals of lizards "spoken" through chemical signals.
Ask an atheist: Does the universe have a purpose?
All that matters is the here and now.
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Flamingos form long-term friendships and “cliques”
These pink feathered folk form complex social networks and are choosy about who they spend their time with, according to a new study.
Polar explorer Erling Kagge: Why risk makes life meaningful
Playing it safe and always taking the easy road can be obstacles to happiness, says professional adventurer Erling Kagge.
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This 103-year-old philosopher’s to-do list will get you through self-isolation
Need to isolate? No problem! This philosopher is keeping the world posted on his isolation routine by Facebook.
The growth of an organism rides on a pattern of waves
Study shows ripples across a newly fertilized egg are similar to ocean and atmospheric circulations.
How geocachers navigate fear in the urban woods
Because geocaches are always hidden out of sight, players often have to behave in out-of-the-ordinary ways to reach them.
The art of walking: How this everyday act can bring you inner peace
Here's how to exercise your curiosity and truly experience the world.
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Why helicopter parenting backfires on kids
Childhood is an important developmental feature of being human. Helicopter parenting disrupts that.
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‘Waterworld’ was a documentary? Geologists think Earth could have once been 100% ocean
The Hollywood blockbuster may have been right, if only 3.2 billion years off the mark.
The pagan origins of three Catholic practices
A few traditions in the Roman Catholic Church can be traced back to pagan cults, rites, and deities.
American families waste a third of the food they purchase
On average, American households dump the equivalent of $1,900 worth of food a year.
Nature-deficit disorder: What kids lose by not experiencing the outdoors enough
Research explains the positive impact and health benefits of children spending more time in nature.
20 inspiring nature words you didn’t know you needed
Hundreds more are documented in Robert Macfarlane's Landmarks.
Grandmas may be key to species survival, says new study
New research on killer whales may shine a light on the evolutionary power of menopause.
Choosing new ‘umbrella’ species in Australia could save many others
Is the way we choose which animals to protect out of date?
World’s oldest forest found in New York state
The 385-million-year-old fossils show that trees evolved modern features millions of years earlier than previously estimated.
Genius Series: The most influential scientist of all time
Big Think has launched a line of apparel and goods that celebrate the life and work of four geniuses.
Is it possible to have too many trees?
Thinning forests in the Western United States can save billions of gallons of water per year and improve conservation efforts.
Life lessons from the sun
Observing the great gas giant helps me to keep important things in perspective.
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Gravity is not uniform. It varies geographically.
As this map of Bouguer's gravity anomaly shows, the pull of the earth varies considerably by region.
The evolution of climate science
Since the late 1800s, what we know has advanced light years ahead.
Tangible pervasiveness
Matter can indeed sprout out of nothingness, causing the universe to expand.
Robots to the rescue?
First of a 3-part series about future technologies and their role in human flourishing.