McKenzie Prillaman was the Spring 2023 science writing intern at Science News. She holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor in bioethics from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Glassy eyes may help young crustaceans hide from predators in plain sight
Fledgling crustaceans have eyes like the sea, a peculiarity that could help them hide from predators. Young shrimp, crab or lobster larvae already rock nearly translucent bodies to stay out of view. But dark eye pigments essential for vision pose the risk of exposing the animals anyway. Some see-through ocean animals rely on mirrored irises […]
Jumping beans’ random strategy always leads to shade — eventually
Given enough time, jumping beans will always find their way out of the sun. Jumping beans, which are really seed pods with twitchy moth larvae inside, hop around in a way that — if they live long enough — is guaranteed to eventually land them in the shade, researchers report in a study to appear […]
Insect swarms might generate as much electric charge as storm clouds
You might feel a spark when you talk to your crush, but living things don’t require romance to make electricity. A study published October 24 in iScience suggests that the electricity naturally produced by swarming insects like honeybees and locusts is an unappreciated contributor to the overall electric charge of the atmosphere. “Particles in the […]
Here’s how polar bears might get traction on snow
Here’s how polar bears might get traction on snow