Undark Magazine
Non-profit & editorially independent. Exploring #science as a frequently wondrous, sometimes contentious, and occasionally troubling byproduct of human culture.
Writer1 story / day
Fates Intertwined: Vaquitas, Totoabas, and Fishing on the Sea of Cortez
As Mexico seeks to protect the vaquita, a critically endangered species of porpoise, idled anglers complain of illegal fishing and corruption.
‘Atomic Bill’ and the Birth of the Bomb
A star science reporter had unparalleled access to the Manhattan Project, as chronicler and cheerleader. The debate over his role continues to this day.
In Restricting Abortions, Lawmakers Skew Reproductive Science
In our weekly news roundup: abortion restrictions, a deadly virus threatening China’s pigs, mysterious methane emissions, and more.
Psychiatry, Racism, and the Birth of 'Sesame Street'
How an African-American psychiatrist helped design a groundbreaking television show as a radical therapeutic tool for helping minority preschoolers.
Interview: Susan Hockfield on the Dawn of the Biotech Revolution
The author of "The Age of Living Machines" argues that our new era of scientific innovation depends on the intersection of biology and engineering.
The March for Science Fizzled, but It Didn't Fail
Opinion | As participation dwindles, the event's true legacy may be the dialogue it sparked around the role of scientists in public policy.
Science, Sensationalism, and the Lessons of 'Insectageddon'
When the media fails to verify the rigor and credibility of a scientific study — or ignores its shortcomings entirely — everyone loses.
Healthy Coral Reefs Prevent Over a Billion Dollars of Flood Damage
Opinion | As natural flood barriers, coral reefs save the U.S. $1.8 billion in yearly property damage. Scientists hope this price tag can help save them.
Mothers Sharing Breastmilk: An Informal Trend With Serious Questions
As more women heed messages touting the benefits of breast milk over formula, online networks have sprung up to facilitate sharing. Is that safe?
The Methane Detectives: On the Trail of a Global Warming Mystery
The amount of heat-trapping methane in the atmosphere seemed to be leveling off when, in 2007, it began rising again quickly. Nobody yet knows why.
Down the River: The Allure and Perils of Hydropower
Damming rivers may seem like a clean and easy solution for Albania and other energy-hungry countries. But the devil is in the details.
Humans Are Driving A Million Species Towards Extinction, Says U.N. Report
In our weekly news roundup: a sobering report on biodiversity loss, sunscreen chemicals in the bloodstream, and more.
Ants, Humans, and the Warrior Instinct
Only humans and some social insects have large enough populations to engage in all-out warfare. How do such conflicts arise?
Genetic Medicine Is Poised to Create New Inequality. Here's How to Fix…
Opinion | To boost the participation of marginalized communities in genetic studies, doctors must first win back their trust.
In Swiss Academic Science, Charges of Bullying and Gender Bias
Following charges against a female scientist, some faculty at Switzerland's elite universities say the country has a gender equity problem.
Probiotics Could Help Frogs and Bats Fight Wildlife Epidemics
Opinion | Probiotics are touted for their potential health benefits in humans. Can they boost other organisms' immune systems and help fight wildlife diseases?
My Wife Is One More Reason to Have Your Kids Vaccinated
Opinion | Some people lack the ability to develop antibodies following the measles vaccine. My wife may be one of them, making herd immunity all the more vital.
For Patients With Memory Loss, Working Towards Better Diagnosis
New imaging analyses hint at progressive brain disorders like CTE, offering people with memory issues loss some difficult — but transformative — answers.
Cornflake Empire: The Kelloggs and America's Wellness Obsession
In a new book about the battling Kellogg brothers, Howard Markel tells of an epic rise and fall that went far beyond breakfast cereal.
Faceless Killer: The Invisible Threat of Air Pollution
In "Choked," Beth Gardiner travels the rich and poor worlds, armed with an air mask, to document the global toxic air crisis.
After Record-Breaking Storms, Mozambique Faces a Humanitarian Crisis
In our weekly news roundup: a second major storm complicates recovery efforts in Mozambique, researchers identify Denisovan jawbone, and more.
The Bad News About Delivering Bad News
Opinion | Doctors have turned to scientific studies for guidance on talking with patients, but the results have largely left them guessing.
From Poachers to Protectors in Uganda
In the Budongo Forest, veterinarian Caroline Asiimwe and her team — some of them former poachers — are working to save chimps. It's an uphill battle.