Science
Archive
A 14-woman crew sets out on a mission to test microplastics levels in remote regions of the world’s oceans
Your microbiome absolutely impacts your health, but taking postbiotic supplements won’t do anything to help
A bad sleeper tries to train her brain with the help of virtual jellyfish, space-flight simulations, and the URGOnight device
Researchers are searching for telltale clues in your strength, flexibility, or body position that signal an impending injury. It’s harder than you think.
For centuries, dowsers have claimed the ability to find groundwater, precious metals, and other quarry using divining rods and an uncanny intuition. Is it the real deal or woo-woo? Dan Schwartz suspends disbelief to see for himself.
A new analysis digs into who overheats and which conditions are most risky, with surprising results
The 46th president made big promises to move the United States toward a carbon-free future. What he’s accomplished so far has been impressive, but can he keep up the momentum?
Setting high goals is great, but how you deal with falling short determines how long you’re willing to keep chasing them
What separates the best endurance athletes from everyone else isn’t their amazing lab test data or power values—it’s how well they maintain those values after a few hours of exhausting exercise
Edgar McGregor started cleaning up Eaton Canyon near Los Angeles in May 2019, and he didn’t stop until it was spotless nearly two years later. We talked to McGregor about how to stay motivated to take care of the earth.
With the stroke of a pen, the secretary of the interior just undid most of Trump’s harmful energy policies
It’s easy—maybe a bit too easy—to believe that poor sleep leaves you more vulnerable to injury. But researchers aren’t so sure after all.
Two new books, ‘Under the Sky We Make’ and ‘Overheated,’ lay out a plan to overcome our cynicism and anxiety and realize a sustainable, carbon-free future
In his new book, ‘The Nation of Plants,’ botanist Stefano Mancuso suggests that human democracies may have something to learn from the world’s trees and flowers
The newly revamped TrainerRoad cycling app uses an advanced algorithm to create training programs custom-tailored to the user. Our writer gave it a go.
Maintaining the ability to hit top gear after your twenties is useful even for endurance athletes, and takes specific training
Challenge what you think you know about diets, nutrition, and why we eat the way we do
In his new book ‘A Most Remarkable Creature,’ indie musician and writer Jonathan Meiburg travels to the bottom of the planet to investigate a very strange bird of prey that puzzled Darwin himself
Running alone against the clock is very different from trying to beat other runners, but untangling how our minds process the challenge is “like knitting with spaghetti”
A new review assesses what it takes to maintain endurance and strength when circumstances interfere with your usual training
Changing hormone levels affect your tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and evidence is mounting that this can influence your chances of injury
Round out your training routine with exercises to help build explosive strength
Mental fatigue has become a hot topic for sports science researchers, but its effects remain controversial
A new book by the acclaimed science journalist Michelle Nijhuis looks at human attempts to save other species from extinction, from John Muir to the World Wildlife Fund
In an excerpt from ‘In Search of Mycotopia,’ a new book about different communities exploring the multiple uses of fungi and mushrooms, the author goes foraging with William Padilla-Brown, a rising star in the mycological movement
Vaccines are rolling out with increasing speed, but we’ll also need effective treatments, because new coronavirus cases will be a worldwide reality for years to come. Enter Jacob Glanville, a maverick San Francisco immunologist who believes he’s found an unparalleled path to healing.
Detailed power data from sprinter Marcel Kittel and climber Tom Dumoulin highlight the contrasting physiological demands faced by different riders
A new study explores how inner monologue varies between sports, situations, and experience levels
The billionaire philanthropist has thrown his wealth at some of the world’s most intractable problems, drawing both praise and criticism along the way. His approach to tackling the climate crisis is no different.
Inundated by text messages, one millennial decided to exclusively converse through this more classic form of communication
Tallying which articles are most frequently cited in later studies reveals the biggest trends in sports science—and some oversights
From a look at modern ghost towns to a documentary musical, these shows have something for everyone
As Jeff Bezos steps away from Amazon to focus his attention on initiatives like his year-old Earth Fund, it’s instructive to look at the impact of billionaire environmental philanthropy and how it could be more effective
Unlike heat training, repeated exposure to cold doesn't necessarily help you handle winter weather better
Why Apple’s CEO wants to make health and wellness the company’s greatest legacy
Alternatives to animal products aren't necessarily better for you
A revolutionary robotic device is opening up all kinds of new possibilities in the mountains
A new study plots the progression of thousands of people following an ultra-minimalist training plan. The results are impressive—at least initially.
Winning races when you’re young may seem like a good predictor of future success, but it’s not perfect
If even pacing is so great, why do the best runners in the world always seem to have another gear at the end?
Two new studies find performance benefits from high levels of the sunshine vitamin, but they're not the final word
A new study tries—and fails—to predict athletic greatness with a DNA test. Thank goodness.
Correctly timing all the elements of your taper can give you an extra edge on race day
The end of the Trump administration can't come soon enough for our climate and public lands. Thankfully, there are a series of actions our new president can immediately take to begin undoing the damage.
Pronation is out of favor, comfort is too vague, but maybe measuring your "habitual motion path" will guide you to a shoe that minimizes your injury risk
Top trail runners mix running and walking on steep terrain, but even scientists aren't sure how we choose which is better
We asked a range of experts how they see things shaking out during a very challenging time
A leading company redefines what it's actually measuring, and explains why that's what we really wanted all along
A new study explores the links between exercise and pain perception, and how easily they can be manipulated
More often than not, our biggest adventures are nothing like we expect them to be—in the best of ways
After half a century of confusion, researchers have a new perspective on the transition from "aerobic" to "anaerobic" exercise
When you stop breathing, oxygen flowing to your brain actually increases—at least for a while
When it comes to big purchases like skis and bikes, many of us are punching above or below our weight. Psychology helps explain why.
A basic principle of training says you get better at the things you do most. So why does cross-training work?
Wilderness pros are trained to deal with physical injuries, but what about the psychological trauma that can result while on an expedition, from fear and stress, or from watching someone die in a fall, an avalanche, or whitewater? Australian psychologist and mountaineer Kate Baecher created a training program to equip guides and athletes with a tool kit to handle the worst mental distress we encounter when we're far from help.
To pick their two-hour marathon team, researchers tested some of the greatest runners on the planet. Now they're revealing what they found.
Fatigue, writes our columnist, comes in two very different flavors, and fixing each requires a completely different approach
The marine biologist has become a leading voice in the movement by deftly communicating what few people understand: that cleaning up the planet requires a commitment to social justice
It was a roller coaster of a summer for Alaska's most controversial extraction project. In July, it looked all but certain that the salmon-threatening proposal would get its first federal permit. But then things took a surprising turn.
You don’t need an elaborate workout plan to get the most out of your resistance workout; you just need to tune into how you feel
Carbon offsets are confusing, and many people wonder how—or if—they even work. Hoping to find a more guilt-free way to travel, frequent flier Tim Neville heads to the ranchlands of Montana to see what an offset looks like on the ground. Hint: it involves cows.
A new review sifts through the evidence for and against hiking with poles
A new study suggests that slow-twitch runners can handle higher mileage than fast-twitch runners before showing signs of overtraining
These maps are packed with information about current conditions. All you need to know is how to interpret them.
According to Chris Watson, the man behind your favorite wildlife soundtracks, we're just becoming better listeners
Biology suggests that decades of running should invariably blow out your knees. Scientists are trying to understand why that doesn’t happen.
Wim Hof's teachings about breath work and the health benefits of cold plunges have attracted millions of followers who swear it has cured everything from depression to diabetes and makes them happier and stronger. Our writer traveled to Iceland (naturally) for a deep dive with the man and his methods.
Even compared to athletes from other sports, endurance athletes have a unique relationship with discomfort
The craft beer revolution turned the tall cousin of cannabis into a breakout ingredient, infusing your brew with flavors and aromas that range from stone fruit to barrel oak. Christopher Solomon hits the road to understand why hop madness isn’t over yet—and why brewers and plant breeders are always on the prowl for the next big thing.
In a new era of menacing blazes, there are lessons to be learned from the people who stay and defend their properties
Journalist James Nestor explains how humans started breathing wrong—and why relearning this lost art is so transformative
A new study asked coaches to rank the most economical runners after watching video footage. It didn't go well.
Experienced runners tend to match their breath and stride patterns, but trying to do it deliberately may backfire
The disruptions of 2020 mean that there’s an unusually large crop of endurance-related books hitting shelves this fall
A serious exploration of a topic that a lot of people don't take seriously
A new analysis casts doubt on the idea that people are born as "responders" or "non-responders" for training in thin air
With stormchasing tours more popular than ever, our writer set out to discover why this risky pastime is once again taking off
Are you planning a canoe trip this summer? Read this helpful advice from our Sweat Science columnist—he takes backcountry efficiency very seriously.
A new study suggests that strength training is more important than electrolytes for preventing cramps