Flowers may be more ancient than dinosaurs – but scientists can’t agree on when they evolved

The origin date for flowers is a source of debate among scientists – but a new approach may help bring clarity to the question.

Ruolin Wu, PhD student in Paleobiology, University of Bristol • conversation
April 9, 2024 ~8 min

Happier, more connected neighborhoods start right in the front yard

A new study shows how front yards can serve as windows into the inner lives of their residents – and their feelings about their home, neighborhood and city.

Kelly Gregg, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, University at Buffalo • conversation
April 8, 2024 ~9 min


Early spring brings a ‘hungry gap’ for bees – here’s how you can help

Check that something is blooming every week, March through October, to help bees.

Matthias Becher, Associate Research Fellow in Behavioural Ecology, University of Exeter • conversation
March 28, 2024 ~7 min

Flowers grown floating on polluted waterways can help clean up nutrient runoff and turn a profit

Phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to water pollution and cause harmful algal blooms. New research shows how mats of floating flower beds can take advantage of these nutrients while cleaning the water.

Krishnaswamy Jayachandran, Professor of Agroecology, Florida International University • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~5 min

Flowering plants survived the dinosaur-killing asteroid – and may outlive us

The fossil record tells conflicting stories about what happened to flowering plants after the asteroid.

Jamie Thompson, Postdoctoral Evolutionary Biologist, University of Bath • conversation
Sept. 13, 2023 ~8 min

How do spices get their flavor?

Humans have figured out how to season their food with virtually every part of plants.

Beronda L. Montgomery, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Grinnell College • conversation
June 19, 2023 ~5 min

How a 400 million year old fossil changes our understanding of mathematical patterns in nature

The arrangement of leaves on most plants follows a mathematical pattern – new research sheds light on how it evolved.

Holly-Anne Turner, PhD Candidate, Palaeobotany, University College Cork • conversation
June 16, 2023 ~7 min

Tiny but tenacious: arctic-alpine plants are engineers and warning bells

Why we need to pay more attention to these minute flowers and how they survive in some of the harshest places in the world.

Sarah H. Watts, PhD researcher in plant ecology and conservation, University of Stirling • conversation
May 24, 2023 ~8 min


Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here's a look at how they navigate the world

Scientists are learning amazing things about bees’ sensory perception and mental capabilities.

Stephen Buchmann, Adjunct Professor of Entomology and of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona • conversation
May 17, 2023 ~9 min

Achoo! 5 essential reads for pollen season

Pollen brings seasonal misery to millions of Americans, but it serves a critical purpose: fertilizing many kinds of plants, including food crops.

Jennifer Weeks, Senior Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation • conversation
April 21, 2022 ~8 min

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