Biological sex is far from binary − this college course examines the science of sex diversity in people, fungi and across the animal kingdom
Spanning evolutionary biology, genetics, development, neurobiology, endocrinology and psychology, as well as current events and sports, students explore the complexities of the biology of sex.
Ari Berkowitz, Presidential Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Biology; Director, Cellular & Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program, University of Oklahoma •
conversation
Oct. 23, 2023 • ~6 min
Oct. 23, 2023 • ~6 min
Engineers and economists prize efficiency, but nature favors resilience – lessons from Texas, COVID-19 and the 737 Max
Disasters highlight the cost of society's love of efficiency. Nature, in contrast, favors resilience. Being more like nature offers benefits for society, especially in the face of the climate crisis.
Moshe Y. Vardi, Professor of Computer Science, Rice University •
conversation
May 18, 2021 • ~11 min
May 18, 2021 • ~11 min
Virgin births from parthenogenesis: How females from some species can reproduce without males
Parthenogenesis, a form of reproduction in which an egg develops into an embryo without being fertilized by sperm, might be more common than you realized.
Mercedes Burns, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• conversation
Dec. 15, 2020 • ~6 min
Dec. 15, 2020 • ~6 min
Coral sex: how reproducing species in the lab could be key to restoring reefs in the wild
Sexual reproduction helps keep coral colonies diverse and resilient. Now, scientists are doing it in a lab to restock flagging reefs.
Jenny Mallon, PhD Candidate in Coral Reef Biogeochemistry, University of Glasgow •
conversation
Aug. 18, 2020 • ~7 min
Aug. 18, 2020 • ~7 min
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