Lucy's 3 million-year-old bones were found in 1974, but they're still yielding new clues about human evolution.

One of eastern North America's most iconic animals vanished forever on Sept. 1, 1914. Now, 97 years later, the passenger pigeon has become an icon for something

Sea otters are dying from a parasite spread by outdoor cats, according to a new study.

The blue-tailed skink of Christmas Island may be extinct in the wild, but scientists have a plan to bring it back.

In 'agrivoltaics,' crops and solar panels not only share land and sunlight, but also help each other function more efficiently.

The benefits of 'blue space' may be especially important for lower-income communities, researchers say.

The Kirtland's warbler was nearly extinct in the 1970s, but now the bird has recovered and is coming off the endangered species list.

Known as the 'crown jewel' of U.S. national forests, this ancient ecosystem is at a crossroads.

The endangered ghost orchid lives up to its name in several ways.

The ocean is rising faster than it has in 3,000 years. Here's why you should care.

The U.S. retreat from the Paris Agreement is bad news for the world, but it could be even worse for the U.S. itself.

U.S. presidents haven't always pardoned their Thanksgiving turkeys, but in recent years the surreal ceremony has become an American tradition.

This is the first time scientists have recorded the heart rate of a blue whale, the largest animal on Earth.

Did you know prehistoric mushroom cults may have inspired Santa Claus? Here are a few more interesting facts you may not know about magic mushrooms

A program in Colorado's Delta County aims to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.

From freshly fallen snow to ancient ice sheets, frozen water is often much livelier than it looks.

The black rhino calf appears healthy and is nursing regularly, according to zoo officials.

Researchers hope to help humans borrow some secrets of bear biology.

If you leave a hummingbird feeder out in winter, will it help the birds or tempt them not to migrate?

Even after nurturing and enchanting humans for thousands of years, this iconic river is still full of surprises.

The move would weaken the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Extra food seems especially helpful early in the breeding season, according to a new study.

If your dinner conversation turns into a debate over global warming, here are a few tips for dealing with a climate denier.

Penguins are getting a chance to explore facilities that are closed to human visitors due to COVID-19.

Isolating ourselves during the coronavirus pandemic isn't as unnatural as it feels.

Pennsylvania woman who fell into a mall fountain while texting — becoming an instant Internet sensation in the process — has hired an attorney.

Western parents assail author of 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,' but Amy Chua says she wasn't trying to compare cultures.

The 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest focuses on nature, cities and people. Here are the stunning winners.

El Paso and Dayton are in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. If you're wondering what you can do as individual, here are steps you can take.

Inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, kids and teens around the world are protesting to get adults to act on climate change.

Wine from Rioja Alavesa, the Basque subregion of Rioja, has been named a UNESCO Biosphere Responsible Tourism region.

Prepare to be a little freaked out and then rush to your refrigerator to try this method of eating an apple for yourself.

There's processed food and then there's ultra-processed food. One of them adds a lot more sugar to our diets than we realize.

Mooncakes are a traditional part of the Mid-Autumn Chinese festival. But there's more to the legend of this pricey pastry.

Backyard chickens have been linked to salmonella outbreaks, in part because some owners are getting too cozy with their feathered friends.

Spotted lanternflies are hitching a ride on everything from camping gear to Christmas trees.

There's not a lot of Thanksgiving music out there, but there's one song that's a can't miss while cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

Activated charcoal foods may be Instagram-worthy, but are they good for you?

Here's how to know when frozen food is past its prime, plus what can you do to make food last longer in the freezer.

Passover moves around our modern calendar, but it always falls on the same day on the Jewish calendar.

Some say evolving bugs and lax oversight are making salmonella even more dangerous.

As summer thunderstorms loom across the U.S., MNN sheds some light on lightning -- one of the deadliest and least-understood weather events on Earth.

Overfishing sent many U.S. fisheries into free fall last century. Can a new focus on sustainability save fish and fishermen from going extinct?

It's almost inescapable, and while the FDA says BPA is safe at normal levels, a growing body of research has begun to suggest otherwise.

Glaciers around the world are melting faster than usual, threatening to eliminate some of our largest and oldest freshwater sources. Should we be worried?

The U.S. endangered species list isn't all gloom and doom: Just ask a bald eagle. Nonetheless, 93 species have joined the list for every one it's saved.

From West Nile virus to dengue fever, mosquitoes seem to be getting better at sneaking diseases into the U.S. lately. It's just a hint of what's to come.

A process known as "coral bleaching" has triggered near-record rates of death and dormancy in coral reefs. At least 19 percent of Earth's coral reefs are dead.

What is fracking and is fracking safe? The controversial natural gas drilling technique has some wondering if a U.S. natural gas boom is worth the risks.

A silent killer lurks undetected in millions of U.S. homes, and winter is its peak season. Find out how to stop it.