January 2022 Issue
2021: The year in pictures
2021: The year in pictures
46 photographs from an unforgettable yearExploreSee more of 2021’s best photography, along with the most amazing discoveries of the year and the year’s biggest environmental wins.
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Animals
- Hundreds of dogs died in Virginia before the USDA actedHundreds of dogs died in Virginia before the USDA acted
- Shades of dark: the story of night photography, Video Story
- Paid Content
Shades of dark: the story of night photography - Dolphins can identify their friends by taste, study showsDolphins can identify their friends by taste, study shows
- These bats imitate hornets to avoid being eaten by owlsThese bats imitate hornets to avoid being eaten by owls
- Vaquita porpoises may still recover if illegal fishing endsVaquita porpoises may still recover if illegal fishing ends
- Tiny bat makes record-shattering flight with 1500-mile migrationTiny bat makes record-shattering flight with 1500-mile migration
- As drought worsens, can Kenyan communities coexist with wildlife?As drought worsens, can Kenyan communities coexist with wildlife?
Environment
- Activists fear a new threat to biodiversity—renewable energyActivists fear a new threat to biodiversity—renewable energy
- Next-gen weather station installed near Everest’s summitNext-gen weather station installed near Everest’s summit
- Climate change is eroding a precious resource: sleepClimate change is eroding a precious resource: sleep
- Global food crisis looms as fertilizer supplies dwindleGlobal food crisis looms as fertilizer supplies dwindle
- 13-foot-long stingray found in deep hole in Mekong River13-foot-long stingray found in deep hole in Mekong River
- Their house has stood 130 years. A new fire era may change that.Their house has stood 130 years. A new fire era may change that.
- Tree-planting projects abound. Which should you support?Tree-planting projects abound. Which should you support?
- Mining is a polluting business. Can new tech make it cleaner?Mining is a polluting business. Can new tech make it cleaner?
- Philippines' reefs are some of the most vibrant—but in perilPhilippines' reefs are some of the most vibrant—but in peril
- The biggest living thing on Earth is being nibbled to deathThe biggest living thing on Earth is being nibbled to death
- How the Ukraine war is accelerating Germany's energy transitionHow the Ukraine war is accelerating Germany's energy transition
History & Culture
- He defied Japanese incarceration in the U.S. during WWIIHe defied Japanese incarceration in the U.S. during WWII
- Dionysus, Greek god of wine, was more than just a 'party god'Dionysus, Greek god of wine, was more than just a 'party god'
- What happened to these four lost cities of ancient Africa?What happened to these four lost cities of ancient Africa?
- Hard hit by COVID-19, Black Americans are recovering slowlyHard hit by COVID-19, Black Americans are recovering slowly
- What was the mystery message written on the mummy's wrappings?What was the mystery message written on the mummy's wrappings?
- This woman navigates the Pacific without technologyThis woman navigates the Pacific without technology
- How U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimoniousHow U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious
- A Viking ship burial held riches—and a surprising mysteryA Viking ship burial held riches—and a surprising mystery
- Fleeing Venezuela, women migrants face callous indifferenceFleeing Venezuela, women migrants face callous indifference
- Buddhist treasures lay hidden inside these caves for centuriesBuddhist treasures lay hidden inside these caves for centuries
Science
- Monkeypox cases are rising—here’s what we know so farMonkeypox cases are rising—here’s what we know so far
- These oddball galaxies are missing their dark matterThese oddball galaxies are missing their dark matter
- New therapies revolutionize treatment for hard-to-heal woundsNew therapies revolutionize treatment for hard-to-heal wounds
- Why love and touch were once called ‘dangerous’ to children, Video StoryWhy love and touch were once called ‘dangerous’ to children
- Why it’s important to explore the science of touch
- Magazine
- From the Editor
Why it’s important to explore the science of touch - The audacious science pushing the boundaries of human touchThe audacious science pushing the boundaries of human touch
- Tooth from mysterious human relative found in LaosTooth from mysterious human relative found in Laos
- The secret behind lily pad strength and other science newsThe secret behind lily pad strength and other science news
- The first picture of the black hole at the center of our galaxyThe first picture of the black hole at the center of our galaxy
- Lost your smell to COVID-19? Here’s how to retrain your brain.Lost your smell to COVID-19? Here’s how to retrain your brain.
Travel
- The surprising history behind the Lincoln MemorialThe surprising history behind the Lincoln Memorial
- The surprising story of how the Philippines came to VirginiaThe surprising story of how the Philippines came to Virginia
- 10 places where you can ditch your car this summer10 places where you can ditch your car this summer
- Six parks telling surprising stories of the American SouthSix parks telling surprising stories of the American South
- Discover the natural wonders along Georgia’s coastDiscover the natural wonders along Georgia’s coast
- Here’s why hut-hiking is the best way to see New ZealandHere’s why hut-hiking is the best way to see New Zealand
- What’s ‘crack seed,’ one of Hawai‘i’s favorite snacks?What’s ‘crack seed,’ one of Hawai‘i’s favorite snacks?
- It was a toxic wasteland. Now it’s a national park.It was a toxic wasteland. Now it’s a national park.