PLOSable Biology

Scientists are learning new things every day. They are also writing about their discoveries. In most cases they publish in science magazines called journals like the Public Library of Science (PLOS). In our PLOSable section you will find stories that will help you read and explore the articles written by scientists.

Now jump in and start exploring PLOSable - a place where firsthand science is only a mouse click away. If you're interested in diving even further into the world of the scientific article, check out our Anatomy of an Article story. We also have stories exploring articles in evolutionary medicine in our EvMed Edits section.

A Warmer Future for National Parks?

Written by:

Michelle Sullivan

Are we robbing ourselves of our own natural treasures? A team of scientists is investigating how human-caused climate change is affecting U.S. National Parks.

A Win-Win with Wind

Written by:

Melanie Sturm

When we think about using the natural power of the earth, like sun or wind, we don't usually think about how this might hurt animals. But researchers are finding that we can use sustainable energy while still taking care of our flying friends.

Aerial Ant Acrobatics

Written by:

Andrew Burchill

Trap-jaw ants come with spring-loaded jaws that can snap shut faster than any other animal's. But they may also use their jaws to catapult themselves through the air.

Always Judge a Grouse by its Cover

Written by:

Veerta Singh

Whoever came up with the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” probably never met the Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi). For the Chinese Grouse, judging a mate by its cover is actually the way to go.

Amoeba Families Stick Together

Written by:

Ben Pirotte

Families are important to many animals, but are they also important to organisms made of just one cell? For amoebas, the ability to recognize relatives can make a world of difference.

Angiosperms: A Guide to World Domination

Written by:

Connor Chato

Flowering plants, called angiosperms, are absolutely everywhere (even in Antarctica!). They are some of the most successful living things around. But what made them so successful?

Ants Can Feed Plants

Written by:

Jessica Tay Ying Ling

Ants can move nutrients from one area to another in the forest. When ants build their homes inside a plant, does the food they carry and store also help the plant?

Are Plankton Ocean Super Stars?

Written by:

Laura Lach

Plankton are ocean creatures so small we can't see them without a microscope, but just because they are small doesn't mean they don't play an important role in the ocean ecosystem.

Bacteria and Fungi Battle On Bat Skin

Written by:

Nubia Erandi Maldonado Pérez

A dangerous fungus arrived in North America from Eurasia that has been killing millions of bats. Is it possible that bacteria that are already on the bats' skin are their best allies in fighting this fungus?

Bacteria in the Belly of the Bee

Written by:

Tyler Quigley

Honeybees need the bacteria in their bellies to stay healthy, but the medicine we give them may be wiping them out.

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