Minerals: The Valuable Gifts of Nature
by Kawther Alhamadah Science Below the Surface
Early in its 4.5 billion years of history, a molten Earth began to solidify its rocky surface, creating an atmosphere, […]
Genetic Leapfrog: How Zoonotic Viruses Jump Species
by Madeline Rollins Science Below the Surface
Eating a porkchop. Getting a mosquito bite. Playing with your dog. Interactions with animals are a common yet significant part […]
Sonoluminescence: Where sound and light meet
by Kawther Alhamadah Science Below the Surface
A solar cell turns light from the sun into electricity. A car’s engine turns the heat of burning gasoline into […]
From Geysers to COVID Testing: The Crucial Contributions of Basic Research
by Evelyn “Eve” Suva Science Below the Surface
On my walks around Chicago, I pass dozens of COVID-19 testing sites drawing people inside with sandwich boards that read […]
If I didn’t HAB you: how bacteria work together in harmful algal blooms
by Vilhelmiina Haavisto Science Below the Surface
Lake Erie is one of several Midwestern lakes that is plagued by harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the summer months. […]
Exploring the Microbiome of Yellow Rays
by Matthew Scott Science Below the Surface
You are most likely a member of a community. This may include a city, your favorite sports team, your children’s […]
What Can We Learn from Sea Anemones?
by Helen Robertson Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us
If you’ve ever been stung by a jellyfish, then you’ve inadvertently encountered a representative from a group of animals called […]
Where Are All Our Cephalapods?
by Kristen Vogt Veggeberg Science Below the Surface
Imagine: you’re swimming in one of our many Great Lakes, enjoying a bit of socially-distanced fun while staying cool during […]
The Evolution of Theft in the Animal Kingdom
by Andrew Tremain Science Below the Surface
Animals are not usually capable of harnessing the sun’s energy—that’s plant business. But the solar-powered sea slug Elysia chlorotica, commonly […]
What Makes the Great Lakes So Great?
by Marianna Karagiannis Science Below the Surface
Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, with the Chicago skyline to my left and endless blue ahead of me, […]
Playing Nice with Fungi: Using Crops to Build Healthy Soil
by Lucas Chamberlain Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Soils have a PR problem. Think about it: Does dirt excite you? Are you energized by earth? For many of […]
Periodic Pandemonium: Exploring Chemistry’s Rule-Breakers
by Sarah Anderson Science Below the Surface
When I tell people that I study chemistry, the response is usually some version of “You must be bright” or […]
Mini-Brains and Soufflés? More Alike Than You Think
by Swathi Balaji People in Science , Science Around the House , Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us
Mini-brains—that’s right. It sounds like something from Frankenstein, doesn’t it? I gazed in awe as my mentor showed me these ‘mini-brains,’ aka cerebral […]
Machines Can Read Your Mind
by Maggie Colton People in Science , Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us , The "TEM" of STEM
A bionic woman trains her robotic ear to recognize the sound of footsteps two blocks away. A man taps on […]
A Fishy Solution: Zebrafish Help Us Understand Neurological Disorders
by Sweta Narayan People in Science , Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us
Last year, my 95-year-old grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. Although he lived a long life, it was hard to […]
A Day in the Life of a Garbage Scientist
by Lauren Wisbrock People in Science , Science Around the House , Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
As I stood, gazing intently down near my feet, I felt the water flow past my knees. Even with my […]
Does Sprinkles McFluffington have Resting Cat Face?
by Dana Simmons Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us
Why is your cat so judgmental? Sure, you’ve been lounging on the couch stuffing your face and binging on Netflix […]
Liquid Rocks and Where to Find Them
by Dana Simmons Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Summer in Illinois can feel unbearably hot, but how hot is that exactly? At 80ºF, Illinoisans can be found enjoying […]
A Spoonful of Insulin Makes the Blood Sugar Go Down
by Ananya Sen Science Below the Surface , Science Within Us
Imagine drinking ten glasses of sugar water. What would you do after? Wash out your mouth? Eat something salty? You’d […]
Living the Good Life in Uninhabitable Surroundings: How Microbes Adapt to Extreme Environments
by Ananya Sen Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Our planet is home to a diverse array of habitats. These can range from cozy, nutrient-rich, temperature-controlled havens to deadly, […]
From Complex to Simple: the Curious Case of Myxozoans
by Viraj Muthye Science Below the Surface
Sometimes, simplicity is key to success. In our attempts to understand the evolution of animals, from small, single-celled protists to […]
The Fate of the Flush: The Effects of Pharmaceuticals on Our Seas
by Ellis Moloney Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Plastic pollution in our oceans, lakes, and rivers has gained vast media attention over recent months, and rightly so: approximately […]
The Mystery of the DeYoung Diamond
by Dana Simmons Science Below the Surface
A mystery red gemstone is in front of you on a table. Is it a ruby? Is it a garnet? […]
Better Together: Symbiotic Relationships in the Sea
by Emily Dodd Science Below the Surface
This story begins with a giant worm that lives in one of the most inhospitable places in the planet. A […]
