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Not all plastic are evil, but we could all probably do with a whole lot less. Check out these great ideas — from a googly-eyed trash catcher to a styrofoam substitute made from mushrooms — and learn some small steps you can take right now.

Anti-corruption activist Charmian Gooch argues that corporate secrecy and political unrest are connected — and that ending anonymous companies is a step towards global stability.

For many young black men in America, systemic bias and racism make the simplicity of childhood unjustly complicated. In a letter to the son he may someday have, poet Clint Smith reflects on the lessons he learned as a child and shares his hopes for his future son.

Right here in our solar system, researchers think these three small ocean-containing bodies — Saturn’s Enceladus and Titan and Jupiter’s Europa — just might harbor the conditions for existence to begin.

If English teacher (and citizen scientist) Hanny van Arkel can discover a rare astronomical object in her spare time, maybe you can too.

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal used to believe that stress is bad for your health. Then, new research changed her mind. Here are 7 studies that suggest new ways of looking at stress.

Behavioral economist Dan Ariely points out the surprising joy and engagement we feel when we make things

Chances are, you don’t know much about tapirs. Don’t feel bad; neither do scientists. TED Fellow and conservationist Patricia Medici shares photos of the lowland tapir and explains why these elusive creatures provide far more than just your day’s “awww, cute!” moment.

Analysts, reporters, and “big thinkers” everywhere love to talk about Gross Domestic Product. It has become the yardstick by which we measure a country’s success. But, argues Michael Green, it’s also potentially misleading. His alternative? The Social Progress Index, which measures things like basic human needs and opportunity.

Chemist Rebecca Abergel and her colleagues have found a way to remove radioactive contaminants from the body. Now they are trying to put their solution in a pill.