Picture in 500 Words | Life & News

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

An Akkadian cylinder seal, circa 2350-2150 B.C.E., depicts a contest scene. The image on the right shows the impression the seal would make. Gift of Nanette B. Kelekian, in memory of Charles Dikran and Beatrice Kelekian, 1999/Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art

Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what...

Staff Writer - November 3, 2025

Serdar Yalçin, Macalester College The earliest form of the signature came from ancient Iraq in the form of cylinder...

Do the seemingly endless doorways represent a woman trapped in domesticity or infinite ways out? Philadelphia Museum of Art

Art

How Dorothea Tanning’s ‘Birthday’ painting challenged male-dominated surrealism

Staff Writer - September 29, 2025

Sally Jane Brown, West Virginia University When American artist Dorothea Tanning painted “Birthday” in 1942, she announced her arrival...

EXPLORING NATURE

Wheat infected by Fusarium, a toxic fungus, has kernels that appear white with orange at the base. Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/picture alliance via Getty Images

Business

What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus a Chinese scientist pleaded guilty...

Staff Writer - November 13, 2025

Tom W. Allen, Mississippi State University A Chinese plant scientist at the University of Michigan who drew national attention...

What counts as success in species recovery? U.S. Forest Service via AP

Wildlife recovery means more than just survival of a species

October 31, 2025

The popularity of rural cemeteries spurred the development of the first city parks. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Symbolism of cemetery plants: How flowers, trees and other botanical motifs...

October 31, 2025

Molds on foods produce a range of microbial toxins and biochemical byproducts that can be harmful. JulieAlexK/iStock via Getty Images

Why you can salvage moldy cheese but never spoiled meat −...

October 28, 2025

Pumpkin patch excursions have become a fall staple in many U.S. households. Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images

Pumpkins’ journey from ancient food staple to spicy fall obsession spans...

October 27, 2025