The Future of Space Travel Could Come Down to This Potato

National Geographic got an exclusive look behind the scenes at Brazil’s efforts to prep future space farmers for agriculture beyond Earth.

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National Geographic

A Million Falcons Went Missing From Eastern Europe. Here’s How They Were Found

For years, the secret winter home of rare red-footed falcons remained a mystery. Then an ornithologist discovered the hidden world of “Falcopolis.”

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National Geographic

The Hidden Toll Extreme Heat Has on Pregnancy

With global temperatures on the rise, researchers are confronting an increasingly urgent problem: the impact of extreme heat on expectant mothers and their babies.

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National Geographic

50 of our favorite U.S. state parks

From Niagara Falls to the Redwood Forests, state parks preserve many of the nation’s iconic landscapes and historic treasures. With more than 10,000 to choose from, here’s a look at one from each state.

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National Geographic

Ancient Polynesians Took a 1,700-Year Break From Voyaging. This Is Why They Returned to the Sea.

Researchers have long debated why the Pacific's most skilled navigators suddenly resumed sailing after their "Long Pause." A new study offers a clue.

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National Geographic

Why Some People Are Born With Devastating Gene Mutations—And Never Get Sick

Scientists have long believed that disease-causing genetic variants inevitably lead to disease. But a sea change of research is turning that assumption on its head.

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National Geographic

The Sun’s Magnetic Field is Behaving Oddly. Astronomers Still Don’t Know Why.

Scientists say our star might be in a midlife crisis of sorts. What does that mean for life?

8 min read