Maria Temming

Maria Temming

Assistant Editor, Science News Explores

Previously the staff writer for physical sciences at Science News, Maria Temming is the assistant editor at Science News Explores. She has undergraduate degrees in physics and English from Elon University and a master's degree in science writing from MIT. She has written for Scientific American, Sky & Telescope and NOVA Next. She’s also a former Science News intern.

All Stories by Maria Temming

  1. a curled robotic finger covered in living human skin against a blue backdrop
    Tech

    Scientists grew living human skin around a robotic finger

    In the hopes of one day building super realistic cyborgs, researchers built a robotic finger that wears living human skin.

  2. a row of vials, three filled with moon dirt, including one with a thale cress seedling
    Plants

    These are the first plants grown in moon dirt

    The first attempt to grow plants in Apollo samples from the moon shows the promise and potential struggles of farming in lunar soil.

  3. a photo of a jojoba shrub branch of with green acorn shaped seeds hanging off of it

    50 years ago, scientists thought a desert shrub might help save endangered whales

    Fifty years ago, scientists sought a sustainable alternative to prized oil from endangered sperm whales.

  4. photo of a boa constrictor consuming prey
    Animals

    Here’s how boa constrictors squeeze their dinner without suffocating themselves

    Carefully controlled breathing allows boa constrictors to pull off their signature move without cutting off their own air supply.

  5. a close-up photo of a desk. One hand on a computer keyboard while the other hand takes notes
    Science & Society

    How Science News has been a training ground for young science journalists

    A long-standing internship along with informal mentorship are part of the tradition at Science News.

  6. photo collage the in shape of the number 100
    Science & Society

    We’re celebrating a century of Science News

    Across a century of science journalism, Science News has covered the Scopes trial, the moonwalk, Dolly the Sheep and more.

  7. a quantum gravity sensor comprised of a black box connected to a cylinder sits on a sidewalk
    Quantum Physics

    A new gravity sensor used atoms’ weird quantum behavior to peer underground

    Quantum sensors promise to be more accurate and stable in the long run than other gravity probes.

  8. a photo of the demolioshed Arecibo Observatory
    Planetary Science

    50 years ago, Arecibo got an unprecedented view of Venus’ surface

    Over its 57-year lifetime, Arecibo’s radar system measured the mountains around Venus’ middle, studied the textures of many rocky bodies in outer space and more.

  9. image of a cheese grater with a smiley face
    Neuroscience

    Americans tend to assume imaginary faces are male

    When people see imaginary faces in everyday objects, those faces are more likely to be perceived as male, a new study shows.

  10. A goldfish in a clear tank that is attached to wheels
    Animals

    Here’s what goldfish driving ‘cars’ tell us about navigation

    When measuring intelligence, the saying goes, don’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. But what about its ability to drive a vehicle?

  11. mosquito
    Animals

    50 years ago, scientists were genetically modifying mosquitoes

    In 1971, scientists turned to genetics to control disease-spreading mosquitoes without DDT. Today, there are a variety of pesticide-free methods.

  12. illustration of the space rock Kamoʻoalewa drifting above the moon, with Earth in view in the distance
    Space

    A space rock called Kamoʻoalewa may be a piece of the moon

    New observations reveal the possible origins of a mysterious object called Kamoʻoalewa. It could be the wreckage from an ancient impact on the moon.