Deborah Balthazar

Deborah Balthazar

Science writing intern, Fall 2022

Deborah Balthazar was the Fall 2022 science writing intern at Science News. She has previously worked as a hyperlocal government reporter and a substitute science teacher. She holds a B.A. in biology with minors in English and chemistry from Caldwell University and a master's degree in science journalism from New York University.

All Stories by Deborah Balthazar

  1. An image of a rainbow tie dye background with two frogs, ants, fish and coral overlays.
    Animals

    The Sonoran Desert toad can alter your mind — it’s not the only animal

    Their psychedelic and other potentially mind-bending compounds didn't evolve to give people a trip.

  2. image of male and female orb spiders mating
    Animals

    These are our favorite animal stories of 2022

    Goldfish driving cars, skydiving salamanders and spiders dodging postcoital death are among the critters that most impressed the Science News staff.

  3. A photo of six old fashioned golden weight in a line from the smallest weight to the left and the biggest weight on the right, all on a black background
    Math

    The metric system is growing. Here’s what you need to know

    Science News spoke with a metrologist about the metric system’s latest update, which will help scientists interpret exceedingly big and small numbers.

  4. An elephant seen behind an electric fence
    Animals

    A new book asks: What makes humans call some animals pests?

    In an interview with Science News, science journalist Bethany Brookshire discusses her new book, Pests, and why humans vilify certain animals.

  5. A white rat inside a clear case with a one red dot on its tail and three colored dots in a straight line on its head
    Neuroscience

    Rats can bop their heads to the beat

    Rats’ rhythmic response to human music doesn’t mean they like to dance, but it may shed light on how brains evolved to perceive rhythm.

  6. Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans shows fungal growths that look like broccoli clusters
    Microbes

    How fungi make potent toxins that can contaminate food

    Genetically engineering Aspergillus fungi to delete certain proteins stops the production of mycotoxins that can be dangerous to human health.

  7. photo of a woman holding and trying to settle a crying baby
    Humans

    How to get a crying baby to sleep, according to science

    Science has come up with a recipe for lulling a crying baby to sleep: Carry them for five minutes, sit for at least five more and then lay them down.