John R. Platt is a freelance journalist specializing in environmental issues, cutting-edge technology, and entrepreneurship. He writes about endangered species for Scientific American and green technology for several publishers. John lives on the coast of Maine where he spends his spare time drawing cartoons. Visit him online at www.johnrplatt.com.
Can bananas fend off fatal fungus?
August 26, 2019, 11:55 a.m. by John Platt
Devastating banana fungus continues to spread to new parts of the globe.
Does Amazon Prime have to be so wasteful?
June 24, 2019, 12:34 p.m. by John Platt
Does the ease of free, one-click shipping outweigh the potential environmental costs?
What is Valley fever?
June 17, 2019, 12:16 p.m. by John Platt
This potentially deadly fungal infection has been called California's 'silent epidemic.'
Chagas disease more deadly than we thought
April 25, 2019, 10:17 a.m. by John Platt
Transmitted by the kissing bug, this parasite can damage the heart.
U.S. seafood is widely mislabeled, report finds
March 8, 2019, 1:57 p.m. by John Platt
Seafood fraud remains rampant in the U.S., according to a new report, with one in five samples mislabeled.
Starfish make remarkable comeback in California years after deadly disease outbreak
January 31, 2019, 10:20 a.m. by John Platt
The disease caused starfish to lose their limbs, dissolve and die.
Scientists discover 60% wild coffee species are under threat of extinction
January 17, 2019, 12:14 p.m. by John Platt
The world's most popular type, Arabica, is now listed as endangered.
Is beach restoration a forever task?
September 28, 2018, 11:18 a.m. by John Platt
Beaches change — whether from natural erosion or from storms such as Hurricane Florence. That's where human intervention can play a role.
You can thank 1940s sex symbol Hedy Lamarr for today's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices
August 7, 2018, 10:57 a.m. by John Platt
The actress helped invent spread-spectrum radio technology, the precursor of modern wireless communications.
Fabled 'Gate to Hell' really did kill people — and now we know why
July 30, 2018, 10:19 a.m. by John Platt
The ancient Romans saw 'Pluto's Gate' as the entrance to the underworld.
Invasive plant that can cause blindness pops up in Virginia for first time
June 18, 2018, 10:10 a.m. by John Platt
Touching a giant hogweed can cause burns and even blindness.
Cyberslacking boosts workplace productivity
May 21, 2018, 11:08 a.m. by John Platt
Checking Facebook and laughing at LOLcats makes you a more productive worker, research shows.
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Border collies run like the wind to bring new life to Chilean forest
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9 of the world's largest dog breeds
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How to break your rotisserie chicken habit
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Parallel worlds exist and interact with our world, say physicists
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The truth about the tree that grows 'brains' and scares small children
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Thanks to seed savers, Glass Gem corn exists
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Your 2019 fall foliage guide
Now you know the best time to be a 'leaf peeper' in any part of the U.S.
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Why do leaves change color in autumn?
Learn about the natural mechanisms that produce breathtaking fall foliage each year.
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Test your fall knowledge
The days are getting shorter and pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere: It must be fall.
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10 best places outside the U.S. for fall color
These places around the world that equal U.S. locales when it comes to colorful scenery.
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5 classic fall recipes
Roasted veggies and soups of all kinds are what we're talking about.
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