Anna Funk

Dr. Anna Funk is a writer, editor, and ecologist. She has a PhD in plant and evolutionary biology from Michigan State University, has published numerous scientific papers, and was previously an editor at Discover Magazine.

Anna’s writing has appeared in Discover, Inverse, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, among other publications. She is based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Not a Pokémon

Scientists want to map the genome of a slime-shooting worm — here's why

The velvet worm is a slime-shooting carnivore straight out of Pokémon.

By Anna Funk
Tokyo Olympics

Olympic world records broken in 2021: The science behind the spectacle

At the Tokyo Olympics, runners are shattering old records left and right. Here's the science behind how Olympic athletes keep breaking world records.

By Anna Funk
Tokyo Olympics

Olympic skateboarding doesn’t defy physics — it perfects it

“At some point, gravity’s going to win, no matter how fast you’re going.”

By Anna Funk
Olympic Science

Twisties and yips: Simone Biles reveals a powerful mind-body connection

An expert explains why versions of “lost move syndrome” are a real problem for all athletes. This umbrella term covers the "yips" and "twisties."

By Anna Funk
Just a number

A dangerous Olympic myth about age is being debunked

“It’s advantageous for the young gymnast to see that your career can go past the age of 16.”

By Anna Funk
Science

To protect Earth, humans need to redefine what is the "best" nature

Only 17 percent of Earth’s land has actually been uninhabited over the past 12,000 years.

By Anna Funk
Frog hack

Self-healing “Xenobots” mean a future with living machines

Scientists hack frog cells so they self-heal.

By Anna Funk
Inception

Scientists can implant false memories — and reverse them

Scientists figure out two new ways to root out false memories.

By Anna Funk
Molten

Magma ocean discovery illuminates Earth’s extremely metal past

Researchers find physical signatures of Earth’s primordial magma ocean.

By Anna Funk
Reverse, reverse

To predict a cataclysmic future, scientists explore Earth’s geomagnetic past

A new study finds a 700-year-old geomagnetic anomaly.

By Anna Funk