Discover April 2016

National parks preserve nature's splendor for our enjoyment, but they also contain some of the finest outdoor science labs in the world. In this issue, you'll get an up-close look at key research projects underway at 10 different parks around the United States. Could venomous creepy-crawlies hold the keys to potent, non-addictive painkillers? See why biochemist Glenn King is more than happy to work with dinner plate-sized tarantulas and deadly scorpions.  
Then, see how a doctor's gamble in the 19th century paved the way for a new cancer treatment. Speaking of chance, are top poker players and other gamblers skilled or simply lucky? And another burning question: Are aliens behind a star's crazy light patterns? You'll find answers to these questions and more inside the April issue of Discover.

Voyager: The Man Behind the Mission
by Corey S. Powell
Ed Stone’s relentless pursuit of the frontier has taken him to the edge of the solar system — and beyond.
    
Deadly Venoms Help Rather Than Hurt
by Leah Shaffer
Venomous critters may inspire the next generation of painkillers.

Science in America's National Parks
by Kristin Ohlson
A century ago, Congress created the national park system — and ended up preserving some of the best research sites in the world.

Germ of an Idea: William Coley's Cancer-Killing Toxins
by Carl Engelking
In the 1890s, William Coley figured out a way to destroy cancerous tumors by injecting patients with toxic bacteria. Debunked at the time, his treatments laid the groundwork for modern immunotherapy.
    
Are the Best Gamblers Skilled, or Just Lucky?
by Adam Kucharski
From poker to horse racing, the statistics involved in coming out on top.