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Sea otters have a favorite rock that they keep in a fur pocker under their arms. They have a clever reason for it

With their prized rocks tucked in built-in pockets, sea otters reveal a surprising tool-wielding intelligence.

Not Just an Urban Legend: Alligators and Other Animals Are Living in (Some) Sewers

From raccoons climbing manholes to alligators lurking in underground waterways, Florida’s stormwater sewers are more than just drainage systems.

The Wallace Line forms an invisible barrier that separates Asian and Australian species. Scientists now know what happened

Ever wondered why you won't find kangaroos outside Australia? It all started with massive climate change millions of years ago.

Why You Should Stop Using Scented Candles—For Good

The warm flicker and aroma of scented candles can create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. But beneath this cozy feel, scientific research is uncovering a troubling truth: these products are polluting the very air you breathe. Recent studies have revealed that all scented candles, even “flame-free” scented products—like wax melts—emit nanoparticles comparable to pollution […]

New Solar Tech Captures CO₂ from air and Turns It into Fuel

A new solar-powered direct air capture system not only removes CO₂ from the atmosphere but converts it into syngas, a key precursor for synthetic fuels.

How 'Dancing' Turtles Are Helping Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Navigation

Baby loggerhead turtles do an adorable "dance" when they sense food. This could help scientists uncover how they navigate the oceans.

Well-managed solar panels are actually good for wildlife

Researchers were concerned that solar panels could end up competing with wildlife havens. Turns out, the two aren't mutually exclusive.

The Invisible Threat: How Air Pollution Is Silently Reshaping Our Health

Air pollution claims millions of lives annually, but its full impact on human health is only now coming into focus.

Clever Birds: Cockatoos Like to Dip Their Food in Yogurt for Better Flavor

This newly observed behavior suggests advanced cognitive abilities, rivaling those of primates.

This Moth’s Wings Create a Mind-Bending 3D Optical Illusion to Avoid Being Eaten

A moth's flat wings fool predators into seeing an inedible 3D leaf.

Beavers Built a $1.2M Dam for Free — And Saved a Czech River

A Czech project that was stalled for years is now completed — by beavers.

This Bizarre Larva Has a Fake Face to Fool Termites

This rare blow fly species has larvae that fit right in with the termites down to copying their odor.

Whale Songs Follow the Same Mathematical Rule as Human Language

Whale song, though technically not a language, is organized in a familiar pattern.

Dutch scientists left a hamster wheel outside. Then, all the animals started playing with it

It seems that animals simply love to play.

No males required: shark mother gives birth despite only being surrounded by females

A female swell shark gives birth to a pup without coming in contact with a male, and now scientists are wondering how this is even possible.

Only Half a Degree of Warming Could Triple Earth’s Areas Too Hot for Human Survival

A new study reveals that even a slight rise in global temperatures could make vast areas of the planet too hot for human survival.

Some dolphins pee up into the air and we've only now learned this

Scientists believe this could be a form of social bonding — or even an unusual way of smelling through touch.

Climate change is about to erase $1.4 trillion in real estate value in the US

Homeownership is becoming increasingly unsustainable in high-risk areas as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes drive up insurance costs.

Gecko-Inspired Material Could Be The Future of Anti-Slip Shoes That Stick to Ice

New material mimics gecko feet to prevent slips on ice, which could avert countless injuries.

Bonobos Know When You’re Clueless — Their Theory of Mind Explains Why

The bonobos eagerly pointed out treats to humans who didn’t know where they were, but when humans had watched the treats being placed, they didn't point.

5 Everyday Products That Contain Hidden Lead—Are You at Risk?

Lead has made its way to not just your food but also to your lipstick and protein powder. Here's what we know.

Oldest Evidence of Human-Caused Lead Pollution Dates from Over 5,000 Years Ago, Around the Aegean Sea

Lead pollution started peaking when the Romans took over the Aegean coastline.

Microplastics can cause brain clots in mice. Could they do the same in humans?

We've only recently discovered microplastics are a thing and we still don't know exactly how bad they are for our health. This study doesn't bode well.

Tracking 32,000 Bees with QR Codes. Turns Out, Bee Foraging Is Weirder Than You Think

Scientists unfold the secret lives of bees using QR codes. Here's all the secrets they found.

Alpha Male Baboons Have High Stress and Shorter Lives — And It's All for Love

Life is tough as an alpha male — if you're a baboon.

Climate heating is killing the young, not the oldest

Young, healthy, and physiologically robust? That might not be enough to survive extreme heat.

Slug-Inspired Patch Can Help Cure Painful Oral Lesions

Researchers have developed an effective oral patch that may one day replace sutures.

Why researchers are releasing over 1,300 small snails on a remote island

After years of efforts, rare pea-sized snails found only on the Desertas Islands have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

When One Chimp Pees, Others Follow: What Contagious Urination May Reveal About Our Closest Relatives

Even bathroom habits can reveal the social lives of our closest relatives.

Why Rural Areas Are the New Frontier for Electric Vehicles

Rural areas, not cityscapes, seem to be the ideal areas for electric vehicles to reduce daily emissions.

Chornobyl’s Dogs Defy Expectations: Radiation Isn't Causing Genetic Differences

Chornobyl's abandoned dogs reveal surprising genetic resilience despite decades of radiation exposure.

The bizarre frogfish has “fishing motor neurons” controlling the rods on its head

Sometimes a tiny cluster of neurons is enough to change the course of evolution.

Big Boy Is Here and He’s the Most Venomous Spider in the World

Scientists reveal the Sydney funnel-web spider is actually three distinct species, with Newcastle's "Big Boy" reigning supreme.

In Oregon, a giant 300-foot smiley face greets traffic every fall

Every fall, a hillside in Oregon flashes a giant, yellow smiley face of trees.

Why firefighters in LA can't use salt water from the ocean to battle wildfires

Seawater may be plentiful, but its salty drawbacks make it a last resort for battling flames.

Scientists find spiders smell with their legs and the science behind it is fascinating

Spiders have always lived alongside humans, so it’s surprising how much we still don’t know about them. One long-standing mystery was related to how spiders detect smells. Now, our latest research has finally uncovered the secret. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we demonstrated that male spiders use olfactory […]

This Hornet Can Drink 80% Alcohol Without Ever Getting Drunk and Scientists Finally Know Why

Oriental hornets never get intoxicated with alcohol no matter how strong the alcohol or how long they drink.

Tiny Surfers: How Bats Use Warm Air Waves for Epic Migrations

The discovery that bats synchronize their migrations with storm fronts provides critical insights into their survival strategies.

Toxic-Free Method Extracts 99.99% of Gold from Electronic Waste

What if your discarded electronics could not only recover gold but also help combat climate change by transforming CO2 into useful materials?

Why Paris Is Leaving Cars Behind for Bikes

Paris has reinvented itself as a cyclist’s paradise, moving from car-dominated streets to a city crisscrossed by bike lanes.

Ancient Rome's lead air pollution may have dropped average IQ by up to 3 points

Ancient Rome’s relentless lead pollution may have dimmed the intellect of its citizens, leaving a toxic legacy that survives in today's Greenland ice sheet.

Single-Crystal Batteries Could Power EVs for Millions of Miles

A battery with this technology has been constantly charging and discharging for 6 years and it's at 80% of capacity.

Twins were the norm for our ancient primate ancestors. Why did we stop?

Twins are pretty rare, accounting for just 3% of births in the US these days. But new research shows that for primates 60 million years ago, giving birth to twins was the norm.

What Turkey’s Cats Teach Us About Human-Animal Relationships

On a visit to feline-friendly Turkey, an anthropologist considers what long-standing practices of caring for cats reveal about human societies.

9 in 10 new cars sold in Norway in 2024 were electric

Norway’s bold policies and long-term vision have turned it into a global leader in electric vehicle adoption.

Adorabile Video: Wolf Puppy gets the Hiccups

Hiccups aren't just a human quirk—they're a shared trait among mammals like dogs and wolves.

Valencia floods showed why coastal cities should restore their wetlands

Valencia, a city and province in south-east Spain, became synonymous with disaster in October 2024 when floods killed at least 231 people. Extreme rainfall will happen more often as the climate warms and the cost to coastal cities like Valencia is expected to reach up to US$63 billion (£50 billion) annually by 2050. We are […]

Crafty magpies use anti-bird spikes to build their nests

It doesn’t get any crazier than this, the researchers said

Geneticists have finally solved the mystery of Garfield’s orange coat

Two new studies have revealed why some cats are orange – an enduring enigma of genetics, until now.

The Science Behind Why Labradors Are Always Hungry

Labrador owners can finally stop feeling guilty for overfeeding.