Latest stories
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Ants Amputate Injured Nestmates’ Legs. The Weird Part? It Can Save Them.
Florida carpenter ants treat wounded nestmates by cleaning injuries—and sometimes amputating a leg. The choice depends on where the injury is.
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Reindeer Eyes Reflect Gold in Summer and Deep Blue in Winter
Reindeer have a reflective layer behind the retina that shifts from golden in summer to blue in winter. It is not a seasonal change in iris…
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Bumblebees Roll Tiny Wooden Balls for No Reward. Scientists Call It Play.
Scientists watched buff-tailed bumblebees roll wooden balls without food rewards. Their behavior met recognized criteria for animal play.
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Glass Frogs Hide Nearly 90% of Their Red Blood Cells While Sleeping
Glass frogs become more transparent while sleeping by packing most circulating red blood cells into their livers.
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Pistol Shrimp Can Make Bubbles That Flash With Light
A snapping shrimp’s claw creates a cavitation bubble that makes a loud snap—and, in laboratory studies, a brief flash of light.
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Tickled Rats Make Sounds Humans Can’t Hear—and Scientists Call It Laughter
Researchers tickling rats record 50-kHz calls associated with play and positive emotion, but rat laughter is not identical to human laughter.
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Venus Flytraps Count Electrical Signals Before Digesting Prey
Venus flytraps use electrical signals from trigger hairs to snap shut, then respond to further signals before investing in digestion. The surprising part: one touch can…
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Antarctica’s Blood Falls Seeps Red, Iron-Rich Brine From a Glacier
Antarctica’s Blood Falls stains Taylor Glacier red. Here’s how iron-rich brine escapes cold ice, and what new research reveals about its unusual color.
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Male Seahorses Give Birth. Yes, the Dads Are Pregnant.
Male seahorses carry eggs in a brood pouch, protect developing embryos and deliver tiny young through muscular contractions. Here is how it works.
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The Moon Is Moving Away From Earth About 1.5 Inches Every Year
The Moon drifts about 1.5 inches farther from Earth each year. NASA’s laser measurements reveal how tidal forces make our satellite slowly recede.