smithsonianmag.com

Research shows that more than 31 million Americans—or nearly one in ten people—experience a tick bite every year. While some tick bites can be harmless, these parasitic arachnids that feed on both animals and people can transmit dozens of diseases in as little as 36 to 48 hours, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease.

When most people think of the threats they might encounter in a national park, grizzly bears might be at the top of their list. But new research suggests that they should worry about a different animal: elk.

From hugs and handshakes to high fives and fist bumps, humans routinely use physical touch to comfort one another and reinforce social bonds. Now, new research suggests that our ape cousins behave in similar ways.

In low-lying Singapore, electrochemical engineer Li Hong has found a creative way to displace some of the city-state’s dependence on planet-warming natural gas. Using a new, multistep process, Li and his colleagues have figured out how to perform a surprising bit of climate-helping alchemy by transforming carbon-rich organic trash like shrimp shells into products the island nation needs, including hydrogen gas, food and biogenic calcium carbonate—a white salt used in products ranging from cement to antacids.

Ben does it, they’re alter egos, I do it, they’re sock puppets. Where’s the justice?

Fire salamanders—one of Europe’s most well-researched amphibians—are biofluorescent, which means they can absorb light from an external source at one wavelength, then re-emit it at another

Fire salamanders—one of Europe’s most well-researched amphibians—are biofluorescent, which means they can absorb light from an external source at one wavelength, then re-emit it at another

Many researchers suspect that Prototaxites was an early type of fungus. But in a study published January 21 [2026] in the journal Science Advances, a team argues that one species is chemically and structurally distinct from fungi, hinting that the mysterious genus likely represents a previously undiscovered, extinct branch of life.

Osmanovic Thunström and her colleagues made it very obvious, sprinkling the fictitious studies with things like funding from the Galactic Triad and Lord of the Rings, as well as appreciation of colleagues at the Starship Enterprise and Professor Ross Geller, per “Science Quickly.” At least one of the papers even explicitly stated, “This entire paper is made up,” reports Nature.

Fire salamanders—one of Europe’s most well-researched amphibians—are biofluorescent, which means they can absorb light from an external source at one wavelength, then re-emit it at another

Fire salamanders—one of Europe’s most well-researched amphibians—are biofluorescent, which means they can absorb light from an external source at one wavelength, then re-emit it at another

Mmm, Gin and Tonic. Will need to get some tonic I think with the weather doing better

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-oWwJ-PbBY

Comments

I love any sort of dumplings, from Shumai to Xiaolongbao to Pierogis to Varenyky to Pupusas

Slaaayyy queen 🫳

“It appears that Plato was sold as a slave as early as in 404 B.C.E., when the Spartans conquered Aegina, or, alternatively, in 399 B.C.E., immediately after the death of Socrates,” says Ranocchia, per the Telegraph.