Pet Life
Hegseth orders troops to watch his speech decrying a ‘woke’ military
Tom Bowman Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is ordering troops to watch or read his speech last month at Quantico, Va., when he declared the “woke” military is gone, decried “fat generals” and ordered women in the military to meet the “highest male standards” for physical fitness. The memo, obtained by NPR, calls for servicemembers to…
‘Joe Manganiello’s The Crypt of Perpetual Darkness Quest Pack’ Adds More Danger for ‘HeroQuest’
Zargon’s minions are at your doorstep, threatening the place you call home. Armed only with your effects and an ancient map of elvish origin, you must journey deep underground in search of a long-lost crypt. Here, a fallen knight’s tomb is rumored to contain a powerful artifact. Heroes, you must keep this treasure out of…
Vets must publish prices so pet owners not overcharged, watchdog says
Vets should be forced to publish price lists so pet owners can see costs up front and shop around for the best deal, the competition watchdog has said. Owners are often unaware of prices or not given estimates for treatments that can run into thousands of pounds, its investigation into soaring vet costs found. Vet…
AI Can Predict Cat Health From Litter Box Visits
Scientists Turned 300,000 Litter Box Visits into an AI-Powered Cat Health Monitor Cat bathroom data from an AI-powered litter box could offer useful pet health insights By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Clara Moskowitz To cat owners, a litter box is a nuisance. But to scientists, it’s a trove of information. A team of researchers…
Birds Went Silent during the Great North American Eclipse—Here’s What Researchers Discovered
Birds Went Silent during the Great North American Eclipse—Here’s What Researchers Discovered The “Great North American Eclipse” of April 2024 was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study how birds and other wildlife respond to total solar eclipses By Humberto Basilio edited by Lee Billings A Savi’s warbler (Locustella luscinioides) male sings at sunset. When a total…
Alzheimer’s-Related Biomarker Found at Elevated Levels in Newborns
Babies Are Born with High Levels of Alzheimer’s-Linked Proteins in Their Brains Researchers hope the finding could point to new therapeutic approaches for the disease By Robert Martone edited by Daisy Yuhas Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by certain key changes in the brain. Among them are the development of two kinds of protein deposits: clumps…
This Bat Recorded Itself Catching and Eating a Songbird in Midair
This Bat Recorded Itself Catching and Eating a Songbird in Midair Scientists suspected that Europe’s largest bats snack on migrating songbirds when they can, but a stunning newly published observation proves it By Meghan Bartels edited by Andrea Thompson A greater noctule bat caught in a mist net with a passerine feather and blood in…
Proof Jessica Simpson’s Daughter Birdie, 6, Is Her Spitting Image
Jessica Simpson’s 6-year-old daughter Birdie Mae channeled the singer for her school’s “dress as your favorite artist” day for Spirit Week. See her look. Jessica Simpson‘s daughter Birdie Mae couldn’t resist this opportunity. The “Irresistible” singer shared that when her 6-year-old’s school hosted Spirit Week, Birdie jumped at the chance to channel mom for “dress…
President Petro accuses US of killing Colombians in attacks on ‘narco-boats’
Gustavo Petro demands US release names of victims: ‘A new theatre of war has opened up: the Caribbean’ Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, has drawn Washington’s ire after accusing the US of killing Colombian citizens during a recent boat strike in the Caribbean Sea. “A new theatre of war has opened up: the Caribbean,” Petro wrote…
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters’ home vandalised ‘during a protest’
Man charged as police allege a window was smashed in a rare act of violence targeted at a New Zealand politician’s home A man who allegedly used a crowbar to smash in a window at the home of New Zealand’s foreign minister “during a protest” has been charged, police confirmed on Tuesday. Winston Peters posted…
Famed polar exploration ship Endurance not as strong as legend held, researcher says
By Joe Hernandez What if one of the most famous and formidable Antarctic exploration vessels in history, whose crew’s story of shipwreck and survival has been told for more than a century, wasn’t as strong as legend had it? A new research paper about the vessel Endurance casts doubt on some common beliefs about explorer…
Jennifer Lopez’s Twins Max and Emme Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance
Jennifer Lopez attended the New York City premiere of her movie Kiss of the Spider Woman alongside her 17-year-old twins Max and Emme. Jennifer Lopez is unstoppable with her kids by her side. The “Let’s Get Loud” singer brought out her 17-year-old twins Max and Emme, who she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony, for a…
Ocean Acidification Threshold Pushes Earth Past Another Planetary Boundary
Humans Have Crossed 7 of 9 ‘Planetary Boundaries’ Earth has breached a critical boundary for ocean acidification, with potentially grim effects for ocean ecosystems and human livelihoods By Andrea Thompson edited by Lee Billings Our planet is sick, and its life-threatening symptoms are getting worse, a new report warns. Earth has been pushed past multiple…
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Federal officials have approved another generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, a regulatory formality that quickly triggered pushback from anti-abortion groups and politicians aligned with the Trump administration. Drugmaker Evita Solutions announced on its website that the Food and Drug Administration signed off on its low-cost form of…
Jane Goodall’s Legacy of Challenging What It Means to Be a Scientist
3 Ways Jane Goodall Challenged What It Means to Be a Scientist Here are three big ways that Jane Goodall transformed science By Rachel Fieldhouse, Mohana Basu & Nature magazine Goodall is best known for her work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. She was the first to discover that chimpanzees made and…
Pope Leo XIV says ‘inhuman treatment of immigrants’ in the U.S. isn’t ‘pro-life’
By Claire Giangrave , Daniel Burke VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full range of their policy positions and suggesting that the country’s treatment of immigrants is “inhuman.” “Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death…
Supreme Court says Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay — for now
Scott Horsley The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked President Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, maintaining a critical firewall for now around the central bank’s ability to make decisions without political interference from the White House. That means Cook can stay in her job at least until the high court hears oral…
Drive Your Cattle to the Railhead in ‘Great Western Trail: El Paso’
At the end of the 19th century, five railroad companies connected the Sun City of El Paso to their network and made it a major hub for the cattle trade. Ranchers from the surrounding parts of Texas and Mexico drove their cattle into the city to send them on their long journey to the north,…
Threatened kārearea falcon wins New Zealand’s 2025 bird of the year
The country’s fastest bird has taken out the top prize in a scandal-free year for the annual poll New Zealand’s fastest bird, capable of flying 200km/h in its pursuit of prey, has been crowned bird of the year – a long-running annual competition that has previously been a lightning rod for scandal and hijinks. The…
People Are More Likely to Cheat When They Use AI
People Are More Likely to Cheat When They Use AI Participants in a new study were more likely to cheat when delegating to AI—especially if they could encourage machines to break rules without explicitly asking for it By Rachel Nuwer edited by Allison Parshall Despite what watching the news might suggest, most people are averse…
Wyoming town erects new monument to violent, anti-immigrant history
By Jenna McMurtry ROCK SPRINGS, WYO — Towering plateaus dotted with sage brush and roaming wild horses surround the desert town of Rock Springs, Wyoming, with a population of about 23,000. A short drive from Main Street, two rectangular holes form a checkerboard pattern in a grassy lawn connecting a Catholic church with a nearby…
US revokes visa for Colombian president Gustavo Petro after ‘reckless’ actions in New York
At a pro-Palestine protest, Petro urged US soldiers to ‘disobey Trump’s order’ and ‘not point their rifles at humanity’ The US state department said on Friday it would revoke the visa of Colombian leftist president Gustavo Petro for his “incendiary actions” during a pro-Palestinian street protest in New York. “Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood…
Fired feds, Trump lovers and veterans: Meet the people applying for ICE jobs
Ximena Bustillo PROVO, Utah — On a sunny Monday morning, dozens of people trickled into the Utah Valley Convention Center in this town enveloped by mountains south of Salt Lake City. Some wore suits, others high heels, and nearly all carried small binders with resumes, certificates and diplomas. They were veterans, current law enforcement officials,…
Bird Flu and Human Flu Viruses Could Mix in Cow Udders and Spark a Pandemic
Cow Udders Could Brew Up Dangerous New Bird Flu Strains Cells in cow udders could act as a site for human flu and bird flu viruses to swap genes and generate dangerous novel strains By Chris Simms edited by Tanya Lewis Cow udders may provide a hotspot for bird flu and human flu viruses to…
Former president Peter Mutharika defeats incumbent in Malawi presidential election
Lazarus Chakwera, who presided over a multi-year economic crisis, concedes election after 85-year-old Mutharika wins 56.8% of vote Malawians have voted in an 85-year-old former leader over an incumbent who presided over a multi-year economic crisis, high inflation, essential goods shortages, climate disasters and international aid cuts. Peter Mutharika got 56.8% of the vote compared…
Colombia’s Petro urges ‘criminal process’ against Trump for Venezuelan strikes
At UN, Gustavo Petro says ‘poor young people’ died in US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats off Caribbean coast Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro addressed the UN general assembly Tuesday to call for a “criminal process” to be opened against counterpart Donald Trump for US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. Petro…
After fireworks caused her dog to panic, a stranger offered them a ride home
By Autumn Barnes This story is part of the My Unsung Hero series, from the Hidden Brain team. It features stories of people whose kindness left a lasting impression on someone else. In late 2020, Lara Friedman and her partner adopted a 9-week-old Rottweiler puppy. They affectionately named him The Dude. “[It became] immediately clear…
Unification Church leader arrested in South Korea over bribery allegations linked to former first lady
Han Hak-ja, aged 82, is detained after Seoul court hearing over claims she told church officials to bribe wife of then president Yoon Suk Yeol The 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church was arrested in South Korea early Tuesday as investigators probe allegations that the church bribed the wife of jailed former president Yoon Suk…
The evangelical Christian faith on display at Kirk’s memorial shaped his politics
Sarah McCammon Charlie Kirk’s evangelical faith was on display at his memorial service this weekend in Arizona. The service, held on a Sunday morning, felt much like a worship service, complete with prayers, songs and a call from Kirk’s widow to “forgive” Kirk’s alleged killer “because it was what Christ did.” The event opened with…
Dogs with Large Vocabularies Can Understand Category Words, Not Just Names
Some Dogs Can Learn Categories like Human Toddlers Do These dogs can extend words to new objects based on function the way children do in early language learning By Anirban Mukhopadhyay edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Researchers found that some dogs can learn terms for functional categories, such as ‘pull’ and ‘throw’ toys. Join Our…
Trump administration rushes to rent space for immigration officers conducting raids
By Jenna McLaughlin , Ximena Bustillo , Stephen Fowler Employees at the General Services Administration — the U.S. agency that manages government facilities and procurement — are scrambling to find office space to accommodate a rapid increase of immigration enforcement officers carrying out widespread raids across the country. According to three employees at GSA, who…
Why was Kirk killed? Evidence paints complicated picture of alleged assassin
Odette Yousef Prosecutors in Utah appear to be preparing to argue that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last week because he disagreed with Kirk’s anti-trans rhetoric. In their charging document, authorities cite text messages that Robinson allegedly exchanged with “his lover/roommate,” a person they describe as “a biological male who…
Chimpanzee Consumption of Boozy Fruit May Illuminate Roots of Humanity’s Love of Alcohol
Chimpanzee Consumption of Boozy Fruit May Illuminate Roots of Humanity’s Love of Alcohol Wild chimps ingest the equivalent of multiple alcoholic beverages a day By Kate Wong edited by Jeanna Bryner A chimpanzee eats fruit in the rainforest of Kibale National Park in Uganda. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! When chimpanzees eat ripe figs…
How Birds Began Migrating to the Arctic to Breed
New Fossils Could Help Solve Long-standing Mystery of Bird Migration Tiny fossils hint at when birds began making their mind-blowing journey to the Arctic to breed By Lauren N. Wilson & Daniel T. Ksepka edited by Kate Wong A breeding pair of ornithurine birds and their hatchlings survey the coastal floodplain. These birds shared this…
Scientists Map Nightlife and Communication of NYC Rats to Help Urban Planning and Pest Control
New York City’s Rats Have a Secret Nightlife—And a Language Humans Can’t Hear A new preprint field study reveals that New York City’s rats aren’t just survivors—they’re talkative city dwellers with their own hidden nightlife. Mapping their movements and conversations could offer insights to transform urban planning and pest control By Deni Ellis Béchard edited…
Utah residents are reeling knowing the Charlie Kirk suspect is one of their own
By Marisa Peñaloza , David Condos UTAH – The arrest of Tyler Robinson sent shockwaves through the small community where his family lives. Washington, a city of around 30,000, sits next to St. George in Utah’s southwest corner. It’s a 3 ½-hour drive from the Utah Valley University campus. The 22-year-old is the suspect in…
NASA’s JWST Hunts Dark Matter in Stunning Image of Bullet Cluster
The UniverseFridays Mesmerizing New JWST Image Sharpens Our View of Dark Matter’s Intergalactic Playground A swarm of galaxies called the Bullet Cluster is the biggest, best natural laboratory for studying dark matter that astronomers have ever seen By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings The Bullet Cluster as seen by the James Webb Space Telescope…
Water failure at Guantánamo Bay affects U.S. migrant operations there
Sacha Pfeiffer Several migrants sent by the United States to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, had to be relocated to another part of the U.S. naval base there because of a water supply failure, raising more questions about whether Guantánamo can accommodate the 30,000 migrants President Trump has said he wants to send there. Part of the…
MTV VMAs 2025 Red Carpet Looks: See Every Celebrity Outfit
The MTV Video Music Awards 2025 at New York’s UBS Arena brought out the best and boldest in fashion. See all the celebrities on the red carpet. Prepare for style that’s out of this world. As the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 kicked off on Sept. 7, the best and brightest stars in music descended…
This Gloriously Weird Fish Has Teeth on Its Forehead for Sex
This Gloriously Weird Fish Has Teeth on Its Forehead for Sex Researchers have finally traced the origin of the spotted ratfish’s bizarre forehead teeth, which are used for mating By Kate Wong edited by Jeanna Bryner The researchers identified teeth on the tenaculum of ancient relatives to the modern adult male spotted ratfish. This fossil…
Under Trump, the Federal Trade Commission is abandoning its ban on noncompetes
Andrea Hsu The Federal Trade Commission is moving to vacate its rule banning noncompete agreements, reversing what was seen as a signature accomplishment of the commission under President Biden. Noncompetes are employment agreements that prevent workers from taking new jobs with a competing business or starting one of their own, usually within a certain geographic…
More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones
Sequoia Carrillo As students across the country head back to class, one thing won’t be coming with many of them: their cell phones. This year more states than ever are banning students’ devices during school hours. In Texas, every public and charter school student will be without their phones during the school day this fall.…
Snoop Dogg Slams LGBTQ+ Representation in Kids Movies
Snoop Dogg admitted that he’s “scared to go to the movies” after seeing a same-sex couple represented onscreen while taking his grandson to see Disney’s Lightyear: “I didn’t come here for this s–t.” Snoop Dogg’s latest comments are raising eyebrows. After taking one of his seven grandchildren to see Disney’s Lightyear, the “Gin and Juice”…
AI Spots Hidden Signs of Consciousness in Comatose Patients before Doctors Do
AI Spots Hidden Signs of Consciousness in Comatose Patients before Doctors Do A machine-learning algorithm spotted signs of “covert consciousness” in coma patients—in some cases, days before doctors could do so By Andrew Chapman edited by Allison Parshall Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Imagine lying in a hospital bed, awake but unable to move…
‘I’m holding his political wake’: the trumpeter waiting to mark Bolsonaro’s judgment day
Brazil’s ex-president is expected to be convicted over failed coup – and Fabiano Leitão, who has provoked him for years, is ready When Jair Bolsonaro was Brazil’s far-right president, the guerrilla trumpeter Fabiano Leitão would stalk him around the capital, Brasília, to taunt him with renditions of the anti-fascist anthem Bella Ciao. In March, when…
Kelly Stafford Gets Candid About Daughter’s Behavioral Issues
Kelly Stafford shared insight into her recent struggles navigating one of her and Matthew Stafford’s four daughters’ behavioral issues: “She has become a little girl I don’t recognize.” Kelly Stafford is sharing insight into her recent parenting struggles. The internet personality—who shares daughters Sawyer and Chandler, both 8, Hunter, 7, and Tyler, 5, with Los…
Witnesses describe terror and courage during the Minneapolis school shooting
Vanessa Romo MINNEAPOLIS — The students were running a little late for their first Mass of the school year at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday. “I checked my watch, it was supposed to start at 8:15. It was 8:18 and they were still filing in,” Cathrine Spandel told NPR on Thursday outside…
Contract breach or banditry? Inside the collapse of the Taliban’s oil deal with China
By Anthony Kuhn , Vincent Ni Turbaned Afghan officials and hard-hatted Chinese engineers gathered in Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Pul province in 2023, to mark the opening of Chinese-invested oil fields. The fields are located in the Amu Darya River basin, a major Central Asian watershed that includes glacier-capped mountains and vast, arid deserts. At a signing ceremony…
20 Years After Hurricane Katrina, How Safe Is New Orleans From Another Catastrophic Flood?
Opinion Is New Orleans Safer Now Than When Hurricane Katrina Hit 20 Years Ago? Scientists and engineers have been implementing steps to better protect New Orleans, but recent government actions are undermining the work, raising alarm By Mark Fischetti Water surrounds homes in the devastated Ninth Ward in this aerial view of damage from Hurricane…
See Emma Stone’s Rare PDA With Husband Dave McCary on Red Carpet
Emma Stone shared an adorable PDA moment with her husband Dave McCary while walking the red carpet Aug. 28 at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of her forthcoming film Bugonia. Emma Stone and Dave McCary are showing each other all kinds of kindness at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The two-time Oscar winner…
Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility to be empty ‘within a few days’
By Greg Allen MIAMI — The immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades that officials have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” soon will hold no detainees. In an email sent to a South Florida rabbi inquiring about serving as a chaplain at the facility, the director of Florida’s Department of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, replied, “We are probably…
Off Mexico’s coast, divers nab biggest ‘ghost’ yet
In a grueling and delicate dance, a team led by Conservation International removes a massive undersea killer When Edgardo Ochoa woke up in the early hours of August 20, he had a good feeling. The palm trees outside his window were still, signaling a calm day ahead. For two days, Ochoa, a dive specialist at…
ID lost to Hurricane Katrina is returned 20 years later
By Melanie Peeples Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina decimated the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, few surprises continue to surface, but Becky Copeland has found one. She is a Wildlife Biologist and Park Ranger for the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a group of barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi and Florida, that are mostly…
Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworms Detected In U.S.
Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworms Detected In U.S. This gruesome parasite is more of a threat to your burger than to you By Madhusree Mukerjee edited by Dean Visser Screw-worm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae use their sharp mandibles to dig into and eat away the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Just two months…
Strange Deep-Sea Animals Discovered in Underwater Argentine Canyon
Pastel Pink Lobsters, Goofy-Looking Squid Among Deep-Sea Oddities Discovered in Ocean Abyss Researchers spied a wild array of life, including dozens of suspected new species, in an underwater gorge By Ashley Balzer Vigil edited by Andrea Thompson A glass squid floats in the deep sea. Two miles below the ocean’s surface, off the coast of…
North Korea accuses South Korea of ‘deliberate provocation’ after warning shots fired at soldiers on border
Seoul says military fired warning shots on Tuesday after troops from the North briefly crossed border South Korea fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily fortified border earlier this week, Seoul said on Saturday, after Pyongyang accused it of a “deliberate provocation” that risks “uncontrollable” tensions. South Korea’s new leader…
As Trump touts D.C. arrests, experts caution they’re not the best indicator of public safety
Meg Anderson The Trump administration announced Friday that it has arrested more than 700 people in Washington, D.C., as part of the president’s mission to crack down on crime in the nation’s capital. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro has frequently pushed for those who commit crimes to face harsher punishments. During a visit Thursday…
Cash Rewards Have Less Sway in Collectivistic Cultures
Cash Rewards Have Less Sway in Collectivistic Cultures Money talks louder in some languages than others By Thomas Talhelm edited by Daisy Yuhas If you’re trying to get someone to do something, what’s the best way to achieve that? Paying them probably comes to mind, and this intuition is a basic tenet of economic theory.…
OpenAI Model Earns Gold-Medal Score at International Math Olympiad and Advances Path to Artificial General Intelligence
Can Writing Math Proofs Teach AI to Reason Like Humans? OpenAI researchers reveal how their experimental model, devoid of any external aids, powered through hours-long proofs to earn a gold-medal score at the International Math Olympiad—and they discuss the project’s origins and describe how such work could help lead to artificial general intelligence By Deni…
Nathan Lents’s New Book Explores How Animal Behavior and Evolution Challenge Binary Sex and Gender Norms
What Can Nature Teach Us about Sex and Gender? By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. This approach has led scientists to miss fascinating examples of alternative reproductive strategies and complex social behaviors across the animal kingdom. What we’ve often labeled as anomalies might…
Pessimistic Dogs Are Better at Smelling Cancer—And Other Keys to Disease-Sniffing Success
Pessimistic Dogs Are Better at Smelling Cancer—And Other Keys to Disease-Sniffing Success New research is revealing how disease-smelling dogs can excel By Rohini Subrahmanyam edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Individual dogs’ personalities, and how we interpret their behaviors, may be key to disease sniffing at scale. Billy, a floppy-eared little beagle, darts around a platform…
New Human Ancestor Identified from Fossil Teeth
Entirely New Species of Human Ancestor Discovered Ancient teeth found in Ethiopia belong to a never-before-seen species in the Australopithecus genus of human ancestors By Kate Wong edited by Jeanna Bryner Thirteen fossilized teeth were collected in the Ledi-Geraru Research Area from 2015 to 2018. The collections at LD 750 and LD 760 localities represent…
Vanessa Bryant Gets Lipstick All Over Her Dog in Sweet Kissing Photos
Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant shared adorable photos cuddling with her small furry friend, posting photos before and after she made her mark. Vanessa Bryant is sharing her puppy love. Kobe Bryant’s wife posted sweet snaps cuddling up with her small dog, holding the furry friend up and smothering the pup with kisses. In another photo, the fluffball sported a red…
The Scientific Debate over Colossal’s ‘De-extinct’ Dire Wolves
This Company Claimed to ‘De-extinct’ Dire Wolves. Then the Fighting Started Colossal Biosciences bold announcements about its project to replicate dire wolf traits have drawn criticism from many scientists, but the billion-dollar firm is not backing down By Ewen Callaway & Nature magazine Two of the animals created by Texas firm Colossal Biosciences as part…
African Union joins calls to end use of Mercator map that shrinks continent’s size
Member states back Correct the Map campaign that urges governments and organisations to use more accurate map The African Union has backed a campaign to end the use by governments and international organisations of the 16th-century Mercator map of the world in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size. Created by the cartographer…
New Brain Device Is First to Read Out Inner Speech
New Brain Device Is First to Read Out Inner Speech A new brain prosthesis can read out inner thoughts in real time, helping people with ALS and brain stem stroke communicate fast and comfortably By Emma R. Hasson edited by Allison Parshall After a brain stem stroke left him almost entirely paralyzed in the 1990s,…
‘Who’s running the show?’ is a key question in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ challenge
By Greg Allen MIAMI — A lawsuit brought by environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe challenging construction and operations of an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades wrapped up Wednesday with several key questions unanswered. At the top of the list is one U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams asked several times during the four-day…
Axolotls are on the brink. Can we bring them back?
A project from Conservation International and a Mexican university offers a glimmer of hope for the critically endangered axolotl. An ancient wetland system of islands and canals that pre-dates the Aztecs endures quietly in Mexico City. These wetlands, cradled within North America’s most populous city, are the only place on Earth where you can find…
Guatemalan judge finds six people guilty over deaths of 41 girls in 2017 fire
Two officers and four ex-child protection officials found guilty after fire at state shelter that had a history of abuse A Guatemalan judge has found six people guilty over the deaths of 41 girls in a raging 2017 fire at a state shelter for vulnerable youths that had a history of abuse. The sentencing is…
Sheila Jordan, a singular voice in jazz, has died
By Neda Ulaby , Petra Mayer Sheila Jordan. Sheila Jordan, one of the great underappreciated voices in jazz, has died at the age of 96. Her longtime bassist Harvie S told NPR that Jordan died Monday at her apartment in New York City. Despite a career that unfolded in fits and starts due to racial…
Ford says it will roll out a cheaper electric pickup truck
Camila Domonoske Ford is making a multibillion-dollar bet on electric vehicles. At the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky on Monday morning, Ford executives announced that they plan to retool the factory so they can roll out a midsize pickup truck in the $30,000 range within 18 months. That would be not just cheap for an…
Bird Flu Could Be Spreading through the Air on Dairy Farms, Preliminary Study Shows
Bird Flu on Dairy Farms May Be Airborne After All Infectious bird flu virus was found in milk, on equipment, within wastewater and aerosolized in the air on California dairy farms By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner H5N1 bird flu is spreading across dairy farms in the U.S. The H5N1 avian influenza virus can…
How to Detect Consciousness in People, Animals and Maybe Even AI
How to Detect Consciousness in People, Animals and Maybe Even AI Insights from human brains could inform how scientists search for awareness in all its possible forms By Mariana Lenharo & Nature magazine In late 2005, five months after a car accident, a 23-year-old woman lay unresponsive in a hospital bed. She had a severe…
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposts video of pastors saying women shouldn’t vote
Julia Simon Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reposted and praised a video interview of a self-described Christian nationalist pastor whose church doesn’t believe women should be allowed to vote. Doug Wilson, senior pastor of Christ Church in Idaho, said during the interview with CNN that, “Women are the kind of people that people come out…
Texas big game hunter killed while stalking African Cape buffalo
By Alana Wise A Texas real estate magnate and trophy hunter was killed by a Cape buffalo during a hunting expedition in South Africa, according to a safari company, which described the incident as “sudden and unprovoked.” Asher Watkins had been tracking the bull for a kill when the large horned animal staged an attack…
This Mushroom’s Incredibly Bitter Taste Is New to Science
This Mushroom’s Incredibly Bitter Taste Is New to Science The first analysis of mushroom bitterness reveals ultrapotent compounds By K. R. Callaway edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Ever bite into something so bitter that you had to spit it out? An ages-old genetic mutation helps you and other animals…
Where could Trump and Putin meet about the war in Ukraine? The options are limited
Jaclyn Diaz President Trump said his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine is set to happen “very shortly” at a date and location that Trump said he would announce “a little bit later” on Friday. When — and, most critically, where — these talks could happen…
Trump says he will meet Putin ‘very shortly’ and will announce the date and place soon
By Franco Ordoñez , Danielle Kurtzleben President Trump said on Friday that he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “very shortly” to talk about a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump told reporters he would announce the date and location soon — possibly as early as Friday — but said he was…
Why Pete Davidson Says SNL50 Audience Was Simply “Terrible”
Pete Davidson reflected on the star-studded audience for Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary, which had him sitting next to Meryl Streep. Pete Davidson found the SNL50 audience to be a big time letdown. The comedian was one of the many alums who returned to Saturday Night Live for its 50th anniversary special back in February, and he isn’t…
Trump administration cuts McGruff the Crime Dog’s fentanyl campaign
Kristin Wright Adults of a certain age may remember McGruff the Crime Dog best. The animated bloodhound in a trench coat warned children about the dangers of using drugs in a series of both gritty and cheery public service announcements on TV in the 1980s and 1990s. McGruff was as frank about stranger danger and…
Federal judge rules cuts to humanities grants were ‘unlawful’
Elizabeth Blair A federal judge has ruled that the government’s abrupt elimination of humanities grants previously approved by Congress was “unlawful” and that a lawsuit brought by humanities groups can move forward. In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), terminated grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to thousands of groups across the…
A zoo in Denmark asked patrons to donate their pets. Not as attractions, but for food
By Alana Wise A European zoo stirred up intrigue and controversy after a social media post asking for surplus pets to be donated to feed captive animals went viral. In a post on Facebook, the Aalborg Zoo in Denmark asked people to donate unwanted pets that would be “gently euthanized” and fed to predators in…
Your call to a local Social Security office may be picked up by someone who can’t help
Ashley Lopez Phone calls to local Social Security offices are currently being rerouted to other field offices — often to staff who don’t have jurisdiction over the caller’s case, employees say. Disability advocates and experts warn this is making it harder for people to get help. The latest change is part of the Social Security…
How to Watch the Fall Bird Migration Happening Now
The Great Fall Bird Migration Has Already Begun—Here’s How to See It Birds are starting to make their way south for the winter, and you’ve got a front-row seat to the show By Kate Wong We’re only halfway through summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but for our feathered friends, fall migration is underway. The birds…
Who’s the top dog? Wave-riding canines compete in the World Dog Surfing Championships
By The Associated Press Charlie the 10-year-old yellow lab likes surfing so much, he will grab his surfboard and run toward the water. His humans sometimes have to hide his board if they want to chat with friends on the beach. Charlie joined about 15 to 20 other canine wave riders in Pacifica, 14 miles…
Princess Anne’s Son Peter Phillips Is Engaged to Harriet Sperling
Peter Phillips—the 47-year-old son of Princess Anne and equestrian Mark Phillips—announced his engagement to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling after more than a year of dating. Peter Phillips is taking a royally big step in his relationship. The son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips revealed he’s engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling after…
Sheinbaum demands return of Mexican citizens held at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
Mexican president said citizens held at controversial Florida immigration jail ‘should be repatriated immediately’ Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has said that the country is demanding the repatriation of at least 30 of its citizens currently being held in the controversial Florida immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz”. The Mexican leader said on Wednesday that…
Neurotic Cats, One-Eyed Aliens and Hypnosis for Liars Are among the Historical Gems Reported in Scientific American
Neurotic Cats, One-Eyed Aliens and Hypnosis for Liars Are among the Historical Gems Reported in Scientific American Dive into the quirkiest and most fascinating tales from Scientific American’s 180-year archive By Mark Fischetti We’re celebrating 180 years of Scientific American. Explore our legacy of discovery and look ahead to the future. Scientists are trained to…
See Pete Davidson, Pregnant Elsie Hewitt’s Romantic Date Night in LA
Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt—who’s currently pregnant with their first baby—turned the July 27 premiere of the actor’s upcoming film, The Pickup, into a PDA-filled date night. Live from California, it’s Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt’s sweet date night. Over a week after the model announced that she and the Saturday Night Live alum are expecting their first baby, the couple stepped out to celebrate…
Nearly 4,000 NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation program
By Chandelis Duster Nearly 4,000 NASA employees have opted to leave the space agency through the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, NASA said on Saturday. The cuts amount to an estimated 20% of NASA’s workforce, and will reduce the agency from 18,000 to 14,000 employees, NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner said in a statement shared with…
Is there a better way to farm shrimp? A new project says yes
The shrimp on your plate has a story. Over the past three decades, the world’s appetite for shrimp has surged — almost tenfold. Wild shrimp stocks alone can’t keep up with this demand, so farming shrimp has filled the gap. But this rapid growth has come at a heavy cost. Mangrove forests — which shelter…
Advocates demand closure of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, citing appalling conditions
Non-profit groups say detained immigrants in Florida are denied medical care and living in ‘cages flooded with feces’ Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed that 14 Mexican citizens are held at the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” jail in Florida, as local organizations and doctors call for the facility’s shuttering. On Tuesday, a number of non-profit organizations held…
Pamela Anderson Kisses Costar Liam Neeson in Red Carpet Photo
Pamela Anderson planted a sweet kiss on her costar Liam Neeson’s cheek while walking the red carpet at the July 22 premiere of their new movie The Naked Gun in London. It looks like Pamela Anderson is quite taken with Liam Neeson. The Baywatch alum shared an adorable PDA moment with her costar on the…
UK’s aid cuts ‘will hit children’s education and raise risk of death’
Cutting aid budget to 0.3% of national income will hurt many African countries, says FCDO impact assessment Labour’s deep aid cuts will hit children’s education and increase the risk of disease and death in some African countries, according to the government’s own impact assessment. Keir Starmer announced earlier this year that he would reduce the…
Why I’m Suing OpenAI, the Creator of ChatGPT
Opinion Why I’m Suing OpenAI, the Creator of ChatGPT My lawsuit in Hawaii lays out the safety issues in OpenAI’s products and how they could irreparably harm both Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. By Tamlyn Hunt “I believe that most people and institutions are totally unprepared for the A.I. systems that exist today,…
Review – Krypto, Last Dog of Krypton #2: Good Dog, Bad Owner
Ray: Ryan North is making his DC debut with this story – but it’s not all sunshine and roses for the best boy of Krypton. Krypto looks very different here than he does in Superman Unlimited, but the spirit is the same. However, fair warning – our favorite boy is going through it in this…
Humidity from Corn Sweat Intensifies Extreme Heat Wave in U.S. Midwest
‘Corn Sweat’ Is Making This Heat Wave Even Worse Humid heat is blanketing the eastern U.S. this week, exacerbated by “corn sweat” in the Midwest By Andrea Thompson edited by Meghan Bartels The HeatRisk forecast for July 23, 2025. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Heat and humidity will once again smother the eastern half…
How Humility Can Restore Trust in Expertise
How Humility Can Restore Trust in Expertise Acknowledging the limits of one’s own knowledge could be as important a signal of expertise as credentials and confidence By Benjamin Walker & Lauren Keating edited by Daisy Yuhas Whom would you trust more: an expert who seems to have all of the answers or one who admits…
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Stepson Accidentally Shot and Killed His Son
Dog the Bounty Hunter—real name Duane Chapman—is grieving the loss of his grandson Anthony after his stepson Gregory Zecca fatally shot the 13-year-old, according to TMZ, in an accidental shooting. Duane “Dog” Chapman is mourning the loss of a beloved family member. The Dog the Bounty Hunter star’s stepson Gregory Zecca shot and killed his…