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Meet the Darwin’s Bark Spider, Weaver of the World’s Largest Webs

The web of a Darwin’s bark spider can span 82 feet.

This pile of yeast and bacteria could be helpful for scientists.

Researchers Are Asking Home Bakers to Donate Their Sourdough Starters to Science

Sourdough for science? Researchers are analyzing live cultures from bread starters to develop healthier, plant-based fermented foods.

There are several ways you can help make kitten season less chaotic.

Kitten Season Is Coming—Here’s How You Can Help

Spring and summer are hectic times for animal shelters and cat rescue groups.

India‘s Thar Desert is looking a little greener than this nowadays.

Indian’s Thar Desert Is Getting Greener, Thanks to Human Activity

Thanks to increased accessibility to water and energy, the Thar Desert is now the most populated desert on Earth.

Read ’em and Weepul: How a Cheap Toy Became a Popular Marketing Tool

How did a pompom with googly eyes go from cheap toy, to marketing tool, to Dutch cultural phenomenon?

Resist the temptation—and save money in the process.

What Is the ‘No Buy’ Trend—and How Do You Actually Pull It Off?

TikTok’s “No Buy 2025” trend has been blowing up online, but what does it really entail, and is it even possible to follow? We break down the pros and cons here, plus how to get started.

During the filming of Oliver Stone's ‘Platoon’ (1986).

12 Intense Facts About ‘Platoon’

Starring a young Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, and Johnny Depp, ‘Platoon’ was a landmark achievement in war cinema.

What Happens if I Don’t File My Taxes on Time?

If you fail to file or pay your taxes in time for the April 15 deadline, you could end up dealing with a lot of hassle—and get stuck paying a lot of fees.

'Le Défenseur' by Honoré Daumier, circa the 1860s.

6 Common Terms That Mean Something Different in Courtrooms

‘Toll,’ ‘information,’ and other legal terms you use all the time—just not the way lawyers do.

A fireball streaks through the sky in Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013.

It’s Fireball Season: Spot Meteors Brighter than Venus this Spring

Learn about the mysteries of fireball season, which peaks in the weeks around the vernal equinox.

The Delicious History of Phở in 10 Facts

Phở is a delicious dish, but it also tells us a lot about the history of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and how cultures collide.

Why Do We Call a Dollar a “Buck”?

Everyone knows a buck means a dollar. But not everyone knows why.

Hershey’s Is the Latest Brand to Get a Movie Adaptation

‘Hershey’ will depict the life and times of the chocolate king.

11 Things You Should Never Put in Your Dishwasher

Some of your favorite kitchen tools and cookware could get destroyed inside of a dishwasher—and here’s why.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #33

The riddle below dates back to 1893—can you figure it out?

How WWII Saved ‘The Great Gatsby From Obscurity

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel was a flop—until it was deployed overseas.

Why Do Cowboys Say “Yee-Haw”?

Even though it’s a classic cowboy trope, you have to wonder: Did cowboys actually say that popular phrase?

What’s the Difference Between a Bull and a Bear Market?

The economic terms get tossed around a lot these days, but one market is clearly better for investors.

A museum visitor photographs a painting by modernist artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

15 Colorful Facts About Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe’s enchanting floral still life paintings are now a deeply ingrained part of American culture—so much so that they often eclipse her other colorful accomplishments.

Many gopher tortoises withstood the Category 4 hurricane and are now adapting to new land.

A Florida Park’s Gopher Tortoise Population Exploded Thanks to Hurricane Helene

After Hurricane Helene devastated Florida’s coast, gopher tortoise populations unexpectedly surged in one area.

The Windows 95 theme has earned recognition.

The Windows 95 Chime Just Earned a Spot in the National Recording Registry

The 6-second start-up anthem joins “My Heart Will Go On” and the ‘Hamilton’ soundtrack as “one of the defining sounds of history.”

Hard not to have fun in a place like this.

Each State’s Favorite Bachelorette Party Destination, Mapped

See which states prefer luxury spas, all-inclusive resorts, or relaxing cruises.

8 Gripping Facts About the Vietnam War Draft

Dive into the history of the draft during the Vietnam War, including its origins, how long it lasted, and how some young Boomers successfully managed to dodge it.

Definition Detective Quiz #33

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

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