SCIENCE

The cover of Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.’

9 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas’

From its initial title to its real life inspirations to its disastrous, misconception-causing English translations.

Pro tip: You shouldn't toss any out the window, either.

You Should Never Leave Plastic Water Bottles in a Hot Car—Here’s Why

It might sound unlikely, but leaving plastic water bottles in a hot car might not be safe and could actually lead to a fire.

A spider can now make red silk thanks to gene editing.

This Genetically-Engineered Spider Shoots Red Fluorescent Silk

Getting bitten by it won’t give you superpowers, as far as we know.

Raw chicken breasts often sport white stripes.

What Those White Stripes on Chicken Breasts Mean for Your Health

Thanks to modern farming practices, chicken isn't always a low-fat option.

Penguin Poop: The Latest Tool to Fight Climate Change

Ammonia from the birds’ guano can mix with other gases and form clouds, potentially cooling Earth’s surface and preserving Antarctic ice, a new study suggests.

NASA’s iconic image of Pluto, showing its heart-like pattern, captured by the New Horizons flyby in 2015.

7 Surprising Facts About Pluto

The dwarf planet sports steep mountains, smooth young surfaces, ice dunes, and a stunning blue atmosphere.

You Probably Shouldn't Be Mouth Taping While You Sleep

This TikTok-popular trend is more dangerous than people may realize, according to a new scientific review.

These adorable guys look like they wouldn‘t steal babies.

Capuchins Are ‘Kidnapping’ Baby Monkeys of Different Species, And Scientists Are Baffled

Researchers have discovered a weird, new behavior among capuchin monkeys, and it involves kidnapping howler monkey infants.

Mold is the last thing you want to see after cracking open one of these.

The Real Reason Why Your Safe Is Full of Mold

You might never expect to see mold growing inside a fireproof safe, but it can happen. Here’s how to prevent it, plus how to properly clean it so your valuables don’t get destroyed.

5 Misconceptions About the Arctic

Both the Arctic and Antarctica are cold and icy, but that’s basically where the similarities end.

Are Left-Handed People Really More Creative?

We associate left-handedness with intelligence, out-of-the-box thinking, and artistic talent. But are these flattering generalizations backed up by science?

Scientists Build Soft Robot Inspired By Inflatable, Dancing Tube Men

A machine without electronics or software can walk, jump, and swim—showing how simple physics can compete with complex robotic systems.

Stegosaurus: the state dino of Colorado.

8 Official State Dinosaurs

These eight states have designated official state dinosaurs, honoring the living, breathing, occasionally flesh-ravaging creatures that once roamed their land.

A male greater sage-grouse performing his mating display.

How Grand Teton National Park Is Using Papier-Mâché Birds to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse are at risk near Jackson Hole Airport—but handmade decoys are guiding them to safer ground.

This puny creature packs a powerful sting.

What to Know About the Invasive Asian Needle Ants Spreading Across the U.S.

Asian needle ants may look small, but their stings are no joke.

Remains of What Could Be America’s First Domestic Cats Came From a 16th-Century Shipwreck

A sunken ship near Florida holds clues to the early history of cats in the U.S.

15 Toothsome Facts About the Megalodon Shark

The megalodon was the largest shark to ever live, but luckily for us, it’s definitely extinct.

Why Do Shells Sound Like the Ocean?

The fact that all shells sound just a little bit like the ocean is purely coincidental.

The stingray it on the left, and the skate is to the right.

Skates vs. Rays: What‘s the Difference?

Skates lay black, ravioli-shaped egg cases. Rays give birth to live pups.

Quiz: Can You Put the Planets in Order Based on the Length of Their Days?

See if you can tackle this astronomical challenge.

Axolotls are cute and important to the environment.

Captive-Bred Axolotls Can Survive in the Wild, Sparking Hope for the Endangered Species

Scientists in Mexico have found that axolotls bred in captivity can survive and thrive in their native habitat—which is great news for the species.

A diver is about a meter behind the coelacanth discovered at a depth of 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia.

Scientists Capture First Footage of Ancient Coelacanth in Its Natural Habitat

Researchers in Indonesia have filmed a rare coelacanth nearly 500 feet underwater—marking the first time the fish has been recorded in its native environment.

Harvey Washington Wiley (back row, second from left) and the young volunteers of the Poison Squad.

The Men Who Volunteered to Be Poisoned by the Government

In 1902, 12 men agreed to take low doses of poison in order to test their efficacy as food preservatives. No one died. Basically.

Blissfully unperturbed by hormonal fluctuations.

When Does Menopause Actually Start?

The wide-ranging symptoms and timing of menopause have caused some confusion.

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