Topic

Science & Nature

A collection of 183 issues

Hugs on Drugs: The Startling Science of Why Octopuses on Ecstasy Want to Cuddle

Scientists discovered that asocial octopuses become remarkably social and tactile when given MDMA. This groundbreaking study reveals that the brain chemistry for social bonding is an ancient trait shared with humans, dating back over 500 million years to a common ancestor.

Uncorking Portugal: The Surprising Story of the World's Cork Superpower

Did you know Portugal is the world's cork capital? It produces over half the global supply from its vast cork oak forests. This renewable industry is a model of sustainability, with applications extending far beyond wine stoppers, from fashion to aerospace.

Hotter Than the Sun: The Shocking Truth About Lightning's Temperature

It sounds like science fiction, but it's a fact: a single bolt of lightning can heat the air to 50,000°F (27,760°C), making it five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This incredible, instantaneous burst of energy is what creates the thunder we hear.

The Day It Rained a Foot in 42 Minutes: The Unbelievable Story of Holt, Missouri

On June 22, 1947, Holt, Missouri, experienced a world-record rainfall, receiving an astonishing 12 inches (304.8 mm) in just 42 minutes. This unprecedented deluge, equivalent to a quarter of the state's annual rainfall, caused catastrophic flash flooding and remains an extreme meteorological event.

The Crows Have Eyes: How a University Study Revealed Crows Remember and Judge Human Faces

University of Washington researchers found that crows not only remember the faces of humans who have wronged them but also teach their friends and offspring to hold the same grudge. This remarkable study reveals the complex social intelligence and long-term memory of these common urban birds.

Your Sunburn Isn't Your Skin 'Cooking' — It's Your Body's Emergency Rescue Mission

Ever thought a sunburn was your skin 'cooking'? Think again. That red, hot skin is actually your body's emergency response, rushing blood and immune cells to the area to repair UV damage. It's a rescue mission, not a cooking process.

The Ancient Giant Under the Sea: Unveiling the World's Largest Plant, a 4,500-Year-Old Seagrass Clone

In 2022, scientists in Western Australia discovered the world's largest plant: a single Posidonia australis seagrass clone. Spanning 180km and estimated to be 4,500 years old, this resilient ancient giant thrives by cloning itself in the challenging waters of Shark Bay.

Before Columbus: How Genetic Evidence Revealed a 1200 CE Meeting Between Polynesians and Native Americans

Stunning genetic evidence reveals Polynesians and Native Americans met around 1200 CE, nearly 300 years before Columbus. This single contact event, likely initiated by Polynesian voyagers, left a lasting genetic legacy across the Pacific and rewrites our understanding of ancient migration.

The Unbelievable Case of the Woman Who Brewed Alcohol in Her Bladder

A 61-year-old woman seeking a liver transplant was found to have yeast in her bladder fermenting sugar into alcohol. This rare condition, Urinary Auto-Brewery Syndrome, caused positive alcohol tests despite her sobriety, nearly costing her a new organ.