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The Nature, 2475 Edington Drive, Atlanta, GA (2025)

08/21/2025

This dino didn’t just leave bones behind—its face, skin, and even stomach contents were preserved!

In an astonishing paleontological breakthrough, scientists uncovered one of the most complete dinosaur fossils ever found: a 110-million-year-old ankylosaur with its face, skin, armor, and even stomach contents nearly intact.

The fossil, discovered in 2011 and painstakingly excavated over six years by technician Mark Mitchell at Canada’s Royal Tyrrell Museum, is so well-preserved that researchers could see the texture of its skin and the arrangement of its armor spikes. In honor of his work, the new species was named Borealopelta markmitchelli.

The fossil’s remarkable preservation has allowed scientists to publish groundbreaking studies on dinosaur behavior, appearance, and even diet. Researchers found that the creature likely used countershading camouflage—dark on top, light underneath—a surprising trait for such a heavily armored dinosaur. Other insights suggest that its spiky armor may have been more about attracting mates than fighting predators. And with its last meal still fossilized inside, Borealopelta gives a rare glimpse into what plant life these ancient creatures dined on. It's a discovery that not only shows the face of a dinosaur—but reveals a whole new side of their world.

08/21/2025

This poor spider got stuck in a glass and couldn’t climb the smooth surface. It tried to build a web to the top, until its silk ran out.

Spiders are masters of creation. A single spider can create several meters of silk per hour.

Some species can even make as much as 2,000 feet of continuous thread. They use it for trapping prey, protecting their eggs, and to get from one place to another — sometimes by spinning a thread in a strong breeze to fly to another location.

08/21/2025

Planted in 1885, the “Shady Lady” rose bush now covers over 8,000 square feet — making it the largest in the world!

It lives behind a modest boarding house in Tombstone, Arizona.

The Lady Banksia rose bush —affectionately called the "Shady Lady" — has grown into a botanical marvel over the course of more than a century.
Today, it stretches across more than 8,000 square feet, forming a canopy of delicate white blossoms that shades the property like a floral umbrella.

This remarkable rose bush is more than just a record-breaker; it's a living link to the past. With a trunk as thick as a tree and branches that require a trellis system for support, the Shady Lady is a testament to nature’s resilience and the beauty of long-term growth

08/21/2025

73% of children in the United States thought that pigs were inedible.

In a revealing U.S. study, researchers found that a significant number of young children are deeply confused about where their food comes from—over 40% of 4- to 7-year-olds believed bacon came from plants.

Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the study surveyed 176 children and uncovered a surprising disconnect: many kids misidentified meat products like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken nuggets as plant-based, while others mistakenly believed that French fries and almonds came from animals.

Even more striking, the majority believed cows, pigs, and chickens were inedible.

Psychologists behind the study suggest this confusion may stem from a lack of transparent communication from adults. Many parents may avoid explaining the origins of meat out of discomfort, inadvertently fostering misunderstandings. But researchers argue this presents a powerful opportunity: children, who may intuitively reject the idea of eating animals, could be more open to plant-based diets when properly informed. The study proposes that early education around food sources—combined with more ethical food options—could lead to lasting shifts in eating habits and even broader environmental awareness.

08/21/2025

🕷 Scientists turned dead spiders into biohybrid robots. They live.

In a macabre but ingenious twist on robotics, scientists at Rice University have created “necrobots” — mechanical devices made from the corpses of dead wolf spiders.

These biohybrid grippers take advantage of the spider’s unique hydraulic leg system, which normally allows them to extend and retract limbs through fluid pressure.

By inserting a needle and sealing the prosoma (a chamber responsible for leg movement), researchers can manipulate the spider’s legs using air pressure, effectively turning the lifeless arachnids into small-scale robotic claws.

This eerie innovation isn’t just a scientific novelty — it has potential practical applications. The necrobotic spiders proved surprisingly durable, surviving about 1,000 gripping cycles before breaking down.

Their natural camouflage could make them ideal for insect collection in the wild, while their precise, delicate grip might one day assist in assembling fragile components like microelectronics. By reimagining nature’s design even after death, necrobotics opens a door to sustainable, biodegradable robotics that could change the way we approach automation and engineering.

08/21/2025

Some of the world's oldest human art wasn't made by homo sapien.s

This is the world's oldest human fingerprint, dating back 43,000 years — and it was made by a Neanderthal.

Found on a rock in a cave shelter near Segovia, Spain, the fingerprint was created using red ocher, a natural pigment.

Scientists believe the Neanderthal who left it may have been trying to make symbolic art. The fingerprint forms a red dot placed on a potato-shaped rock with features that resemble a human face. Researchers think the dot was meant to represent a nose.

The fingerprint is the oldest ever found and shows clear evidence of deliberate placement, including a visible whorl pattern—likely from an adult male. The rock itself was probably brought to the site from a nearby river, chosen because of its face-like shape.

This find supports the idea that Neanderthals were capable of symbolic thinking and artistic expression, not just basic survival. However, not everyone agrees it’s art. Some experts say it's hard to prove that the red dot had symbolic meaning. One archaeologist noted that the mark could just as easily be interpreted as a belly button if the rock is turned upside down. Still, most agree the fingerprint was made on purpose and that it adds to growing evidence that Neanderthals made objects with no practical use—possibly for cultural or artistic reasons. This discovery is important because it challenges the long-held belief that only early modern humans made symbolic art. If Neanderthals were also expressing themselves this way, it means their minds may have been more similar to ours than we thought.

08/21/2025

These nearly perfectly preserved pups are 14,000 years old.

Two remarkably preserved Ice Age wolf pups discovered in Siberian permafrost have revealed fascinating insights into ancient predator life.

Initially suspected to be ancient pups on the path to becoming “man’s best friend,” genetic analysis confirmed they were, in fact, pure wolves from a now-extinct lineage, unrelated to modern domestic dogs.

The 14,000-year-old siblings, found near mammoth bones in Tumat, Russia, were just weeks old when they died, yet their black fur and remarkably intact bodies sparked initial theories of early domestication.

Beyond their genetics, what they ate tells a dramatic story. Researchers studying their stomach contents found remains of a woolly rhinoceros—an impressive, unexpected meal for such young creatures. This suggests their pack may have hunted larger prey, hinting at a potentially more robust wolf variant than we see today. While they aren’t the missing link in dog domestication, these pups offer a vivid glimpse into Ice Age ecology and the lives of ancient wolves that once prowled alongside mammoths and early humans.

08/21/2025

Imagine creating water in the desert without electricity. MIT just made it possible.

MIT engineers have developed a revolutionary origami-inspired hydrogel device that passively harvests drinking water from the air without requiring any electricity.

Roughly the size of a windowpane, this black, hydrogel-filled panel can absorb water v***r at night and release it during the day, collecting the condensed water inside a glass chamber with a cooling layer.

Tested in California’s Death Valley, one of North America’s driest environments, the device consistently produced clean water — even at humidity levels as low as 21%.

This innovative system uses no power, no solar panels, and no filters, making it ideal for water-scarce, off-grid regions. Key to its performance is a specially formulated hydrogel stabilized with glycerol to prevent salt leakage, shaped in a bubble-wrap-like design to maximize surface area.

With potential to be scaled into multi-panel arrays, this low-cost, maintenance-free water harvester could offer a sustainable solution to the global water crisis, which affects billions worldwide.

08/21/2025

Urban dogs have started exhibiting remarkably complex behavior —from obeying traffic signals to sending the cutest members to beg.

And scientists say it is challenging assumptions about animal cognition.

In the bustling heart of Moscow, some of the city’s 35,000 stray dogs have mastered an unlikely survival strategy: riding the subway.

Scientists have documented that a small but savvy group of these dogs not only navigates the sprawling Metro system but also knows which stops to get on and off.

Remarkably, they exhibit advanced behaviors such as avoiding crowded areas, adapting to loud subway noise, and even selecting specific pack members to beg for food — often choosing smaller or cuter dogs who are more likely to draw sympathy and snacks from commuters.

Biologists like Dr. Andrey Poyarkov, who has studied Moscow’s street dogs for decades, emphasize that this is not mere instinct but a demonstration of adaptive intelligence.

These dogs have learned to read human behavior and exploit it, mirroring strategies that suggest conscious problem-solving. From obeying traffic lights to seamlessly blending into human crowds, their behavior offers compelling evidence that animals are not just surviving in urban environments—they're learning to thrive by reading and responding to the world around them. Moscow’s subway dogs aren’t just riding the rails—they’re rewriting what we know about animal intelligence.

08/21/2025

🚨 WARNING: This is not a clump of hair — it's a venomous caterpillar.

And it has one of the most painful stings ever recorded.

It may look like an innocent tuft of fur, but the "puss caterpillar" is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States.

The larval form of the southern flannel moth, this creature's silky, hair-like covering hides venomous spines capable of delivering a painful sting. People who come into contact with the caterpillar often report intense burning sensations, swelling, nausea, and even difficulty breathing.

The deceptive appearance—resembling a harmless clump of hair—makes accidental encounters particularly dangerous, especially for children and pet owners.

Found primarily in the southeastern U.S., especially in states like Texas and Florida, the puss caterpillar tends to inhabit trees and shrubs in shaded areas. As climate patterns shift and warmer temperatures extend their habitat, these caterpillars are being reported in areas farther north. Experts advise not to touch fuzzy caterpillars in general unless you're sure of the species. What may seem soft and harmless could pack a surprisingly painful punch.

08/21/2025

🚨 It's official. Earth will be over 158°F (70°C) and completely unlivable.

As we've long known, a new supercontinent is forming on Earth.

And a supercomputer-driven study shows that when this happens, no mammals will survive.

In around 250 million years, Earth will once again be home to a single supercontinent—Pangea Ultima. But this massive landmass, coupled with a hotter Sun and elevated carbon dioxide levels, will create a planet too hostile for most life, including humans.

Temperatures could soar up to 70°C (158°F), and extreme humidity will make it impossible for mammals to regulate body heat.

Inland regions, far from moderating coastlines, would be especially brutal due to the “continentality effect,” creating vast deserts devoid of food and water.

What’s more alarming is that these projections are based on the assumption that fossil fuel burning will eventually stop. If emissions continue unchecked, those dangerous carbon dioxide levels could arrive much sooner than millions of years from now.

While this study offers a dramatic view of Earth’s long-term climate trajectory, the authors emphasize its immediate relevance. Current global warming is already producing deadly heat, and the study serves as a stark reminder of what lies ahead if greenhouse gas emissions aren't curbed. The clock is ticking—not just for the distant future, but for the present.

08/20/2025

🪲 A single opossum can eat over 5,000 ticks in a season, helping stop the spread of many diseases.

No, they are not "pests."

Despite their reputation, they rarely carry rabies and provide vital pest control for yards and ecosystems.

Though their 50 sharp teeth, nocturnal habits, and dramatic “playing dead” defense might give off spooky vibes, these creatures play a vital role in keeping our environments cleaner and healthier.

Opossums are natural scavengers, consuming roadkill, rotting fruit, dead animals, and even garbage—organic waste that could otherwise attract more dangerous pests or spread disease. They’re like free, furry janitors working the night shift while the rest of us sleep.

Beyond cleanup, opossums are powerhouses when it comes to pest and disease control. They’re one of the few wild animals with an extremely low risk of carrying rabies due to their cool body temperature.

Even more impressively, a single opossum can consume over 5,000 ticks per season by grooming them off and swallowing them—a habit that helps reduce the spread of Lyme disease. Their value to human health and the environment is significant, even if their appearance isn’t winning popularity contests. So the next time you spot an opossum under your porch, remember: it's not a threat—it's a hard-working ally.

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