Octopuses are among the smartest marine animals. These intelligent cephalopods are known for using coconut shells as mobile homes and armor and changing colors on demand to evade predators. A new study by researchers at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that octopuses can also be strong leaders. They take charge of hunting packs and even discipline those who try to cheat....
Read news articlePlanetary rings are a natural feature of the larger outer planets like Jupiter and Neptune, but none are as spectacular as Saturn's. However, in March and November 2025, these majestic rings will not be visible to observers on Earth. Fortunately, this rare event is only an optical illusion. It is caused by the orientation of Saturn's thin rings and the planet's tilt relative to Earth. The last time this occurred was in 2009....
Read news articleSpaceX has achieved yet another groundbreaking milestone. On October 13, 2024, the aerospace company successfully flew the 233-foot (71 m) Starship rocket booster back to its launch site and caught it mid-air with two mechanical arms. Previously, SpaceX boosters landed on a floating platform or landing pad and required transportation back to the launch site....
Read news articleIn the wild, animals frequently use deceptive tactics to survive. For instance, some wasps turn spiders into "zombie" slaves to build intricate nests. Similarly, mouse-eared bats mimic hornet buzzes to avoid being preyed upon by owls. Now, a new study reveals that a crafty orb-weaver spider species has found a way to manipulate the mating signals of male fireflies to catch more prey....
Read news articleEarthworms are well-known for their ability to enrich and improve soil. Yet, their precise impact on plant growth had remained a mystery. Now, two groundbreaking studies have found that these creepy crawlers not only boost crop yields but also protect plants from harmful microplastics....
Read news articleOn October 2, 2024, a few lucky skygazers witnessed the Sun transform into a stunning "ring of fire" in the sky. The annular solar eclipse's narrow path, which began in the Pacific Ocean and ended in the Atlantic Ocean, tracked far from land. As a result, it was visible only to about 175,000 people worldwide....
Read news articleOn September 26, 2024, at 11:10 pm EST, Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, as a dangerous Category 4 storm. With sustained winds of over 140 miles per hour (225 km/h), it was the most powerful hurricane to hit the region since record-keeping began in 1851. After causing widespread damage, Helene continued on to several states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee....
Read news articleThe Internet's newest celebrities are two adorable zoo animals from opposite corners of the world. Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo, resides in Thailand, while Pesto, an unusually large king penguin chick, calls Australia home....
Read news articleGet ready for a rare celestial event! This weekend, our planet will capture a temporary "mini-moon" in the form of a small asteroid called 2024 PT5. This tiny space rock will enter Earth's orbit on September 29, 2024. However, unlike our permanent Moon, which has been with us for billions of years, 2024 PT5 will only be around for eight weeks....
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