Animals

December 7, 2024

Unusual Sea Creature Puzzles Marine Scientists by Aging in Reverse

Many people would love to turn back time and go back to being their younger selves. While that's impossible for humans, a sea creature can do it as a survival technique. A recent study found that the Mnemiopsis leidyi, also known as the warty comb jelly or sea walnut, has the ability to return to its larval stage after dealing with stress or trauma. It all started when Joan J.

Read Article

December 2, 2024

Pack of Gray Wolves Has Been Detected Near California National Park for the First Time in 100 Years

Native gray wolves, once nearly driven to extinction in California by game hunters in the 19th and 20th centuries, are making an extraordinary comeback. Recently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discovered a rare pack in Sierra Valley, about 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe. This exciting discovery marks a significant milestone in the species’ resurgence, as they reclaim their ancestral territory.

Read Article

November 24, 2024

New Study Reveals Dolphins ‘Smile’ to Signal Playfulness

Have you ever seen a photo of a dolphin grinning, almost posing for the camera? It turns out that ‘cheesy' expression isn't a coincidence. A recent study published in iScience found that bottlenose dolphins often exhibit open-mouth expressions during playful exchanges. When one dolphin observes another making this “smile,” it often mimics it—a behavior known as rapid facial mimicry.

Read Article

November 19, 2024

Birders Shatter World Record by Documenting Over 7,800 Species of Birds Within a Single Day

Within the birding community, the “big year” challenge serves as an informal goal to encounter as many species of birds as possible within a calendar year and specific geographic area. This past October, however, the yearly challenge was compressed into a single day. Birdwatchers from more than 200 countries joined the October Big Day 2024 challenge, shattering world records by documenting over 7,800 species within just one day.

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.