Animals & Plants

Timid Joro spiders spreading across southeastern U.S.

Contrary to their intimidating appearance, the giant yellow and blue-black Joro spiders spreading across the Southeastern U.S. are surprisingly timid. A new study from the...

What does it take to thrive in cities, if you’re a bird

As cities gobble up natural spaces, some birds have learned to live alongside skyscrapers, traffic and noise — and large numbers of humans.

Owning houseplants can boost your mental health – here’s how to pick the right...

In both Europe and the US, people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. But spending so much time inside can have consequences...

These birds carry poison in their feathers

Research in the jungle of New Guinea reveals two species of birds that carry a powerful neurotoxin. “These birds contain a neurotoxin that they can...

Earth’s first plants likely to have been branched

A new discovery by scientists at the University of Bristol changes ideas about the origin of branching in plants. By studying the mechanisms responsible for...

What Chornobyl dogs can tell us about survival in contaminated environments

The two groups of dogs, one at the site of the former Chornobyl reactors and another 16.5 km away in Chornobyl City, had significant genetic differences between them, indicating that these are two distinct populations that rarely interbreed.

Even without ears on the outside, snakes can hear sound

Contrary to popular belief, snakes can hear and react to airborne sound, according to a new study.

Scientists discover the largest penguin that ever lived on Earth

Fossil bones from two newly-described penguin species, one of them thought to be the largest penguin to ever live – weighing more than 150 kilograms, more than three times the size of the largest living penguins – have been unearthed in New Zealand.

The ants go marching … methodically

When strolling through an unfamiliar grocery store, you may find yourself methodically walking down each aisle to ensure you find everything you need without...

When he stopped breathing, his dog called out for help

On a Friday morning in late February, Ken Walsh and his wife, Nicole, sat on their couch in East Brunswick, New Jersey, having coffee...