Words, like biological species, are engaged in what Charles Darwin called a “struggle for existence.” Some have what it takes, earning the right to roll off the next generation of tongues, while others get consigned to the pages of Merriam-Webster — or become forgotten entirely.What sets the survivors apart? A recent study in the journal PNAS, by a team of international researchers, found that many successful English words have three crucial traits: they’re acquired early in life, they r ...read more

For years, whale watching enthusiasts have flocked to West Coast shores to catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales. These gentle giants inhabit waters in the Pacific Ocean, while their numbers in the Atlantic Ocean gradually dwindled to the point of extirpation, or local extinction, centuries ago. It came as a colossal shock, then, when a single gray whale was spotted on the other side of the country near New England earlier this month. On March 1, aquarium scientists first noticed the whale d ...read more

Scientists very rarely get access to most sharks, the development of their young or the nursery grounds where they grow. So seeing a hammerhead shark(Sphyrna tiburo) embryo, halfway through its five-month development, is very unusual.Access to growing embryos is key for developmental biologists like me as we try to understand the diversity of animals on Earth. Usually the fishes I study, including other shark species, lay eggs, which allows us to easily watch development in real time.Hammerhead ...read more

In recent years, many people have turned to SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) as a safer alternative to steroids. But that’s not a good idea. Though SARMs are often marketed as “dietary supplements,” the FDA categorizes them as unregulated drugs. And they can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to know. What Are SARMs?SARMs are compounds that mimic the effects of testosterone and anabolic steroids. They were developed in the early 2000s in an attempt to find an alternative t ...read more

In a study tracking astronaut health, 22 of 24 International Space Station (ISS) visitors suffered headaches almost three times as frequently as when on Earth. Even some astronauts with no history of headaches may experience migraine and tension-type headaches during stays of 10 days or longer in space, reported a new study published in Neurology. The causes remain unclear, according to the study’s author, W. P. J. van Oosterhout, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. “Chan ...read more

The total solar eclipse is approaching on April 8, 2024, and many Americans will travel to points along the geographically narrow path of totality to see it. Indeed, standing in the range of totality as the moon blocks the sun, and day turns to night, is the ideal way to experience the event — there’s nothing quite like it. Nevertheless, millions of other Americans will have to stay closer to home for work or personal reasons and miss totality — but enjoying the event is still possible. Th ...read more

Botanical supplements are made from plants, including the root, leaf, flower, stem, and seed. Often used interchangeably with “herbal supplements,” herbs are actually a subset of botanicals. Archaeological evidence points to humans using plants for health-boosting potential as far back as 60,000 years ago — with written records by the Sumerians dating to more than 3500 years ago. Get to know some of these popular botanical supplements and how they are used today. 1. Ashwagandha(Credit: Es ...read more

Like humans, animals will do whatever it takes to win over that special someone. But for them, courtship isn’t about flowers, walks in the park, meticulously crafted texts, or suggestive emojis.The bestial prelude to love comes in many (weird, wild, even mildly horrifying) forms. From projectile poop to male-female fusion to “love darts,” here are some of the most intriguing sexual behaviors in the animal kingdom. Read More: 5 Animals That Mate for Life1. Giraffes and Urinating(Credit: Ma ...read more

By many estimations, the Amazon may be the world's mightiest river. It has the largest drainage basin in the world and is also the largest in terms of water volume.Indigenous people have also been exploring the river for millennia. In more recent centuries, other explorers have sought to find the ultimate source of South America’s great river. These have included everything from European conquistadors nearly five centuries ago to more recent scientific explorations using modern technology.Whil ...read more

Grief is one of the great paradoxes of the human condition. It’s something that, alas, everyone will experience — and more than once in the average lifetime. And yet, despite its commonality, that experience will be different for everyone. In fact, it can be different each time the same person experiences it, depending on the type of loss and when it happens. Dealing with grief has stages, and each stage has a different impact for everyone.The Stages of GriefAlthough the process of grief is ...read more