Planets get most of the attention when it comes to astronomical discussions. Their moons, on the other hand, are a bit more obscure. Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn are well-known names, but what about Enceladus, Io, and Titan?   A whopping 293 moons, most of which are small enough to resemble asteroids, dance around the planets of our solar system. The universe is not concerned about equality here, either: For example, Venus has no moons, Earth has one, and Saturn has a staggering 146.  Thes ...read more

The Spinosaurus, a dinosaur with a large dorsal fin, narrow skulls, and crocodile-like jaws, has fascinated scientists for years. It’s accepted that the Spinosaurus was semi-aquatic, and paleontologists suspect the theropod ate fish and lived in what is now Africa during the late Cretaceous. But how the dinosaur captured its prey is controversial, and there are many ideas.Could it have chased after its prey in the water, snatched up fish with its claws, or dipped its head into the water like a ...read more

In the serene yet treacherous waters of our planet's oceans, sea turtles have thrived for ages, silently helping maintain the equilibrium of aquatic life. These marine reptiles, which are emblematic of both endurance and tranquility, play vital roles in oceanic ecosystems. However, their existence is increasingly threatened by a host of serious challenges. Take a deep dive into the life of sea turtles, exploring their diet, habitat, lifespan, threats to their existence, and what humans can do to ...read more

Zinc and quercetin are both powerful antioxidants that bolster the immune system. Many people associate zinc with fighting colds and the flu, but it also offers other health benefits. Zinc appears in every cell of the body, yet our bodies can’t produce it naturally. While quercetin may not have the same name recognition as zinc, it gained popularity during the pandemic for its potential antiviral effects, which include inhibiting inflammation. The body also can't create it. Together, these two ...read more

Sometimes opposites attract. And sometimes it only seems that way. In February 2024, a female stingray at an aquarium in North Carolina started showing signs of pregnancy while sharing her tank with several male sharks, spawning theories that the male sharks had impregnated her. But some scientists state that these theories are as improbable as they sound: No matter the circumstances, they say, sharks cannot impregnate stingrays.So, why were some people so convinced that a stingray and a shark m ...read more

One pandemic was bad enough. But in the summer of 2022, just as people were getting over the shared fear and trauma of the COVID global outbreak, world health officials declared a new public health emergency, thanks to the spread of the so-called monkeypox virus.It’s fair to say that a lot of people went ape over the news. What the heck was monkeypox? Was it anything like chickenpox … or worse, smallpox? Was this the start of another pandemic? Just how deadly was this new viral threat?Luckil ...read more

Around 13,000 years ago, humans made their way into the Amazon Basin region of South America, imparting distinct traces of culture such as massive ochre cave paintings. Revealing new information about early human migration, research spearheaded by archaeologists at the University of Exeter; the University of Antioquia, Medellín; and the University National of Colombia, Bogotá has delved into the lives and activities of ancient humans who took shelter in caves throughout the region. The finding ...read more

Looking up at the night sky can fill you with awe as you sift through the tiny points of light. Some stars are more luminous than others because of their proximity to Earth and the closest stars to Earth will appear the brightest. In astronomy, brightness is measured in negatives. This means, the larger the number, the dimmer the object. For example, Earth’s moon has a magnitude of -12.6 and our Sun has a magnitude of -26.7. The farthest stars are not seen with the naked eye, but only seen wit ...read more

Believe it or not, long before movie theaters and bowling alleys, before Settlers of Catan and Xbox, our ancestors found pleasant ways to pass their idle hours. Then as now, obligations filled only so much of the day — the rest was theirs to do with as they liked.Leisure time has always been a part of the human experience, but its role has shifted over time, differing between cultures and across hierarchical classes. From singalongs to sports to board games — not to mention the occasional p ...read more

As February 2024 drew to a close, many residents across the Midwest and parts of the western United States saw unseasonably warm temperatures. The spring weather, which usually tends to show up in mid to late March, arrived early for some of these states this year, known as “false spring.” Even though the Midwest could enjoy a warm sunny day, within hours, a winter whiplash pushed the warmth out and plummeted temperatures to below freezing.  From tornados to blizzards to record-breaking te ...read more