Science News Explores
Science News Explores
Articles from Science News Explores
snexplores.orgSome Antarctic fish arrange their nests into odd shapes
Scientists found nests organized into curves, clusters and ovals on the Antarctic seabed. Such groupings may protect the fish eggs from predators.
Woodpeckers grunt like tennis players when they peck
Muscle movements and breathing team up to give these birds their iconic hammering motion
Polar bears leave thousands of tons of food scraps for other species
As these bears decline, Arctic scavengers could lose a critical food source, new data show.
Let’s learn about lab-grown meat
Lab-grown meat may still be several years away from your local grocery. But such alternatives to farmed or free-range meats are on their way.
Flamingos hunt by creating their own underwater tornadoes
Chilean flamingos use their beaks and feet to create underwater whirlpools that suck in prey.
Beware the vipers: These snakes appear to strike the fastest
Some vipers are the sprinters of snakes. Researchers compared 36 venomous snakes from three families. Vipers wielded the fastest attacks. Some members of one of the other families could give slower vipers stiff competition.
Rudolph’s red nose could glow through bioluminescence
But thanks to physics, his snout might appear different colors to observers on the ground
Award-winning micro-photos depict stunning details of nature
From fluorescent ferns to sprawling neurons, photos in the 2025 Nikon Small World contest showcased the artistry of life as seen through a microscope.
Scientists Say: Kleptotrichy
Based on the Greek words for theft and hair, kleptotrichy is a more common bird behavior than people thought.
Some gifted dogs can learn to sort their toys
Among dogs known to be gifted word learners, some can also sort toys by how they are used during play time. It’s one sign of a complex thought process.
Birds are singing longer, thanks to light pollution
Light pollution makes birds work overtime. It’s unclear how this extra singing might hurt or help birds.
Scientists Say: Infrasound
“Listening” for changes in these deep rumblings can allow scientists to predict earthquakes and other geological events.
Comb-like wings help the tiniest insects swim through ‘syrupy’ air
When you're the size of a grain of sand, flying through air is like swimming through a syrup. Bristled wings help the tiniest insects manage this.
Save the sharks to save the ocean
Humans have driven sharks and their cousins to the brink of extinction, but it’s not too late to turn the tide. At stake is the health of the entire ocean.
A shark encounter inspired this researcher’s career in marine biology
Heidy Martinez never wanted to study sharks as a kid. That changed after encountering a white shark in South Africa.
Let’s learn about tardigrades
These tiny animals can survive drying out, freezing, harsh radiation and other hazards.
Quashing the spotted lanternfly may require help from other species
This invasive pest has spread to 17 U.S. states and may threaten vineyards. But bats, fungi, dogs and even trees may help halt the lanternfly's spread.
A real-life vampire probably couldn’t survive on blood alone
Vampires often have human bodies. To survive on blood, they’d need to shed millions of years of evolution.
Birds of paradise have a newly discovered glow
Many male birds of paradise have bellies, bills and other parts that glow under certain types of light. This special gleam may help them woo mates.
Frogs evolved a wide variety of vocal sacs to amplify their ribbits
Maybe you've seen frogs with ballooning throats, but what about pop-out poofs and fat ear bumps?
Young capuchins are kidnapping baby howler monkeys
The disturbing habit has emerged among capuchin monkeys on a remote island off Panama. Scientists are baffled — and concerned.
Orange cats get their ginger color from a single gene ‘cutout’
The variant gene is found on the X chromosome. This sex-linked trait for orange fur is found only in domesticated cats.
Whale pee is an ocean bounty
Some migrating cetaceans move thousands of miles to their breeding grounds, where whale urine fertilizes ocean waters with valuable nutrients.
Captive-breeding axolotls may help avoid their extinction
The axolotl program's success shows promise in helping protect this highly popular amphibian — currently found in only one lake — from dying out in the wild.
Parakeets talk using brain areas similar to ours
Brain activity during vocalizing in small parrots — called budgerigars or parakeets — shows a similar pattern to what’s seen in people.
Some Antarctic fish arrange their nests into odd shapes
Scientists found nests organized into curves, clusters and ovals on the Antarctic seabed. Such groupings may protect the fish eggs from predators.
Woodpeckers grunt like tennis players when they peck
Muscle movements and breathing team up to give these birds their iconic hammering motion
Polar bears leave thousands of tons of food scraps for other species
As these bears decline, Arctic scavengers could lose a critical food source, new data show.
Let’s learn about lab-grown meat
Lab-grown meat may still be several years away from your local grocery. But such alternatives to farmed or free-range meats are on their way.
Flamingos hunt by creating their own underwater tornadoes
Chilean flamingos use their beaks and feet to create underwater whirlpools that suck in prey.
Beware the vipers: These snakes appear to strike the fastest
Some vipers are the sprinters of snakes. Researchers compared 36 venomous snakes from three families. Vipers wielded the fastest attacks. Some members of one of the other families could give slower vipers stiff competition.
Rudolph’s red nose could glow through bioluminescence
But thanks to physics, his snout might appear different colors to observers on the ground
Award-winning micro-photos depict stunning details of nature
From fluorescent ferns to sprawling neurons, photos in the 2025 Nikon Small World contest showcased the artistry of life as seen through a microscope.
Scientists Say: Kleptotrichy
Based on the Greek words for theft and hair, kleptotrichy is a more common bird behavior than people thought.
Some gifted dogs can learn to sort their toys
Among dogs known to be gifted word learners, some can also sort toys by how they are used during play time. It’s one sign of a complex thought process.
Birds are singing longer, thanks to light pollution
Light pollution makes birds work overtime. It’s unclear how this extra singing might hurt or help birds.
Scientists Say: Infrasound
“Listening” for changes in these deep rumblings can allow scientists to predict earthquakes and other geological events.
Comb-like wings help the tiniest insects swim through ‘syrupy’ air
When you're the size of a grain of sand, flying through air is like swimming through a syrup. Bristled wings help the tiniest insects manage this.
Save the sharks to save the ocean
Humans have driven sharks and their cousins to the brink of extinction, but it’s not too late to turn the tide. At stake is the health of the entire ocean.
A shark encounter inspired this researcher’s career in marine biology
Heidy Martinez never wanted to study sharks as a kid. That changed after encountering a white shark in South Africa.
Let’s learn about tardigrades
These tiny animals can survive drying out, freezing, harsh radiation and other hazards.
Quashing the spotted lanternfly may require help from other species
This invasive pest has spread to 17 U.S. states and may threaten vineyards. But bats, fungi, dogs and even trees may help halt the lanternfly's spread.
A real-life vampire probably couldn’t survive on blood alone
Vampires often have human bodies. To survive on blood, they’d need to shed millions of years of evolution.
Birds of paradise have a newly discovered glow
Many male birds of paradise have bellies, bills and other parts that glow under certain types of light. This special gleam may help them woo mates.
Frogs evolved a wide variety of vocal sacs to amplify their ribbits
Maybe you've seen frogs with ballooning throats, but what about pop-out poofs and fat ear bumps?
Young capuchins are kidnapping baby howler monkeys
The disturbing habit has emerged among capuchin monkeys on a remote island off Panama. Scientists are baffled — and concerned.
Orange cats get their ginger color from a single gene ‘cutout’
The variant gene is found on the X chromosome. This sex-linked trait for orange fur is found only in domesticated cats.
Whale pee is an ocean bounty
Some migrating cetaceans move thousands of miles to their breeding grounds, where whale urine fertilizes ocean waters with valuable nutrients.
Captive-breeding axolotls may help avoid their extinction
The axolotl program's success shows promise in helping protect this highly popular amphibian — currently found in only one lake — from dying out in the wild.
Parakeets talk using brain areas similar to ours
Brain activity during vocalizing in small parrots — called budgerigars or parakeets — shows a similar pattern to what’s seen in people.
1