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Two polar bears (Ursus maritimus) playing together on ice and snow in Churchill, Manitoba.

These 7 Animals Live Their Best Lives During Winter’s Coldest Temps

Winter’s harsh weather conditions famously send certain animals, like black and grizzly bears, running for the hills — and into their dens, more specifically, where their renowned ability to sleep for months on end helps them avoid the cold altogether. But during the most frigid months of the year, other animals are actually living their […]

WASHINGTON, DC December 2, 2024: Christmas decoration in the Center Hall during the media preview of the seasonal décor at the White House in Washington, Monday, December 2, 2024. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

28,000 Ornaments, 165,000 Lights, and a Whole Lotta Icing: Inside the White House’s 2024 Holiday Decor

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House: The halls have been decked with more than 165,000 holiday lights, 9,810 feet of ribbon, 83 trimmed trees, and over 28,125 ornaments, all with the help of approximately 300 elves — er, volunteers — who brought the winter wonderland to life in our […]

The World’s First “Flying” Electric Ferry Is Coming to Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is famous for its mesmerizingly clear opal water and the pine and fir trees lining its rim, all against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains. But soon, you may see an (arguably) even more impressive sight darting across the lake’s surface: the first-ever “flying” ferry. Thanks to a partnership between local organization FlyTahoe and […]

This photograph shows the facade of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on November 29, 2024, ahead of a visit of the French President. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to re-open early December 2024, with a planned weekend of ceremonies on December 7 and 8, 2024, five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilised for the five-year restoration costing hundreds of millions of euros. (Photo by Christophe PETIT TESSON / POOL / AFP)

Following a Nearly 6-Year Restoration, Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens Its Doors to the Public: See Inside

When a fire broke out at the Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019, people the world over grieved with Parisians as centuries of history and culture went up in smoke alongside the sacred structure. In the nearly six years since, restoration teams have been working tirelessly to resurrect France’s iconic church, which was built over […]

Labradoodle and doberman dogs sitting together in a garden in the North East of England. They are being trained with treats.

Research Confirms What Dog Owners Already Knew: Pups Have Always Been in It for the Treats

A slight crinkle of the bag is all it takes for a dog’s ears to perk, tail to wag, and paws to come tippy-tapping down the hall to receive (or beg for) a treat. It’s a tale as old as time — and according to a study published Dec. 5 in Science Advances, that saying […]

The underwater world of Philippines, Southeast Asia, Pacific Ocean.

“A Groundbreaking Discovery”: Scientists Finally Pinpoint How Fish Pick Their Own Birthday

Kids with summer birthdays get it: It can be frustrating when the timing of a major life event yields unwanted outcomes, like not being able to celebrate with friends in class. But for fish, the timing of their birth can lead to more serious consequences — like whether they live or die. So, these young […]

The Science of Sourdough Bread — And One Beginner’s Attempt at Baking It

There’s something about sourdough. Even if you prefer a crusty French baguette paired with your bowl of soup, as I do, a sourdough loaf has undeniable appeal. It’s chewy. It’s tangy. It’s made from a weird living thing you keep in your fridge and feed like some sort of gooey pet. Ah yes, as so […]

Silly Squirrels, Seals, and Eagles, Oh My! See the Top Comedy Wildlife Pics of 2024

If you’re in the mood for a good chuckle (who isn’t?), the winners of the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are in and they’re sure to make you smile at the very least. First up: The overall winning photograph, seen above, is aptly titled “Stuck Squirrel” and was captured by Milko Marchetti in Italy. […]

Vector drawing style set abstract colors round Doodle funny faces with various Emotions isolated collection

Happy Livers and Angry Feet: Study Reveals Where the Ancient Mesopotamians Felt Emotions

“Smile in your liver,” Bali medicine man Ketut Liyer urges Elizabeth Gilbert in the author’s iconic memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. The sentiment is heartwarming, but it likely left some readers wondering: How do you smile, or express any emotion at all, in your liver? While many modern-day humans aren’t familiar with this concept, the ancient […]

(HR) Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post

These (Adorable) Avalanche Dogs Are Trained to Save People Every Winter Across the US

For sporty snow bunnies, skiing is one of winter’s great joys, but the cold weather recreation isn’t without risk. Not only does it take some serious skill to careen down a mountain on two runners — or one, if you’re a snowboarder — you’re also up against the elements. Though they’re luckily rare occurrences at […]

Microscopic real 3D model of the corona virus COVID-19. The image is a scientific interpretation of the virus with all relevant details : Spike Glycoproteins, Hemagglutinin-esterase, E- and M-Proteins and Envelope.

This Tiny Robot Hand Can Snatch Viruses Inside the Body Before They Infect You: See an Illustration

Typically when you get COVID-19, your immune system produces antibodies that block the virus’ spike proteins from infecting your cells further. But what if you could prevent those proteins from attaching in the first place? What if you could just reach a tiny little hand inside your body and *pluck* the harmful virus out before […]

Shot of a father and daughter reading the newspaper

What Went Right in 2024: 8 Happy and Hopeful News Stories From the Past Year

It’s a human reality: We tend to remember negative experiences and stories over positive ones. Scientific research backs that up, but it also shows that we can adapt those memories by taking a more optimistic approach to our recollections. All that’s to say, if you find yourself only thinking about the lows of 2024, Nice […]