Most of us have a rough map of the world in our minds that we use any time we think about places. But these mental maps aren’t necessarily reliable. In fact, many of the maps in our heads share the sa...
Potential super-Earth found nearby after decades-long hunt
Just six light-years away, a frozen world seems to be orbiting a small, dim red star. If it’s truly there, the alien planet would at least partly fulfill a fantasy decades in the making, and it could ...
Man-eating fish, Tower of Babel revealed on ancient mosaic
More stunning scenes have been uncovered at the site of a fifth-century synagogue in Israel, where archaeologists have been excavating an ornate mosaic floor since 2012. The discoveries at Huqoq, a si...
Meet the colorful people devoting their lives to parrots
When firefighter Brian Wilson retired in 1995, he planned to fill his days teaching fire and public safety classes to children. He liked to bring along his three parrots for these public appearances; ...
6 European Christmas markets worth the trip
Winter markets took place over the course of several days, instead of week, letting residents stock up on baskets, wood carvings, seasonal food, and other supplies for the looming cold months. Dresden ...
How artificial intelligence is changing wildlife research
San Diego Zoo’s Jenna Stacy-Dawes knows all too well the urgency of her research. Reticulated giraffes across the regions in northern Kenya that she studies have declined up to 70 percent in the past ...
These wild monkeys thrive in Florida—and carry a deadly virus
In the heart of central Florida lies Silver Spring State Park—a large patchwork of forests and wetlands with a spring-fed river flowing through it. One of Florida’s first tourist attractions, the park ...
Ancient DNA reveals complex migrations of the first Americans
“Where do I come from?” That's perhaps one of the most fundamental questions for humanity. Now, three studies of ancient and modern human DNA are offering some intriguing answers by providing a detail...
See how a warmer world primed California for large fires
Fires are natural in California: Many of its ecosystems, from the chaparral of Southern California to the northern pine forests, evolved to burn frequently. But since the 1980s, the size and ferocity ...
Sleep hacks for your overnight flight
Arianna Huffington doesn’t lose much sleep. In her new book, The Sleep Revolution, the former president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post advocates for frequent dozing off, and also offers ti...