In the summer of 2014, millions of people worldwide dumped buckets of ice water over their heads and challenged others to do the same. But this was not just for fun — they were taking on the Ice Bucket Challenge. The campaign, which went viral on social media, aimed to raise awareness and funds for ALS research, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It raised an impressive $115 million for the ALS Association in just a few months....

On April 23, 2025, the Philadelphia Zoo introduced four female hatchlings of the critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises to the public. The new arrivals were named Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia — after characters from the iconic television series The Golden Girls. They are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in its 150-year history. Prior to this, there were only 44 Western Santa Cruz tortoises in US zoos, including three at Philadelphia....

Just when it seemed every color under the sun had been named, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified a new one. Called “olo,” this shade lies outside the normal range of human vision. It can only be seen under specific conditions using a laser. The five people who have seen "olo" describe it as a "blue-green of unprecedented saturation."...

Sharks have always been considered silent swimmers. Unlike most fish, these top ocean predators lack sound-producing organs. But recent research suggests this might not be true for all sharks. At least one species produces noise, challenging our understanding of these stealthy hunters....

One of the biggest challenges for long-term stays on the Moon is creating safe shelters for astronauts. Researchers have long believed that lunar caves might be the answer. These natural shelters could protect astronauts from the extreme temperature swings and constant exposure to space radiation. They might even have water ice. However, finding such caves had proved elusive....

When a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on April 14, 2025, a camera at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park captured a powerful display of animal instinct. As the ground shook, three African elephants quickly formed a protective circle around the two young calves. Their reaction offers a rare glimpse into the mammals' natural defense strategy....

Earth Day 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the global environmental effort that began on April 22, 1970. The first Earth Day united 20 million Americans — about 10% of the US population at the time — to demand environmental protections....

A glowing green comet is captivating skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere. Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) was first spotted by amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo on March 29, 2025. He discovered it while looking through images from the Solar Wind Anisotropies camera aboard NASA's Solar Heliospheric Observatory. Since then, the comet has been seen multiple times with the help of telescopes....

The Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is famous for its frequent eruptions and breathtaking displays of molten lava. But recent activity has been even more spectacular than usual. Some lava fountains have soared as high as 1,000 feet (304 m). Such eruptions have not been seen in over 65 years....

With advanced air filters and strict cleaning routines, the International Space Station (ISS) is one of the cleanest places beyond Earth. Yet astronauts often experience a range of health issues while aboard. A new study suggests that one reason may be that the ISS is too clean!...

Fast fashion has made clothing cheaper than ever, but at a high environmental cost. Earth.org estimates that about 92 million tons of unwanted clothing end up in landfills every year. That is the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes being dumped every second. Thomas Harter and his team at Austria's Graz University of Technology hope to help reduce this waste by using discarded clothes to create stronger packaging material....

With 146 moons, Saturn had already surpassed its closest competitor, Jupiter, which has just 95. The discovery of 128 more has pushed Saturn's total to 274, further cementing its title as the "moon king." That is nearly twice the combined total of all other planets....

Ever wondered how many calories are on your plate? Cal AI, a smart fitness app, gives you instant answers. Simply take a picture of the food, and the app will provide you with an accurate calorie and nutritional breakdown to help you make smarter dietary choices....

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Blue Origin's 11th human spaceflight, NS-31, will launch with an all-female crew on April 14, 2025. This will be the first all-female crewed mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's historic solo flight in 1963. She was the first woman in space....

On the heels of the spectacular total lunar eclipse on March 13, 2025, comes another celestial spectacle. On March 29, 2025, some lucky stargazers will witness a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse will be visible in varying degrees across northeastern North America, much of Europe, and Russia....

When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched for the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, they expected to be back within eight days. However, concerns about the spacecraft's safety extended their stay at the ISS for nine months. The astronauts finally returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon on March 18, 2025....

Colossal Biosciences is on a quest to bring back the woolly mammoth. On March 1, 2025, the Texas-based startup came one step closer to its goal with the creation of genetically-modified "woolly mice." Featuring thick, golden fur and curled whiskers, the rodents have characteristics similar to those of the woolly mammoth....

A holiday dedicated to a math constant might not sound thrilling. But Pi ("π") Day, celebrated annually in the US on March 14 (3/14), is an exception. The festivities usually start with pi-themed activities to celebrate the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter (approximately 3.14). But they almost always end with a delicious slice of pie....

Water is crucial for setting up a human base on the Moon. But if researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences succeed, this will no longer be a hurdle. They have found a way to produce large amounts of water using the hydrogen in lunar soil....

With two pairs of antennae, large compound eyes, and four sets of jaws, giant isopods look like creatures from a science fiction movie. Now, researchers have discovered a new "supergiant" isopod species with a head strikingly similar to Darth Vader’s helmet. In a nod to the iconic Star Wars villain, they have named it Bathynomus vaderi (B. vaderi)....

Skywatchers can look forward to a spectacular total lunar eclipse this month. The event will take place overnight from March 13 to 14, 2025, and will be visible from anywhere on Earth's night side. The best views will be in North and South America. Parts of Europe may catch a glimpse of the eclipse at moonset, while East Asia will see it at moonrise. The last total lunar eclipse was in November 2022, and the next one will not be until March 2026....

Plants undergoing stress, such as drought or insect damage, use various tactics to defend themselves and warn others of danger. Some release strong scents, while others change color and shape. A recent study found that stressed plants even produce popping or clicking sounds. However, humans cannot hear them because they are at frequencies beyond our hearing range....

Cockatoos are highly intelligent birds. Past studies show that they can solve complex problems, use tools, and even mimic human speech. Now, researchers have discovered that these clever birds have learned to dip bland food into sauces, possibly to improve its taste....