A special brood of cicadas—an ancient lineage of the periodical insects—is set to burst from the soil this May and June, covering more of the United States than any other 17-year brood. These bugs—collectively known as Brood XIV—have been biding their time underground since the last Bush administration, biding their time and counting the years […]
Shark Attacks on Humans Aren’t Always What They Seem, Scientists Say
Sharks might not be as responsible for rare human bites as we assumed. In a study released today, scientists argue that at least some shark bites should be considered a form of self-defense. Marine biologists from France led the research, published in Frontiers in Conservation Science. After analyzing shark bite data from throughout the world, they […]
Wild Pharmacists: The Surprising Ways Animals Self-Medicate
Going to the doctor or reaching for an over-the-counter drug when you’re feeling sick may seem like uniquely human activities. After all, when’s the last time you saw a pigeon with a bum wing sporting a cast? But as scientists are steadily learning, the basis of medicine—the act of doing something to relieve or prevent […]
Peeing Can Be Contagious for Both People and Chimps
It looks like humans aren’t the only ones who occasionally go the bathroom in groups. A study out this week shows that peeing can sometimes be contagious among chimpanzees, too. Scientists at Kyoto University in Japan led the research, which was published Monday in the journal Current Biology. They observed captive chimpanzees living at the Kumamoto […]