North American hunter-gatherers may have developed an innovative method for killing Ice-Age megafauna like mammoths, according to the authors of a new study. Rather than throwing spears at their prey, members of the iconic Clovis culture might have used “braced shaft weapons”, or pikes, to inflict catastrophic injuries on their victims. “The key elements of […]
Why Do Cucumbers Come Individually Wrapped In Plastic?
Cucumbers are a berry of many talents: they’re great for your health, they’re a tasty addition to both a salad and a burger, and they terrify kittycats. But while they might be good for us, the discerning shopper may worry that they’re not that great for the planet – after all, they’re almost always sold […]
The Magma Ocean On The Moon Hypothesis Given Credence By Indian Lunar Probe
In August 2023, India became the fourth nation to successfully soft-land on the Moon, putting a lander close to the lunar South Pole, an area of great interest for future human exploration. Chandrayaan-3’s rover Pragyan conducted multiple observations of the terrain around the landing site, and it revealed some very important insights: for example, the […]
The Giant Joro Spider: How Big Are They And Why Are They Spreading?
Joro spiders have a lot about them that might get an arachnophobe’s back up. They can parachute, they can be massive, they have venom, and are spreading far out of their native range. However, they’re also shy, play dead, and can be bested by a turkey baster. Joro spider venom only poses a threat to […]
Long COVID Affects Kids And Teens Too, And We’re Now Starting To Learn How
A study of over 5,300 school-age kids and teens has shed new light on what long COVID looks like in young people. Clear differences were found between younger children and adolescents, and the researchers have now summarized the various indicators of possible long COVID for each group. Advertisement “Our study is one of the first […]
OCTOPUS Act To Ban Octopus Farming Gets 100 Scientists’ Signatures
A letter signed by 100 scientists has been published in the journal Science, asking for congressional support of the “Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies” Act. Or OCTOPUS Act, for short. The goal: to push through a federal bill that would make it illegal to farm octopuses, and sell meat […]
Humpback Whales Revealed To Be Tool Users, Catching Krill With Amazing Skill
Scientists believe that humpback whales should join the esteemed rank of tool users, along with Homo sapiens, apes, crows, and a variety of other super-smart creatures. Unlike these other clever characters, humpbacks are particularly special because they create the tools themselves and ingeniously adapt them to suit their needs. Advertisement The tools in question are […]
The Real Reason Why Oranges Are Sold In Those Red Net Bags
Have you ever wondered why oranges are often sold in those strange red net bags? Well, it’s a sneaky trick used by food producers and supermarkets to fool your senses and (hopefully) make you buy more fruit. Advertisement A red or orange plastic net around the fruit helps to give the impression that the orange […]
Beautiful New Tarantula Species With Hairy Orange Backside Discovered In The Madrean Sky Islands
New species are discovered all the time – from those that blend in so well with their surroundings that they are hard to spot, to those hiding in the most remote places on Earth waiting to be discovered. Now, in new research, scientists have discovered a new tarantula species in a case of mistaken identity. […]
Elephants Have Whiskers – But Where They Are Might Surprise You
Who doesn’t love a solid, reliable elephant? A favorite of children’s storybooks, endearing for their supposed fear of mice, and endlessly entertaining with those funky trunks. Now, new research has delved deeper into the mouthparts of elephants, helping us to understand more about how they feed and the whiskers they possess. Advertisement The three species […]
Why Mpox And COVID Are Very Different Viral Infections
With the recent declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the clade I mpox outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, it’s easy to get a spooky feeling of déjà-vu. Just over four years ago, the same agency was describing COVID-19 as the […]
Why Are US Toilet Rolls So Much Smaller Than They Used To Be?
To hear older generations tell it, everything was better in the past. Gas cost a few cents a gallon; children respected their elders; toilet paper came with 650 sheets to a roll, and the only thing you had to worry about was the constant existential threat of nuclear apocalypse looming over your head. Advertisement Now, […]
How Large Are Mine Spiders?
IFLScience needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, check out ourPrivacy Policy Deborah BloomfieldSource Link: How Large Are Mine […]
Sulfuric Acid In Venus’ Atmosphere May Be Behind Unexpected Water Distributions
The last several years have shown that there is a lot more to understand about Venus, both present and past. As worlds go, Venus is hellish. A surface temperature high enough to melt lead and a surface pressure like being a kilometer underwater don’t make it homely, plus the clouds that cover the whole planet […]
Fisherman Hospitalized After Being Slapped In The Face By A Whale Tail
A fisherman has been hospitalized after coming face-to-tail with a whale in the waters south of Brisbane, Australia. Advertisement The accident took place about a kilometer (0.6 miles) away from the Tweed Heads bar at around 8:40 am on Sunday, August 18. At the time, the man was fishing with a friend on a small […]
Renewable Electricity Production On Track To Beat Coal In US Throughout 2024
Wind farms pumped out more electricity than coal-fired power stations in the US across March and April 2024, signifying a clear milestone in the declining fortunes of fossil fuels and the rise of renewables. Advertisement Data from the US Energy Information Administration (IEA) shows that March and April were the first two consecutive months in […]
More Than 6,000 Sheep Set To Graze Around Solar Panels Over 10,100 Acres In Texas
Over 6,000 sheep are planned to be unleashed onto eight solar plants in Texas, acting as wooly gardeners by nibbling away at vegetation over more than 10,100 acres (4,087 hectares) of land. This will be the largest solar grazing agreement in the US to date, says renewable energy operator Enel North America, who are partnering […]
The Best Map Of The Milky Way Is Going To Get Better – By Tracking Almost 20 Billion Stars
The European Space Agency’s Gaia observatory has produced the most accurate map of the Milky Way, with the position and motion of almost 2 billion stars being used to better understand our galaxy’s present and past. However, teams are now looking at the future. One of them aims to conduct a follow-up mission that can […]
Great White Sharks Form 3 Distinct Groups, And That Could Spell Trouble For Their Survival
Contrary to what many of us thought, great white sharks are not made up of a single species but are actually separated into three distinct populations that inhabit different parts of the world’s oceans. The results raise concerns for conservationists, as it seems these distinct populations rarely interbreed. Advertisement The discovery was made by an […]
A Beautifully Preserved Mastodon Skeleton Has Been Unearthed In Iowa
Archaeologists have been furiously digging to unearth a stunning mastodon skeleton in Iowa. It’s the first time that well-preserved remains of the prehistoric beast have been scientifically excavated in the state – and what a beauty it is. Advertisement Researchers at the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist were first contacted in the […]
