Caterpillars have the reputation of being harmless larvae who have yet to become butterflies and moths. But don’t underestimate these partially developed creatures. They come with their own unique biology, including defenses against predators. This includes camouflage, foul-smelling repellents, and venom. However, their arsenal is not reserved for hungry birds, reptiles, amphibians, and larger insects....
If you enjoy learning about history, especially the Georgian and Victorian eras, you would have heard about doctors prescribing “sea air” to their patients. Several months relaxing by the seaside may seem like a dreamy but pointless treatment nowadays, especially for things like tuberculosis, which is cured with antibiotics. But don’t dismiss seaside stays along...
Resilience means different things to different people. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), it is “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” In other words, psychological resilience refers to how people can recover from...
When ants cover an animal’s body, it’s usually because the creature is dead. But that’s not always the case when it comes to birds. Some species allow ants to crawl over their wings and feathers in a process called anting. Crows in particular are known for taking part in this trend. Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers...
Many people appreciate Costco for great prices and quality products. High on their shopping lists are usually items under Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signatures. One way Costco keeps its prices down is by selling products in bulk. Therefore, shoppers tend to shop there to “stock up” rather than “pick up a few things for dinner.”...
Many people dream of getting a salary without actually working. But for one French woman, this setup was a nightmare. She is now suing the telecom company Orange (formerly France Télécom) for discrimination after they paid her for 20 years without assigning any tasks. According to Laurence Van Wassenhove, her mental health has suffered immensely...
Blue whales are the largest animals on the planet. They are powerful swimmers that migrate long distances to feed and breed, and live in every ocean except the Arctic. On average, they live around 80 to 90 years. They are also one of the loudest animals on Earth. They can communicate through groans, moans, and...
Homelessness affects people all around the world. In the United States, about 567,715 people were left without a home “on any given night” in 2019. To make matters worse, 37% of these people sleep outside with no shelter. [1] While homelessness is a growing issue with no clear solution, there are ways to immediately help individuals residing in...
Joan MacDonald was 70 when she began her health transformation. She occasionally played darts, softball, and bowling, but she was far from fit. The 5-foot-3 woman took medication to control her blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and acid reflux. She was almost 200 pounds and suffered from arthritis and swollen ankles, which made climbing stairs difficult....
Body language can offer a lot of information during social interactions, but it is far from an exact science. Experts can explain the meaning behind certain behaviors and hand gestures, but context matters. For instance, they say that if you’re standing and talking to someone, look at their feet. If both feet are pointed toward...
In June, a drone flew over Hawaii and dropped biodegradable pods into the forests. Each pod contained about 1,000 mosquitoes. This may sound like something out of a horror sci-fi movie, but this wasn’t some sort of attack on humans. Firstly, the mosquitoes are male, and therefore do not bite people. Second, they were reared...
Animal lovers know the turmoil of watching a nature documentary. There’s the adorable prey trying to hide, and the majestic predator trying to hunt. Both are trying to survive, and you are rooting for both of them to succeed. Yet the conclusion is always emotionally conflicting. Yes, the prey got away but now the predator...
