Science News Explores
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Science News Explores is for readers of any age, from middle school on up. https://linktr.ee/sn.explores See also @sciencenews.bsky.social 🧪
From furious firestorms to gently burning swirls, this recently discovered flame may clean oil spills and more. This week’s word is blue whirl. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-blue-whirl-definition-pronunciation
Scientists Say: Blue whirl
Four types of smaller flames create the perfect firestorm of elegantly efficient combustion.
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November 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
From furious firestorms to gently burning swirls, this recently discovered flame may clean oil spills and more. This week’s word is blue whirl. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-blue-whirl-definition-pronunciation
Don't try this at home. Researchers turned milk into traditional yogurts with help from ants. For science. https://www.snexplores.org/article/ants-bacteria-yogurt-ingredient
Ants are the secret ingredient to this tasty yogurt
The traditional yogurt-making technique was once popular in parts of Europe and Asia. But don’t try this at home!
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November 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Don't try this at home. Researchers turned milk into traditional yogurts with help from ants. For science. https://www.snexplores.org/article/ants-bacteria-yogurt-ingredient
A tiny elephant establishes a new stomping ground for 3-D printing: inside living cells. https://www.snexplores.org/article/3-d-printing-inside-living-cells
Scientists shrink 3-D printing so it can work inside cells
For the first time, scientists have 3-D printed objects within living cells. They included a mini elephant and tiny barcodes that could help track individual
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November 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A tiny elephant establishes a new stomping ground for 3-D printing: inside living cells. https://www.snexplores.org/article/3-d-printing-inside-living-cells
Cosmic forecast: Cloudy with a chance of galactic fountains! https://www.snexplores.org/article/high-velocity-clouds-milky-way-galaxy
Fast, mysterious clouds swarm around our galaxy
Astronomers want to know the source — and importance — of these faint, fast-moving clouds that zoom beyond and toward our Milky Way’s disk.
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November 20, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Cosmic forecast: Cloudy with a chance of galactic fountains! https://www.snexplores.org/article/high-velocity-clouds-milky-way-galaxy
To “hear,” this microphone uses light. That means it works even through soundproof glass. https://www.snexplores.org/article/visual-microphone-sees-sounds
This microphone picks up sounds by watching them
This microphone can “hear” by viewing the tiny vibrations made in everyday objects as sound waves strike them.
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November 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
To “hear,” this microphone uses light. That means it works even through soundproof glass. https://www.snexplores.org/article/visual-microphone-sees-sounds
Strong memories capture weak memories that we’d otherwise forget. https://www.snexplores.org/article/emotion-memory-help-remember-moments
Big moments can help you remember little things, too
Emotional events help solidify memories. Scientists think this could someday help students study to remember better or aid the recovery of trauma survivors.
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November 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Strong memories capture weak memories that we’d otherwise forget. https://www.snexplores.org/article/emotion-memory-help-remember-moments
Kleptotrichy: When plucky little birds raid a mammal’s backside for fur to line their nests. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-kleptotrichy-definition-pronunciation
November 17, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Kleptotrichy: When plucky little birds raid a mammal’s backside for fur to line their nests. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-kleptotrichy-definition-pronunciation
Can dogs sort toys based on how they play with them? Yes, researchers say, some do. https://www.snexplores.org/article/gifted-dogs-learn-sort-fetch-toys
Some gifted dogs can learn to sort their toys
Among dogs known to be gifted word learners, some can also sort toys by how they are used during play time. It’s one sign of a complex thought process.
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November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Can dogs sort toys based on how they play with them? Yes, researchers say, some do. https://www.snexplores.org/article/gifted-dogs-learn-sort-fetch-toys
Researchers turned to a citizen science project to better understand how light pollution affects singing time in birds. https://www.snexplores.org/article/birds-singing-longer-light-pollution
Birds are singing longer, thanks to light pollution
In light-polluted areas, birds spend an average of 50 minutes more per day singing. It’s unclear how that extra time might hurt or help the birds.
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November 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Researchers turned to a citizen science project to better understand how light pollution affects singing time in birds. https://www.snexplores.org/article/birds-singing-longer-light-pollution
ChatGPT “is designed less to help you than it is to keep you engaged,” says Amanda Guinzburg. Read about her eerie experience with the bot, and how to avoid common AI pitfalls. https://www.snexplores.org/article/5-things-talking-with-chatbot
5 things to remember when talking to a chatbot
When using ChatGPT or other chatbots, remember your voice matters and watch out for flattery and hallucinations. And for important advice, ask real people.
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November 13, 2025 at 9:01 PM
ChatGPT “is designed less to help you than it is to keep you engaged,” says Amanda Guinzburg. Read about her eerie experience with the bot, and how to avoid common AI pitfalls. https://www.snexplores.org/article/5-things-talking-with-chatbot
Are plants intelligent? averyhurt.bsky.social explores this question in a Science News Explores story that won a Gold Award in the 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards. https://www.snexplores.org/article/plants-intelligent-communicate-learn
Are plants intelligent? It seems to depend on how you define it
Plants can do a lot of the same things animals do: communicate, learn — even remember. Now scientists want to know if that means they’re intelligent.
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November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Are plants intelligent? averyhurt.bsky.social explores this question in a Science News Explores story that won a Gold Award in the 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards. https://www.snexplores.org/article/plants-intelligent-communicate-learn
A simple shape-up anchors these pimple patches in place. And the change might launch new lines of shot-free options for injectable drugs. https://www.snexplores.org/article/a-little-shape-up-helps-these-pimple-patches-get-a-grip
A little shape-up helps these pimple patches get a grip
These zit patches use some innovative geometry to anchor onto skin. This solves one problem that’s hindered other uses of microneedles for drug delivery.
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November 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
A simple shape-up anchors these pimple patches in place. And the change might launch new lines of shot-free options for injectable drugs. https://www.snexplores.org/article/a-little-shape-up-helps-these-pimple-patches-get-a-grip
People use glue guns to fix lots of things. Now researchers have modified one to help fix broken bones. https://www.snexplores.org/article/glue-gun-heal-broken-bones
A modified glue gun squirts a material to help heal broken bones
The handheld printer might someday apply bone-repair patches directly onto fractures — complete with antibiotics to prevent infection.
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November 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
People use glue guns to fix lots of things. Now researchers have modified one to help fix broken bones. https://www.snexplores.org/article/glue-gun-heal-broken-bones
When a perigee and full moon collide, this bold, beautiful lunar event can rise. This week’s word is supermoon. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-supermoon-definition-pronunciation
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
When a perigee and full moon collide, this bold, beautiful lunar event can rise. This week’s word is supermoon. https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-supermoon-definition-pronunciation
Colors spark similar brain responses across people. https://www.snexplores.org/article/brain-activity-see-color-red
To our brains, your red is my red
A given color, such as red or yellow, may spark similar brain activity across individuals, new research suggests. This could settle a long-standing debate.
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November 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Colors spark similar brain responses across people. https://www.snexplores.org/article/brain-activity-see-color-red
Like bells, black holes should ring with a fundamental pitch and other “overtone” frequencies. Scientists have for the first time clearly detected both pitch types coming from a black hole. https://www.snexplores.org/article/black-hole-ringing-gravitational-waves
Scientists caught a black hole ringing like a bell
Two black holes merged, creating a new, bigger one. This event triggered the clearest ripples in spacetime ever observed.
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November 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Like bells, black holes should ring with a fundamental pitch and other “overtone” frequencies. Scientists have for the first time clearly detected both pitch types coming from a black hole. https://www.snexplores.org/article/black-hole-ringing-gravitational-waves
Experiments conducted over multiple generations of scientists unveil secrets no single researcher could discover alone. https://www.snexplores.org/article/long-term-experiments-outlive-scientists
These ultra-long experiments outlive their scientists — on purpose
To study phenomena that unfold over decades or even centuries, scientists may launch long-running projects they may never see finished.
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November 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Experiments conducted over multiple generations of scientists unveil secrets no single researcher could discover alone. https://www.snexplores.org/article/long-term-experiments-outlive-scientists
These materials could filter PFAS out of drinking water, get scrubbed clean and then reused. https://www.snexplores.org/article/mof-filter-pfas-forever-chemicals-water
New materials yank PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ from water
Materials known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, trap some PFAS fast — and can be reused again and again.
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November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
These materials could filter PFAS out of drinking water, get scrubbed clean and then reused. https://www.snexplores.org/article/mof-filter-pfas-forever-chemicals-water
By simply getting rid of our poop and pee, we may be flushing money away — literally. https://www.snexplores.org/article/lets-learn-about-surprising-uses-for-human-waste
Let’s learn about surprising uses for human waste
Around the world, scientists are investigating ways to turn poop and pee into fertilizer, fuel and construction materials.
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November 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
By simply getting rid of our poop and pee, we may be flushing money away — literally. https://www.snexplores.org/article/lets-learn-about-surprising-uses-for-human-waste
From goat bleats to fungal chemical signals, this linguist draws from many sources of inspiration to make new languages. https://www.snexplores.org/article/linguist-invented-contructed-languages
This linguist has invented over 20 languages
Margaret Ransdell-Green draws on her expertise in linguistics and music to create new, fictional languages — and sings in them, too.
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November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
From goat bleats to fungal chemical signals, this linguist draws from many sources of inspiration to make new languages. https://www.snexplores.org/article/linguist-invented-contructed-languages
Southeast Asians mummified their ancestors long before the Egyptians. https://www.snexplores.org/article/oldest-mummies-smoke-dried-asia
Smoke-dried mummies found in Southeast Asia are the oldest known
The corpses had been slow-dried over fires 12,000 years ago — millennia before Egyptians began mummifying their dead.
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October 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Southeast Asians mummified their ancestors long before the Egyptians. https://www.snexplores.org/article/oldest-mummies-smoke-dried-asia
🕷️🧟🍬 Happy Halloween! 🎃🌕🐺
Come visit our homepage (https://www.snexplores.org/) for our annual spooky science story takeover. We'll be back to normal on Monday. #SpookyScience #Spooktober #SpookySeason #Halloween
Come visit our homepage (https://www.snexplores.org/) for our annual spooky science story takeover. We'll be back to normal on Monday. #SpookyScience #Spooktober #SpookySeason #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
🕷️🧟🍬 Happy Halloween! 🎃🌕🐺
Come visit our homepage (https://www.snexplores.org/) for our annual spooky science story takeover. We'll be back to normal on Monday. #SpookyScience #Spooktober #SpookySeason #Halloween
Come visit our homepage (https://www.snexplores.org/) for our annual spooky science story takeover. We'll be back to normal on Monday. #SpookyScience #Spooktober #SpookySeason #Halloween
Migrating en masse in the dark of night protects songbirds from most predators — but not bats. https://www.snexplores.org/article/bats-midflight-bird-feast
Analyze This: Some bats feast on songbirds midflight
Sensor data reveal greater noctule bats chasing, catching and chewing on birds during nighttime hunts.
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October 29, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Migrating en masse in the dark of night protects songbirds from most predators — but not bats. https://www.snexplores.org/article/bats-midflight-bird-feast
Yeast and bacteria give fine chocolate notes of fruit, flowers, citrus, berry and caramel. https://www.snexplores.org/article/chocolate-flavor-bacteria-yeast #NationalChocolateDay
Thank microbes for chocolate’s tasty flavors
Cocoa beans matter, but yeast and bacteria may be the real secret to fine chocolate flavor.
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October 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Yeast and bacteria give fine chocolate notes of fruit, flowers, citrus, berry and caramel. https://www.snexplores.org/article/chocolate-flavor-bacteria-yeast #NationalChocolateDay
What started as a fun side project turned into a surprising discovery. https://www.snexplores.org/article/grooved-surface-ice-sliding
Spooky! Grooved surface sends ice sailing — no outside push needed
Boulders that have mysteriously moved across Death Valley’s landscape inspired the work. The new surface can slingshot ice in a chosen direction.
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October 27, 2025 at 8:57 PM
What started as a fun side project turned into a surprising discovery. https://www.snexplores.org/article/grooved-surface-ice-sliding