Author: Jon Scaccia

What Your Tongue Knows That You Don’t

Stick out your tongue. No, seriously—take a quick look in the mirror. That oddly shaped, wiggly muscle does more than help you taste pizza or say tricky words like “phenomenon.”… Read More

Wait, What?! Elephants Should Be Riddled with Cancer—But They’re Not

Let’s play a game of logic: If cancer is caused by cells making mistakes when they divide, then bigger animals—who have more cells—should get more cancer, right? A whale has… Read More

A Mosquito’s Sweet Tooth Might Just Save Lives

Did you know mosquitoes have a sweet side? Sure, they’re infamous for their blood-sucking antics, but most of their meals actually come from plants. In fact, male mosquitoes feed exclusively… Read More

Wait, What?! More People Had Access to Clean Water in 2000 Than in 2020?

If you thought the world was making steady progress toward universal access to clean water and sanitation, think again! While the raw numbers might tell a tale of improvement, a… Read More

When Rocks Rewrite History: The Altyn Orogen Mystery

Hold on to your hiking boots—scientists just found evidence that could rewrite the geological history of the Tibetan Plateau! The Altyn Orogen, a mountain range stretching over 400 kilometers, was… Read More

Next week in Science, February 28, 2025

If I had my druthers, I would have written a nice piece on the science of leap day. That would have been fun. As it turns out, most of our… Read More

Bird Brains? Think Again! Emus and Rheas Just Flexed Their Intelligence

What if I told you that emus and rheas—those big, often goofy-looking birds—just outsmarted a science experiment designed to test their problem-solving skills? It sounds wild, but it’s true. While… Read More

The Shocking Truth About Cannibal Lizards

Did you know that some lizards in South America are not just hunters but also, well… lizard munchers? Yes, you read that right. These little reptiles have taken the phrase… Read More

The Fish That Forgot Where Home Was

Picture this: You return to your childhood neighborhood, only to find that your old playground is now a parking lot. The trees you climbed? Gone. The pond where you skipped… Read More

How India Brought Tigers Back from the Brink—And What It Means for the Planet

Once upon a time—not in a fairy tale, but in real life—tigers ruled the forests of Asia. They prowled across vast landscapes, a symbol of power and majesty. Fast forward… Read More