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Algae bloom in Lake Erie, September 2017
Climate Change

A lake full of algae will wreck more than your summer swimming plans

Algae blooms in lakes and oceans generate pollution that harms people, pets, and the planet.

Want to take a Mensa intelligence test? Here are four practice questions
Science

Want to take a Mensa intelligence test? Here are four practice questions

The society is open only to people who score in the 98th percentile or higher on a preapproved intelligence test.

Can you pass the U.S. Army’s World War I-era intelligence test?
Army

Can you pass the U.S. Army’s World War I-era intelligence test?

Literate recruits took the written Alpha test, while illiterate applicants took a visual Beta.

It’s not just Syria—chemical weapons still pose a global threat
Weapons

It’s not just Syria—chemical weapons still pose a global threat

What you need to know about chemical weapons.

Homeopathic and natural remedies aren’t the same thing—and only one of them is total nonsense
Medicine

Homeopathic and natural remedies aren’t the same thing—and only one of them is total nonsense

Therapies from nature sometimes work, but diluted dog rabies does not.

How to become a space tourist: 8 companies (almost) ready to launch
Private Space Flight

How to become a space tourist: 8 companies (almost) ready to launch

How much are you willing to pay to become an astronaut?

11 easy ways you can help save the planet this Earth Day
Climate Change

11 easy ways you can help save the planet this Earth Day

Little changes can make a big difference

Anyone can compost their food waste (and everyone should)
Climate Change

Anyone can compost their food waste (and everyone should)

And it doesn’t have to smell.

China is building drone planes for its aircraft carriers
Military

China is building drone planes for its aircraft carriers

They’re robotics wingmen for China’s carrier pilots.

Rising temperatures are opening new territories for venomous creatures—including your backyard
Spiders

Rising temperatures are opening new territories for venomous creatures—including your backyard

Welcome to the neighborhood, fire ants! Sure is hot out today!

spatial visualization
NASA

Can you pass the test NASA gave potential astronauts in 1958?

May John Glenn be with you.

punch
Life Skills

How to throw a punch

Without hurting yourself more than your opponent.

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower coincides with Earth Day, but light pollution is ruining the show
Environment

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower coincides with Earth Day, but light pollution is ruining the show

Light pollution makes it hard for many people to appreciate the stars.

Octopuses on the outcrop
Animals

These octopuses just wanted a safe place to lay their eggs, but now they’re doomed

Warmer isn't always better.

a doctor shines a light in a patient's eyes
Health

A new study on concussions and Parkinson’s provides one more reason to protect your noggin

Even a minor brain injury might raise your risk.

There’s still time for us to save the Great Barrier Reef
Ocean

There’s still time for us to save the Great Barrier Reef

Just how much trouble is coral in? The answer is complicated.

Saving pollinators is about more than just honeybees
Bees

Saving pollinators is about more than just honeybees

Wild insects are the most important and vulnerable pollinators.

Watch SpaceX launch NASA’s new planet-hunting satellite
Science

Watch SpaceX launch NASA’s new planet-hunting satellite

TESS is blasting off on Wednesday night.

Neolithic surgeons might have practiced their skull-drilling techniques on cows
Archaeology

Neolithic surgeons might have practiced their skull-drilling techniques on cows

Trepanation may not have been limited to humans.

We’re so close with dogs, even our poop looks similar
Nutrition

We’re so close with dogs, even our poop looks similar

A new study finds that human and dog microbiomes have more in common than you might expect.