The government of the Marshall Islands has protected a huge area of ocean around two remote atolls. The step is designed to protect important marine and bird life, and to help scientists learn more about the area. The government says it's their first marine protected area (MPA), but it won't be their last.
Published in “Science”
As humans, we can think about what other people are thinking, and understand that their ideas might be different from ours. Scientists call this "theory of mind". An important question is whether animals can do the same. A recent experiment suggests that bonobo apes may share this ability.
Three young scientists have captured the first photos of a Mount Lyell shrew. The tiny animal is the only mammal in California that hadn't been photographed alive - until now. The scientists hope their images will help raise awareness about the little-known species.
On Tuesday, an American company called Boom Supersonic made history when its test jet broke the sound barrier. It's the first privately built supersonic jet to go faster than the speed of sound.
President Donald Trump took action Monday to keep TikTok running in the US. By law, the app was banned, starting Sunday, and TikTok went offline temporarily. Now Mr. Trump says he's given the company 75 days to find a new owner. It's not clear that Mr. Trump has the power to change the law.
Scientists have discovered that a male humpback whale traveled over 8,100 miles (13,000 kilometers) across three oceans. The journey is the longest known trip for a humpback whale. It's likely that the whale made the trip in search of a mate.
The Los Angeles area is battling major wildfires that have destroyed thousands of buildings, forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, and led to at least 24 deaths. The situation could get worse this week, as strong winds return to the area.
The world's oldest known wild bird is an albatross named Wisdom. She's around 74 years old, and has recently returned to her nesting place in the Midway Atoll. Wisdom may be old, but she's still active. She has just laid her first egg in four years.
Scientists in California have created a new material that can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. The fluffy yellow powder works faster than other materials and can be used over and over again. The new material could play an important part in the fight against climate change.
Australia has passed a law that aims to prevent people younger than 16 from using social media. The law is meant to protect young people, but some people say it could create more problems than it solves. Australia will begin testing ways to carry out the new law in January.
Scientists in Tanzania have trained rats to help detect illegal wildlife products being smuggled out of the country. The rats have learned to recognize the smell of these items, and can alert their handlers when they find them. The program is still being tested, but the method could help protect some endangered animals.