Grand Jury Indicts Russian Scientist on Smuggling Charges

Turns out, city life isn’t just reshaping Chicago’s skyline—it’s literally reshaping the skulls of its rodents. Researchers used museum collections to compare urban and rural rodent skulls over time, finding that city-dwelling mice and rats have evolved differently, likely due to the unique pressures of urban environments. As one scientist put it, museum collections are like "time travel" for studying these changes.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky science fact—it’s a snapshot of how human activity directly influences evolution, even in species we barely notice. If rodents are adapting this visibly to cities, it makes you wonder what other subtle changes are happening right under our noses. Plus, it’s a cool reminder that old museum specimens aren’t just relics; they’re time capsules helping us decode the future.

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient Indigenous funeral urns on human-made islands deep in the Amazon rainforest. These massive ceramic pots, some centuries or even millennia old, contained human bones, while others held a mix of seeds and animal remains—like fish, frogs, and turtles—suggesting complex burial rituals or offerings.

Editor’s Note: This discovery sheds new light on the spiritual and cultural practices of pre-Columbian Amazonian societies. It’s a reminder that the rainforest, often seen as untouched wilderness, was actually shaped by human activity long before modern times. These findings could help rewrite our understanding of how Indigenous communities lived, mourned, and interacted with their environment.

Turns out, there's more to tying your shoes than just making a bow—different activities call for different knots to keep your feet secure and comfortable. This article breaks down the best techniques for everything from running to hiking, because a poorly tied shoe can wreck your workout (or your day).

Editor’s Note: Most of us learned to tie our shoes as kids and never thought about it again. But if you’ve ever had a lace come undone mid-run or felt your foot sliding around in a hiking boot, you know the struggle. This piece is a low-key game-changer for anyone who’s active—small tweaks that make a big difference.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, is doubling down on his criticism of global health organizations. In his latest remarks, he’s accusing Gavi, the international vaccine alliance, of disregarding scientific evidence in its push for widespread immunization programs. Kennedy, who has long been a controversial figure in public health debates, claims the organization is prioritizing agendas over transparent research—a charge Gavi and mainstream scientists strongly reject.

Editor’s Note: Kennedy’s accusations feed into a larger, polarizing debate about trust in vaccines and global health institutions. While his claims resonate with some anti-vaccine groups, they clash with the consensus of most medical experts. This story matters because it highlights the ongoing tension between dissenting voices and established science—a divide that can influence public perception and policy during critical health crises.

Beneath Ethiopia’s rugged landscapes, scientists have discovered something extraordinary—a throbbing, heartbeat-like surge of molten rock deep in the Earth’s mantle. This rhythmic pulsing isn’t just a geological curiosity; it’s actively tearing the African continent apart, inch by inch, and could eventually carve out a brand-new ocean.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about rocks moving underground—it’s a live demonstration of how our planet reshapes itself over millions of years. While the idea of Africa splitting sounds apocalyptic, the process is incredibly slow (think millimeters per year). Still, it’s a rare chance to study how oceans are born, offering clues about Earth’s past—and its future. For locals, though, it’s a reminder that the ground beneath their feet isn’t as stable as it seems.