Magpie News Collector

animal

A twisted protein sheds light on chronic wasting disease in deer

By Science News | Erin Garcia de Jesús | 11/12/2024 9:00 AM

The detailed structure of a misfolded protein from a diseased deer could help explain why the disease hasn’t made the leap to humans. ... Read full Story

animal

Bees flying near cars are dying by the millions, a roadkill study suggests

By Science News | Amanda Heidt | 11/7/2024 1:00 PM

Scientists in Utah put sticky traps on car bumpers to tally how many bees get hit on a typical trip. The broader toll is immense, they estimate. ... Read full Story

animal

Putting vampire bats on treadmills reveals an unusual metabolism

By Science News | Susan Milius | 11/5/2024 7:01 PM

A bat gym shows that vampires are more like some insects, burning amino acids from blood proteins rather than the carbs or fats other mammals rely on. ... Read full Story

animal

Why finding bird flu in a U.S. pig for the first time is raising new worries

By Science News | Erin Garcia de Jesús | 11/1/2024 3:41 PM

Swine can act as so-called “mixing vessels” for human and bird flus, giving avian viruses an opportunity to adapt for spreading in people. ... Read full Story

animal

A single enzyme can alter the vibrant colors in parrot plumage

By Science News | Erin Garcia de Jesús | 10/31/2024 2:00 PM

Tweaking the chemical composition of a parrot-specific pigment can shift feathers from red to yellow or green. ... Read full Story

animal

This marine biologist discovered a unique blue whale population in Sri Lanka

By Science News | Sandy Ong | 10/31/2024 9:00 AM

In addition to studying the world’s only nonmigratory blue whales, marine biologist Asha de Vos seeks to change her compatriots’ attitudes toward the ocean. ... Read full Story

animal

These hornets may be the alcohol-detox champs of the animal world

By Science News | Susan Milius | 10/30/2024 8:00 AM

Vespa orientalis fed an 80-percent-ethanol brew still did hornet tasks and had normal life spans. This trick may be an adaptation to gut-dwelling yeast. ... Read full Story

animal

Giant rats could soon help sniff out illegally smuggled goods

By Science News | Sophie Hartley | 10/30/2024 1:00 AM

African giant pouched rats can detect landmines and diseases. Now some have been trained to sense elephant ivory, pangolin scales and more. ... Read full Story

animal

A common kitchen tool could help koala conservation

By Science News | Kristel Tjandra | 10/28/2024 9:00 AM

A simple device sucks koala DNA out of the air, making it easier for conservationists to detect the elusive marsupials. ... Read full Story

animal

Male mosquitoes sometimes suck, too

By Science News | Tina Hesman Saey | 10/25/2024 11:00 AM

Blood isn’t actually toxic to all male mosquitos. In at least one virus-carrying species, it may even help them live longer. ... Read full Story

animal

The U.S. empire was built on bird dung

By Science News | Sujata Gupta | 10/25/2024 9:00 AM

A mid-1850s act let the United States seize islands rich in bird guano. Those strategic outposts fueled the U.S. rise to power, a researcher says. ... Read full Story

animal

The ‘Mekong ghost’ megafish has resurfaced after an extinction scare

By Science News | Stefan Lovgren | 10/24/2024 1:00 PM

Rediscovery of giant salmon carp in Cambodia sparks hope for the rare fish’s survival and efforts to conserve one of the greatest diversity hot spots. ... Read full Story

animal

How insects can help catch rhino poachers

By Science News | Jude Coleman | 10/24/2024 11:00 AM

A new study looks at which insects can be used as biological clocks to determine when a rhino was killed. ... Read full Story

animal

Polar bears are being exposed to more pathogens as the climate warms

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 10/23/2024 2:00 PM

Polar bears have been exposed to more viruses, bacteria and parasites in recent decades, a new study shows, possibly acquiring the germs in their diet. ... Read full Story

animal

Science has finally cracked male riflebirds’ flirty secrets

By Science News | Susan Milius | 10/21/2024 11:00 AM

New video upsets the old notion that these birds of paradise use wing clapping to make percussive sounds while courting. ... Read full Story

animal

At-home experiments shed light on cats’ liquid behavior

By Science News | Andrea Tamayo | 10/15/2024 9:00 AM

Cats can flow like liquids through tall crevices, but they solidify a bit as they approach short crannies, new research shows. ... Read full Story

animal

DNA from old hair helps confirm the macabre diet of two 19th century lions

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 10/11/2024 11:00 AM

Genetic analysis of cavity crud from two famed man-eating lions suggests the method could re-create diets of predators that lived thousands of years ago. ... Read full Story

animal

The largest arthropod to ever live finally has a head

By Science News | Jason Bittel | 10/9/2024 2:00 PM

Fossils of an extinct giant millipede reveal new details about the arthropod’s anatomy. ... Read full Story

animal

To tell a right-trunked elephant from a lefty, check the wrinkles

By Science News | Susan Milius | 10/8/2024 7:01 PM

Elephant trunks, more sci-fi face-tentacle than ho-hum mammal nose, are getting new scrutiny as researchers explore how the wrinkles grow. ... Read full Story

animal

These sea creatures can fuse their bodies

By Science News | Jude Coleman | 10/7/2024 11:00 AM

A species of comb jelly can fuse its body with another jelly after injury. Some of the pair’s body functions then synchronize. ... Read full Story

auto

SPIED: Why Is BMW Testing A Non-Hybrid M5 On The Nürburgring?

by carbuzz.com | Apr 01 2025

entertainment

Star Sightings: Doechii Performs in a Denim Outfit in Florida, Edgar Ramirez Gets Pampered Before the Oscars

by ET Online | Mar 31 2025

fashion

Lauren Sanchez’s $5.7K Balenciaga coffee-cup clutch blasted by budget fashionistas: ‘Too much money and zero taste’

by NY Post | Apr 01 2025

game

How To Get Atomic Batteries In Atomfall

by GameSpot | Apr 01 2025

long_island

Drucker, Mulé and Koslow Join AJC-LI for Municipal Leaders Against Antisemitism Task Force Meeting

by Nassau County | Apr 01 2025

music

Liza Minnelli Is Headed to the ‘Drag Race’ Season 17 Finale

by Billboard | Apr 01 2025

nation

Attorney General Pam Bondi orders Justice Department to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione

by upi.com | Apr 01 2025

nutrition

I Ate Pineapple Every Day—Here’s What Happened

by thehealthy.com | Mar 31 2025

odd_fun

April Fools' 2025: 'Silent' Crunch bar, ranch-flavored Olipop

by United Press International, Inc. | Apr 01 2025

real_estate

Here’s who rented the tallest — and priciest — home in Queens: ‘Everyone wanted this apartment!’

by NY Post | Apr 01 2025

retirement

Retirement plannomg: the differences between a traditional and Roth IRA

by Fox News | Mar 30 2025

shopping

This Tiny Travel Gadget Has a Standout Feature for the Apple Watch

by Gear Patrol | Apr 01 2025

technology

Intel: ‘Panther Lake’ will be our hybrid hero for the PC

by PCWorld | Apr 01 2025

travel

A travel guide to Teshikaga, Japan

by Wanderlust | Apr 01 2025

world

Gold prices could keep climbing as Trump’s trade policies rock markets

by Global News | Apr 01 2025

Word of the Day

cynosure

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 1, 2025 is:

cynosure • \SYE-nuh-shur\ • noun

A cynosure is a person or thing that attracts a lot of attention or interest. As a proper noun, Cynosure may refer to the North Star or its constellation Ursa Minor.

// He was the cynosure of all eyes as he walked into the room.

See the entry >

Examples:

"Look at any picture of Kashmir and you'll understand why it is called heaven on earth. And Srinagar, framed by the majestic Zabarwan Mountains, is the cynosure of all travel itineraries, offering a mix of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and spirituality." — Mallika Bhagat, Times Now (Mumbai, India), 17 Dec. 2024

Did you know?

Ancient mariners noted that all the stars in the heavens seemed to revolve around a particular star, and they relied on that star to guide their navigation. The constellation that this bright star appears in is known to English speakers today as Ursa Minor, or the Little Dipper, but the Ancient Greeks called it Kynósoura, a term that comes from a phrase meaning "dog's tail." Kynósoura passed into Latin and Middle French, becoming cynosure. When English speakers adopted the term in the 16th century, they used it as a name for both the constellation and the star (which is also known as the North Star or Polaris) and also to identify a guide of any kind. By the 17th century, cynosure was also being used figuratively for anything or anyone that, like the North Star, is the focus of attention or observation.

A twisted protein sheds light on chronic wasting disease in deer

Bees flying near cars are dying by the millions, a roadkill study suggests

Putting vampire bats on treadmills reveals an unusual metabolism

Why finding bird flu in a U.S. pig for the first time is raising new worries

A single enzyme can alter the vibrant colors in parrot plumage

This marine biologist discovered a unique blue whale population in Sri Lanka

These hornets may be the alcohol-detox champs of the animal world

Giant rats could soon help sniff out illegally smuggled goods

A common kitchen tool could help koala conservation

Male mosquitoes sometimes suck, too

The U.S. empire was built on bird dung

The ‘Mekong ghost’ megafish has resurfaced after an extinction scare

How insects can help catch rhino poachers

Polar bears are being exposed to more pathogens as the climate warms

Science has finally cracked male riflebirds’ flirty secrets

At-home experiments shed light on cats’ liquid behavior

DNA from old hair helps confirm the macabre diet of two 19th century lions

The largest arthropod to ever live finally has a head

To tell a right-trunked elephant from a lefty, check the wrinkles

These sea creatures can fuse their bodies

SPIED: Why Is BMW Testing A Non-Hybrid M5 On The Nürburgring?

Star Sightings: Doechii Performs in a Denim Outfit in Florida, Edgar Ramirez Gets Pampered Before the Oscars

Lauren Sanchez’s $5.7K Balenciaga coffee-cup clutch blasted by budget fashionistas: ‘Too much money and zero taste’

How To Get Atomic Batteries In Atomfall

Drucker, Mulé and Koslow Join AJC-LI for Municipal Leaders Against Antisemitism Task Force Meeting

Liza Minnelli Is Headed to the ‘Drag Race’ Season 17 Finale

Attorney General Pam Bondi orders Justice Department to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione

I Ate Pineapple Every Day—Here’s What Happened

April Fools' 2025: 'Silent' Crunch bar, ranch-flavored Olipop

Here’s who rented the tallest — and priciest — home in Queens: ‘Everyone wanted this apartment!’

Retirement plannomg: the differences between a traditional and Roth IRA

This Tiny Travel Gadget Has a Standout Feature for the Apple Watch

Intel: ‘Panther Lake’ will be our hybrid hero for the PC

A travel guide to Teshikaga, Japan

Gold prices could keep climbing as Trump’s trade policies rock markets

Word of the Day

10 Odd & Fun

1.April Fools' 2025: 'Silent' Crunch bar, ranch-flavored Olipop

2.Small dog plucked out of 'ruff waters' of New York's East River

3.Gas station trip earns Florida woman $5M lottery jackpot

4.Watch: Chopstick 'ninja' skills earn Idaho man a Guinness World Record

5.North Carolina family reunited with missing dog after 3 years

6.Watch: Freshwater crocodile found far from home in Australia

7.Watch: California woman uses world's longest tongue to play Jenga

8.Watch: Snake handler rescues pet bird from hungry python

9.S.C. man makes lottery run for his wife, wins $200,000

10.Watch: Egyptian diver breaks world record for underwater pull-ups in Red Sea