CozyFactFriendly facts for everyone

Science

A close-up view of a mantis shrimp peeking out from its burrow, highlighting its prominent compound eyes.
Science

Mantis Shrimp Eyes Contain Pigments That Switch Back and Forth Like Light Switches

Scientists found that some of the animal's vision pigments see red light that few animals can detect.

A close-up of a vinyl record spinning on a turntable, representing music and songs.
Science

A Study of 38,467 Songs Finds Lyrics Have Become Less Emotional

Michigan State University researchers looked at songs from 230 artists between 1947 and 2024.

An underwater view of the ocean surface with sunlight filtering through the water.
Science

A New Undersea Cable Called Petal Will Carry Huge Amounts of Internet Data

The 4,300-mile cable between the U.S. and France is planned to start working in 2029.

A majestic, snow-capped mountain peak illuminated by the golden light of sunrise against a dark blue sky.
Science

Was There Ever a Mountain Taller Than Mount Everest?

Geologists say nobody knows for sure, but ancient mountain ranges may have been huge.

A panoramic view of a town nestled in a valley beneath dramatic, dark, storm-like clouds over mountains.
Science

Why the UK Has Not Had a Named Storm This Autumn

Calm, dry weather has kept big storms away so far, but forecasters say wetter and windier days may be coming.

A close-up of a snail on green grass, highlighting the spiral pattern of its shell.
Science

Scientists Find the Gene That Decides Which Way a Snail's Shell Coils

Researchers studying snails in Japan found that tiny changes in one gene create mirror-image shells.

Portrait of astronaut Jessica Meir in a yellow flight suit holding a helmet, with US and NASA flags in the background
Science

A Space Station Commander Says Seeing Earth From Orbit "Changes You"

Jessica Meir of the Crew-12 mission says the thin layer of atmosphere shows why our planet needs protecting.

A snow-covered mountain peak in Alaska, representing the landscape where the ancient camp was discovered.
Science

Archaeologists Find a 13,800-Year-Old Camp in Alaska, the Oldest Dwelling in the Americas

The site may even hold the bones of some of the earliest domesticated dogs in the Americas.

A meteor streaks across the night sky against the backdrop of the Orion constellation, with lines overlaid connecting the stars.
Science

How to Watch the Orionid Meteor Shower This Week

The shower peaks around October 21-22, and Space.com says the best time is between 2 a.m. and dawn.

An artistic representation of a planet floating in a vibrant, colorful nebula in deep space.
Science

Scientists Find "Gemstones" in the Atmosphere of a Marshmallow-Like Planet

The James Webb Space Telescope helped map WASP-17b, a hot planet about 1,300 light-years away.

Four people standing in front of a large NASA rocket inside a hangar.
Science

Meet the NASA Manager Helping to Get Moon Rockets Ready

Allison Mjoen has worked at Kennedy Space Center for 20 years, from the Space Shuttle to the Artemis missions.

A stylized illustration of a human head profile with a brain outline, connected by a spark of light to a human hand, set against a blue abstract background.
Science

How Stress Helps the Brain Hold On to Emotional Memories

Yale scientists studied the stress hormone cortisol and how it changes brain networks that handle feelings and memory.

A view of the Andromeda galaxy in deep space
Science

Astronomers Find a Shared Rule for When Black Holes Launch Jets

Black holes that differ in size by millions of times seem to start their jets at the same stage of feeding.

A close-up of several empty clear plastic water bottles, representing plastic waste.
Science

Scientists Find a "Pac-Man" Enzyme That Helps Bacteria Eat Plastic

Researchers say some biodegradable plastics fully broke down in soil within about a year.

A vibrant, detailed view of the Milky Way galaxy stretching across a dark night sky filled with countless stars.
Science

Exmoor's Dark Skies Festival Celebrates Ten Years of Stargazing

About 80 events across the English national park invite visitors to look up at the stars.

Satellite view of Hurricane Simon showing the eye and surrounding cloud formations
Science

NASA Satellites Spot Giant Ripples in the Sky Above Hurricane Simon

The rare waves formed high in the atmosphere as the storm passed Mexico's Pacific coast.

The visitor center buildings at Castle Espie Wetland Centre
Science

Captive Birds to Move From Castle Espie Under Wildfowl Trust Changes

Bird-keeping at a County Down wetland site is being scaled back, with its birds moving to other sites across the UK from November.

A high-resolution, black and white image of the two-lobed nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko against a dark space background.
Science

NASA Shares a 3D View of Comet 67P's Two-Lobed Nucleus

A special stereo picture from the Rosetta spacecraft shows the odd, double-shaped center of a comet.