Lightning storms quickening Arctic sea ice loss
Although lightning used to be very rare in the Arctic, the warming climate has made them far more common.
"Unlike any other": Prehistoric Illinois' spiny-legged arachnid discovered
The newly discovered creature lived around 308 million years ago and was only around 0.5 inches in length, scientists report.
Was extinct Tasmanian tiger seen on new video? Experts weigh in
The thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, was last seen in captivity in 1936 and declared extinct in the mid-1980s.
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Utah warned of tree-deforming insect infestation
The parasites inject a toxic substance into a tree that wreaks havoc on its cells, causing it to die over a period of three to five years.
Better Planet
"Glowing" plants give flash drought warning, NASA video reveals
A strange uptick in plant fluorescence came at the same time soil moisture began to plummet in the U.S., indicating flash drought.
Parasitic worms "shot-gunning" moose brains in US
Moose in Idaho were found with a parasite in major arteries and their brains, causing severe health effects and even death.
Humans are giving sea creatures the bends
"It is likely that gas embolism pathology could arise in other species," study author Katherine Eltz told Newsweek.
Beached whale's jawbone cut off with chainsaw
Officials discovered the 50-foot sperm whale washed up on Oreti Beach in New Zealand with tire tracks leading up to the dead body.
NOAA reveals how pollen can change the weather
Pollen grains sometimes scatter the sunlight, which can form clouds, affect the temperature and even the amount of rain.
Woman captures nightmarish encounter with spider on camera: "Screaming"
Marie, from Savoie in France, accidentally filmed the scary moment while making a video for friends.
Veterinarian warns of summer pet threat that burrows into the skin
Foxtails may look unassuming but the seed pods can burrow into your pet's skin and sometimes cause breathing problems.
"Worst tornado outbreak" of year so far broke warning records
Over 100 tornadoes across the Midwest and the Great Plains occurred from April 25 to 28, causing "significant damage and loss of life."
Lake Tahoe set to fill for first time in five years
The snowmelt coming down from the mountains this spring will be sufficient to fill the California lake, a new report has predicted.
Extinct tiny deer with big eyes found in national park
The deer was the size of a house cat, and its eye sockets took up 60 percent of its skull.
Rare sighting of great white shark off Alabama coast
It is the first time a great white shark has been documented swimming in this particular area, making it a unique finding.
Elephants use feces to say hello
Elephant urine and feces contain important chemical information "like the identity of the individual," a researcher told Newsweek.
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"Large-scale" changes in ocean circulation may end coral reefs
Scientists discovered that 2023 marked the worst year for coral bleaching in the Northern Hemisphere, with major reefs suffering.
Texas Panhandle wildfires costliest on record
The costs take into account the loss of 12,000 cattle across farmlands and ranches, as well as infrastructure repair across the area.
Squirrel turns "porch pirate" after stealing candy from mail carrier
Every day, Kip likes to leave a Kit Kat in the mailbox as a way of saying "thank you" to their mail carriers—but this time someone else had other ideas.
One of "world's worst" weeds invading US Northeast
The toxic weed can prevent sunlight from entering the water and lead to decreased oxygen levels, killing fish and other species.
Better Planet
"Surprising" surge in US tornadoes explained
The recent increase in tornadoes was caused by the strong El Niño winter, according to a weather expert at the University of Colorado.
Earthquake map shows biggest global tremors in 2024 so far
Newsweek has plotted the biggest earthquakes, of a magnitude 6 or higher, that have occurred around the globe so far this year.
Cicada double invasion to "utterly cover" parts of the US, ecologist says
The insects have already been spotted emerging in North Carolina and are set to swarm Illinois, much of Missouri and Arkansas.
Scientists reveal "major" new factor in bumblebee decline
A study found that bumblebee nests may be getting too hot, and the species are struggling to thermoregulate these temperatures.
Bear eats duck family in front of kids in zoo video: 'train wreck'
Children filmed watching in horror as predator named Juniper hunts ducklings and gobbles up several in front of the young audience.
Hawaii volcano eruption warning after spike in earthquakes
The volcano is not erupting, but a "significant spike" in earthquakes has prompted the closure of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Warning as first American dolphin diagnosed with highly pathogenic bird flu
Scientists fear that bird flu "could be catastrophic" for marine mammals after discovering brain inflammation in the infected dolphin.
Man hears footsteps on roof, catches rarely seen animal on camera
A terrified Victor Flores installed several cameras to try to spot what was on the roof disturbing him at night.
You used to think like a mouse, brain study reveals
Scientists said mice are more purposeful in their actions than previously thought and learn similarly to how human babies do.
'Huge' cocaine levels make sea life high in popular beach bay
The drug has now been classed as an "emerging contaminant of concern" and may have been accumulating in Brazilian waters since the 1930s.