2026-10-22 -- control

#1 · news-in-context Sep 24, 2026

Explore a list of bug bounty programs, which pay ethical hackers for finding vulnerabilities in computing systems.

In 2025, the HackerOne cybersecurity platform reported paying out $81M for the identification and disclosure of vulnerabilities, which companies pay to have found rather than face potentially more costly remediation.

Payouts for identified vulnerabilities vary based on the severity of the bug, with companies hoping to be competitive enough to deter the sale of information on the dark web.

lead Internet Insecurities sibling · sim 0.45 · keep 0.33 · score -4

#2 · explainers Apr 8, 2026

Linux and other open-source software can still be safe and secure because they enable many individuals to actively monitor and review publicly available source code.

While no computer system is immune to all cyberattacks and malware, the transparency of open-source technology means thousands of developers can review and oversee the underlying code powering the software.

Ongoing monitoring increases the likelihood of catching and patching vulnerabilities before smaller groups of cybercriminals can exploit them, a concept known as Linus's law, after the inventor of Linux.
Besides the Linux kernel, widely used open source software includes the Advanced Encryption Standard, WordPress, VLC Media Player, LibreOffice, and MySQL.

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.48 · keep 0.62 · score -1

#3 · explainers Jul 16, 2025

The government has said Title IX does not protect transgender athletes or apply to athlete pay

In early 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from college athletics, suggesting the move was in line with Title IX compliance. A week later, the Department of Education said Title IX does not require equitable distribution of name, image, and likeness payments to athletes. Both instances reverse former President Joe Biden’s interpretations of the law.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld any_band · sim 0.51 · keep 0.07 · score -1

#4 · explainers Nov 21, 2022

Founder of The Ocean Cleanup explains the case for cleaning oceans

Removing trash from the oceans not only saves wildlife, it may save human lives, too. The CEO and founder of The Ocean Cleanup explains how existing plastic pollution harms us and get harder to clean up over time.

itk Chesapeake Bay fishermen recover more than 24,000 abandoned traps, saving tens of thousand own · sim 0.44 · keep 0.45 · score -4

#5 · curiosity Jun 4, 2026

Brandi Chastain, the star of the 1999 US win over China in the 1999 Women's World Cup, was a last-second choice to take the penalty kick that sealed the victory.

Chastain was seen by some on the coaching staff as an unreliable kicker, though head coach Tony DiCicco admired her grace under pressure.

When overtime ended in a tie, Chastain was initially listed as the sixth penalty kicker, but DiCicco moved her to fifth before turning in the list to officials.
The photo of Chastain celebrating her game-winning penalty kick, her jersey in hand, appeared on the July 19, 1999, cover of Sports Illustrated and would eventually be voted the magazine's second-most iconic cover.

itk US women's gymnastics team earns silver at World Championships, ending a winning streak da own · sim 0.43 · keep 0.55 · score -4

#6 · curiosity Jan 7, 2026

Read Norman Rosenthal's original 1984 paper describing SAD

The study helped formalize research and diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder, catalyzing the development of therapies (like bright light) and leading to broader adoption of effective treatments. It also helped connect the influence of light and seasons on biological mechanisms in the human body, spurring exploration of circadian rhythms.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi sibling · sim 0.46 · keep 0.16 · score -9

#7 · experiences Oct 15, 2026

Are you burned out? Take this quiz

Have you ever wondered if what you're experiencing is burnout, or just stress? This Psychology Today quiz may help you decide if you need to explore more mental health resources. You don't have to create an account to take the quiz. Simply answer the questions and provide your ZIP code.

etc Are you cut out for the sloth life? Take the test. sibling · sim 0.48 · keep 0.63 · score -1

#8 · curiosity Oct 1, 2026

View the fluorescently stained internal structures of a tardigrade

The photograph won the Olympus Global Life Science Light Microscopy Americas regional award in 2019. Using chemicals from biofluorescent organisms, the image illuminates internal structures with multiple hues in an otherwise mostly colorless organism.

etc See ordinary objects look extraordinary under a microscope. sibling · sim 0.44 · keep 0.41 · score -4

#9 · curiosity Mar 3, 2026

Some organisms are composed of a single cell visible to the naked eye

By incorporating tough, cellulose-rich cell walls, rapid movement of molecules via cytoplasmic streaming, and other biological techniques, some unicellular organisms can bypass the physical limitations that restrict the size of cells. Organisms such as the Stentor coeruleus and Acetabularia can be seen without microscopes.

etc See ordinary objects look extraordinary under a microscope. own · sim 0.41 · keep 0.86 · score -5

#10 · news-in-context Feb 26, 2026

Courts have blocked the Trump administration's 2025 executive order limiting birthright citizenship

In June 2025, the Supreme Court declined to rule on the constitutionality of the order. Since then, two federal appellate courts have found the order unconstitutional, halting its enforcement nationwide.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld sibling · sim 0.50 · keep 0.05 · score -2

#11 · explainers Jun 10, 2026

In 2018, it took about 2.3 years to develop a way to exploit a software bug for malicious purposes, but as of 2026, AI tools have reduced this time to about 20 hours.

The automation afforded by AI tools, which can analyze and test computer code much faster than humans, has made finding critical bugs much easier, substantially increasing potential cybersecurity threats.

Vulnerabilities can exist in foundational code that has not been revised in decades, such as one in the OpenBSD operating system that had existed for 27 years and was found by Anthropic's Claude Mythos.

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.46 · keep 0.73 · score -2

#12 · explainers Jan 20, 2026

The Supreme Court has greatly expanded executive power in recent years

In Trump v. United States, the court ruled that a former president enjoys absolute immunity for "official acts" in his constitutional core powers. In Trump v. CASA, Inc., the court limited federal courts' ability to block executive enforcement through nationwide injunctions—decisions that shifted power toward the executive branch.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld any_band · sim 0.47 · keep 0.17 · score -3

#13 · explainers Jan 16, 2026

Circadian rhythm disruption can influence various mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Human night-shift studies, jet-lag studies, and animal research have helped scientists link phase shifts to mental health outcomes.

The internal body clocks that govern our organs can have far-reaching effects on our neural chemistry when misaligned, but these effects may differ from person to person.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi sibling · sim 0.54 · keep 0.23 · score -1

#14 · curiosity Jan 8, 2026

An engineer with bipolar disorder tracked his moods for more than a decade and noted connections to seasonal patterns, which helped researchers identify SAD.

Herb Kern believed season shifts were a major factor in the increase and severity of his bipolar symptoms based on mood records that he'd kept dating back to 1967.

Kern reached out to National Institute of Mental Health researchers, and they confirmed links between his increased melatonin levels during winter and dark moods, leading to an understanding of SAD.
Herb Kern was the first to receive bright light therapy as an intervention for SAD, cueing his body to shift melatonin production with lighting similar to an artificial summer.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, widely known as SAD, was later described in a 1984 journal article based on a sample of people studied in Maryland.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi own · sim 0.44 · keep 0.63 · score -15

#15 · curiosity Jan 27, 2026

Scientists seeking to understand how food aversions work traced the literal gut reactions linking gut distress signals to neural replays of what ill mice ate.

Princeton University researchers' 2025 findings analyzed how mice learn to associate certain foods or flavors with illness—even when there’s a time gap between eating something and feeling sick.

The food aversion work was performed with grape Kool-Aid and injections of a substance that made mice sick.

itk Macaque monkeys who live through a deadly disease outbreak appear to avoid potentially con sibling · sim 0.59 · keep 0.46 · score -1

#16 · experiences Jan 21, 2025

Play 17th-century death roulette

Before modern science and medicine, death was much harder to escape. Using real mortality records from London's Dreadful Visitation–a collection of all the Bills of Mortality from 1665–this interactive game gives you an idea of what may have possibly killed you during the Great Plague. Grow your appreciation for life today as you stumble upon causes of death like “livergrown” and “drowned at St. Katharine’s by the Tower”.

etc The mysterious dancing plague that swept through Europe in 1518. own · sim 0.41 · keep 0.76 · score -10

#17 · curiosity Oct 24, 2024

The coolest ghost towns in every US state

Trying to avoid crowds? This list from Thrillist compiles various ghost towns across the United States, highlighting their unique characteristics and explaining why they were abandoned. Peruse this comprehensive list to learn more about why people left these areas and what's still there. If you're looking for additional creepiness, explore and find out which of these spots are particularly haunted!

etc The creepiest urban legend from every US state. own · sim 0.58 · keep 0.76 · score -1

#18 · curiosity Oct 22, 2026

Discover which actor is the center of Hollywood in this interactive experience by deducing the actors with the fewest degrees of separation from other Hollywood stars.

The trivia game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon asks players to link any Hollywood actor to Kevin Bacon in six or fewer steps, based on shared films.

Discover which actors have been at the center of Hollywood since 1980—and which Gen Z actor might take that position in the future.
As of 2026, so-called center of Hollywood is Samuel L. Jackson.

etc Who is Gen Z's "six degrees of Kevin Bacon"? own · sim 0.70 · score -1

#19 · news-in-context Feb 26, 2026

Experts believe a Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship is likely in 2026

In September 2025, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to review lower court rulings striking down its executive order on birthright citizenship. If the court takes the case, a decision is expected by mid-2026.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld sibling · sim 0.42 · keep 0.06 · score -5

#20 · explainers Apr 13, 2026

Minor technology failures can spiral into massive internet outages

A mix of centralized cloud infrastructure and legacy protocols leaves the internet susceptible to downtime from minor cyberattacks or software bugs, infrastructure damage caused by extreme weather, and human error if a DNS service provider—the internet's phone book—or a backend system, such as Amazon Web Services, were compromised.

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.46 · keep 0.26 · score -3

#21 · explainers Feb 21, 2026

The Supreme Court limited federal judges' power to issue nationwide injunctions in 2025

In a 2025 decision arising from litigation over a presidential order on birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court held that individual federal judges may not nationwide block executive policies—curbing the use of sweeping injunctions and reshaping how constitutional challenges proceed through the courts.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld any_band · sim 0.47 · keep 0.08 · score -4

#22 · explainers Jan 17, 2024

Chimpanzees are dying from human colds

For some great apes, the threat of human-borne diseases outweighs poaching or habitat loss. This article details the danger of reverse zoonoses, which refers to diseases that spread from humans to animals.

itk Macaque monkeys who live through a deadly disease outbreak appear to avoid potentially con own · sim 0.50 · keep 0.37 · score -2

#23 · curiosity Apr 23, 2026

Overcoming industry skeptics, SpaceX provides low-cost, high-publicity spaceflights

From recovering and reusing rocket components to launching a mannequin and Tesla into orbit to the tune of David Bowie's "Starman," Elon Musk drove public interest and government contracts to his company as he transformed space launches into spectacles.

itk US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +1.1%), boosted by 7.8% ju own · sim 0.50 · keep 0.20 · score -6

#24 · curiosity Oct 6, 2026

Temu was ordered to pay a $2M fine for alleged FTC violations

Specifically, Temu allegedly violated the INFORM Consumers Act of 2023 by failing to provide its customers with information and tools to help them avoid and report stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe goods.

itk New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay the state $25B for deceiving users about its data priv own · sim 0.47 · keep 0.09 · score -2

#25 · experiences Feb 7, 2022

How many galaxies are there? (Hint: a lot)

The universe is considered by some to be infinite, while others find comfort in the fact that it may have an end. Click for more.

etc What are the odds we're not alone in the universe? own · sim 0.46 · keep 0.41 · score -5

#26 · curiosity Jul 14, 2026

Check out the 50 weirdest roadside attractions in the US, from Alabama's Unclaimed Baggae Center to Wyoming's Elkhorn Arch.

etc Reese's reveals the best places in the US to go trick-or-treating. own · sim 0.41 · keep 0.78 · score -8

#27 · curiosity Oct 31, 2025

This is not a chip

Pringles aren’t chips—legally speaking. In the US, the FDA said they’re not potato chips. In the UK, courts ruled they’re not even crisps. Turns out, being 42% potato creates a lot of legal confusion. So what are they, really?

etc Lay's wants you to eat Thanksgiving dinner in chip form. own · sim 0.48 · keep 0.85 · score -1

#28 · explainers Feb 19, 2026

Ukraine's pro-Russian President halted an EU deal in 2013, leading to a mass protest movement

In late 2013, President Viktor Yanukovych suspended preparations for a long-negotiated EU association agreement under Russian pressure, signaling a return to Moscow's influence and sparking mass Euromaidan protests across Ukraine.

lead US-Russia Relations Thaw any_band · sim 0.41 · keep 0.07 · score -1

#29 · explainers Feb 10, 2026

Your device can become infected with malware by simply browsing the internet

During a drive-by download attack, security flaws in a program or operating system (e.g., Windows) used to access online content are exploited, and malicious code is downloaded—for example, when loading a hacked webpage—onto a user's device without their knowledge. Restricting internet browsing to safe sites and installing security updates helps prevent these attacks.

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.45 · keep 0.34 · score -5

#30 · explainers Feb 25, 2026

Roe v. Wade recognized a constitutional right to abortion until Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned it

For decades, the Supreme Court shaped abortion access through constitutional rulings, from Roe's recognition of a right to abortion to Dobbs' returning regulatory power to the states. This explainer tracks key cases, impacts, and current justices' views.

lead Transgender Inmate Rights Upheld any_band · sim 0.42 · keep 0.15 · score -6

#31 · explainers Aug 18, 2025

The 1973 oil embargo by OPEC inspired advances in alternative energy technology

The shortages imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) created a global energy crisis and economic instability after the Arab-Israeli War. This led to investments in green technologies and improvements in automobile fuel efficiency and manufacturing.

itk Energy Department plans to loan up to 315,000 barrels of oil from the Northeast Home Heati own · sim 0.43 · keep 0.27 · score -2

#32 · curiosity Feb 18, 2026

To fight invasive species, some people have harvested them to produce useful materials that can be sold for a profit.

In Mexico, some companies are transforming sargassum seaweed blooms into paper, bricks, and shoes.

In Cambodia, water hyacinths are dried and woven into baskets, rugs, and other crafts.
Lionfish and green crabs have been hunted for culinary dishes, with the latter also being used to make crab whiskey in New England.

itk Chesapeake Bay fishermen recover more than 24,000 abandoned traps, saving tens of thousand sibling · sim 0.45 · keep 0.81 · score -3

#33 · curiosity Apr 28, 2026

Decommissioned oil rigs have been repurposed into artificial reefs that serve as nursery habitats for fish, corals, sponges, and other invertebrates in the decades since their installation.

Oil companies responsible for bringing these rigs to shore to salvage them can more affordably transport only the oil rig's deck on a barge, leaving the remaining rig to maintain the established biodiversity.

itk Chesapeake Bay fishermen recover more than 24,000 abandoned traps, saving tens of thousand sibling · sim 0.44 · keep 0.77 · score -5

#34 · experiences Jun 24, 2026

View a gallery of diatoms—algae surrounded by glass-like shells—captured via microscope.

The cell walls of these single-celled organisms are made of hydrated silicon dioxide, which refracts light in a manner similar to opals.

etc See ordinary objects look extraordinary under a microscope. sibling · sim 0.45 · keep 0.42 · score -2

#35 · curiosity Oct 6, 2026

Europe's first recorded influenza pandemic swept the continent in 1580

The 1580 influenza pandemic, traced from Asia to Africa and into Europe, became the first flu outbreak clearly documented across the continent—killing tens of thousands and highlighting influenza's potential for rapid global spread.

etc The mysterious dancing plague that swept through Europe in 1518. sibling · sim 0.50 · keep 0.42 · score -1

#36 · curiosity Oct 6, 2026

Volcanoes in the 1340s likely helped trigger the Black Death

The "bubonic plague" that wiped out roughly half of Europe and Asia originated from many factors. Recent research suggests volcanic eruptions contributed as well. The "aerosol" effects of matter released from eruptions likely prompted famine and accelerated the spread of infected fleas riding on grains avoiding spoilage.

etc The mysterious dancing plague that swept through Europe in 1518. sibling · sim 0.47 · keep 0.54 · score -2

#37 · explainers Jun 30, 2026

Security technician hacks a voting machine to reveal its vulnerabilities

A technician bought an old, likely-decommissioned voting machine from 2013 and took it apart to see how a would-be hacker might be able to exploit its vulnerabilities. Get a sense of the needs for secure, up-to-date voting machines with this...

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.40 · keep 0.75 · score -7

#38 · explainers Mar 22, 2022

Lung cancer advances are making a big difference

Lung cancer deaths are declining faster than new cases due to advances in treatment. The progress illustrates what is possible, even for a cancer that has long had a poor prognosis.

itk Pope Leo XIV will not need further lung cancer treatment, his doctors say, maintaining the sibling · sim 0.45 · keep 0.15 · score -1

#39 · curiosity Nov 23, 2022

Ten thousand mink got loose in Ohio

Vandalism freed thousands of mink at a rural northwest Ohio farm, leaving an estimated 10,000 of the small carnivorous mammals unaccounted for, according to the local sheriff.

itk Chesapeake Bay fishermen recover more than 24,000 abandoned traps, saving tens of thousand sibling · sim 0.43 · keep 0.06 · score -6

#40 · curiosity May 27, 2026

Fish populations in the Great Barrier Reef have increased after installing waterproof speakers on the ocean floor that played recordings of sounds from healthy coral reefs.

The doubling of fish populations in six weeks is an example of acoustic enrichment, where sounds attract marine life to facilitate the natural restoration of reefs.

When coral reefs bleach and degrade, the ecosystems fall apart, and younger fish swim elsewhere in search of food and habitats, dramatically reducing the sounds in the area.
In Jamaica, scientists and artists have assembled sculptures to which lab-grown coral fragments are attached, topped by speakers that play healthy reef sounds for 14 hours a day, in hopes of restoring the environment.

itk Chesapeake Bay fishermen recover more than 24,000 abandoned traps, saving tens of thousand own · sim 0.43 · keep 0.74 · score -7

#41 · experiences Sep 12, 2023

Visit these offbeat attractions in each US state

Skip the lines, avoid the crowds, go against the grain: That's the spirit of this list of the 50 coolest offbeat attractions in every US state. From Alaska's museum of hammers to Wyoming's thermal pools, you can find somewhere a little different to...

etc The creepiest urban legend from every US state. sibling · sim 0.47 · keep 0.81 · score -5

#42 · curiosity Oct 24, 2024

America's most haunted restaurants

If you're seeking a ghost encounter to go with your meal, consult this list from Infatuation that presents some of the most haunted restaurants and bars in the US. Depending on your mood, make a visit to a casual sports bar, fine dining establishment, or eerie mansion, and potentially witness a spirit. Some might mess with the electricity, some might prank you, and some may simply wander around as you enjoy bites and sips.

etc The creepiest urban legend from every US state. own · sim 0.45 · keep 0.75 · score -10

#43 · curiosity Feb 5, 2026

Statistically speaking, aliens likely exist, but we still haven't found any evidence of them

The Fermi paradox addresses this discrepancy between the lack of evidence of alien life despite the high likelihood of its existence. Physicist Brian Cox offers various theories, like the extinguished civilizations hypothesis, for why we have never found any extraterrestrial neighbors.

etc What are the odds we're not alone in the universe? sibling · sim 0.48 · keep 0.75 · score -1

#44 · explainers Jan 31, 2023

Smart cities without strong cybersecurity can leave utilities extremely vulnerable

Insecure devices connected to the Internet of Things pose risks to the entire network, which cybercriminals can hijack to compromise infrastructure and private resident data. Poorly secured systems that become inoperable can undermine the promise of smart cities by worsening the quality of life.

lead Internet Insecurities own · sim 0.40 · keep 0.30 · score -8

#45 · explainers Jul 26, 2023

Why the US women's soccer team has been so dominant for three decades

The US women's soccer team has more Women's World Cups than any other team, and have ranked as the number one team in the world for over a decade. Perennial favorites, the organization is one of the most dominant in modern sports history. Author...

itk US women's gymnastics team earns silver at World Championships, ending a winning streak da own · sim 0.48 · keep 0.29 · score -1

#46 · curiosity Jan 16, 2026

Lack of sunlight during Arctic winters can fuel a winter slump and a circadian disconnect.

Sunlight typically tells our brain to stop producing melatonin, a hormone that makes us sleepy, but in dark Arctic winters humans must adapt to life without much sunlight.

Scientists in this video provide tips that include trying to increase the amount of light around you, even if it’s just table lamps.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi sibling · sim 0.41 · keep 0.84 · score -30

#47 · curiosity Apr 18, 2023

How do astronauts battle loneliness and depression?

You’re stranded hundreds of miles away from your friends and family, constantly surrounded by coworkers who also are your roommates, and you’re only allowed the shortest of walks outside. There’s also no takeout, and gravity has essentially broken up with you. You might need a little help adjusting mentally. That’s where space psychologists and psychiatrists step in, according to this article.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi sibling · sim 0.41 · keep 0.66 · score -32

#48 · experiences Jul 8, 2022

The entire observable universe in one map

Scientists believe we’ve only discovered about 5% of the universe. Here’s a map of what we’ve found so far, visualized using a log scale.

etc What are the odds we're not alone in the universe? own · sim 0.46 · keep 0.63 · score -6

#49 · curiosity May 21, 2026

Fast-casual restaurant Chili's is experiencing a resurgence, with its parent company recently reporting a nearly 32% increase in sales, thanks to passionate Gen Z fans on TikTok.

The company noticed TikTokers posting enthusiastically about its food and began partnering with creators on the platform.

The videos include mukbangs, a South Korean trend in which users eat massive amounts of food, and #cheesepulls, where Chili's mozzarella sticks are stretched to the limit.

etc Lay's wants you to eat Thanksgiving dinner in chip form. sibling · sim 0.41 · keep 0.28 · score -2

#50 · curiosity May 31, 2022

Ranking the best fast food in America

Grab some ketchup packets, toss on your cardboard crown, and meet us in the drive-thru! Browse through the best of the best from fast food and fast casual restaurant chains in 15 categories, including Best Cheeseburger, Best Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Best Fries, Best Onion Rings, and even Menu Item of the Year.

etc Lay's wants you to eat Thanksgiving dinner in chip form. own · sim 0.41 · keep 0.78 · score -3

#51 · curiosity Oct 15, 2026

As many as 500 million smart devices worldwide come preinstalled with malware that lets strangers use a person's internet connection.

Cybersecurity experts suspect that manufacturers of off-brand, knockoff devices are paid to install backdoors as a source of revenue.

Residential proxy companies use these backdoors to secretly rent out a user's internet connection to other customers, making it appear as if their online activity comes from someone else's home.
Residential proxies have been used by malicious actors to conduct cyberattacks, including distributed denial-of-service attacks, which attempt to crash a site or network by flooding it with internet traffic.

lead Internet Insecurities any_band · sim 0.41 · keep 0.62 · score -6

#52 · explainers Jan 16, 2026

Social jetlag—differing weekend and weekday schedules—is physiologically similar to jet lag

Recovering from schedules that drastically differ between weekends and weekdays, something that was first described in academic work in 2006, is a growing concern in public health as more research shows that consistent daily routines are important for human health.

itk Roughly one in four people diagnosed with depression are believed to have a newly identifi own · sim 0.51 · keep 0.44 · score -2

#53 · curiosity Jan 2, 2026

At one point in the 20th century, more than a million Americans had pet monkeys

This choice to domesticate monkeys proved to be trickier than expected, and thus isn't a very appealing option for humans. Monkeys breed more slowly than other animals, while also being susceptible to diseases and challenging to contain.

itk Macaque monkeys who live through a deadly disease outbreak appear to avoid potentially con sibling · sim 0.48 · keep 0.85 · score -3

#54 · curiosity Aug 4, 2026

Researchers have found that various monkeys have pet-like relationships with other species.

Around the world, different instances were recorded of monkeys petting squirrels, playing with pigs in China, and even one case of raising an infant marmoset for months.

While other interspecies relationships are found in nature, they mostly form for practical reasons, like when ostriches and zebras travel together to avoid predators. However, monkeys observed napping, grooming, and playing with other species seemed to do so without obvious rewards.
Anthropologists believe observed behaviors of monkeys' relationships with other species can hint at traits that developed millions of years ago, before Homo sapiens. Their behaviors can provide insights into the evolution of empathy, social flexibility, and humans' ability to form companionships with other species.

itk Macaque monkeys who live through a deadly disease outbreak appear to avoid potentially con own · sim 0.46 · keep 0.66 · score -4

#55 · experiences Mar 9, 2026

Explore 3D models of some of the most dangerous viruses, allowing us to understand these and other pathogens in new ways.

The advent of advanced microscopy has enabled scientists to determine the precise structure and behavior of various viruses.

etc See ordinary objects look extraordinary under a microscope. sibling · sim 0.44 · keep 0.68 · score -3

#56 · curiosity May 28, 2026

Volcanic activity may have triggered the Black Death by spewing gases that led to crop failures in Europe, thus forcing the import of grain ships with plague-infested fleas.

Geological records show spikes in atmospheric sulfur in the years leading up to the Black Death, including a massive jump in 1345—two years before the plague—which are characteristic of volcanic eruptions.

Sulfur dioxide causes atmospheric cooling by scattering and reflecting sunlight, which, in large enough concentrations, can result in volcanic winters.
Medieval writings show that Italian city-states reopened the grain trade with Mongol-controlled regions near the Black Sea around the same time, potentially to avoid the risk of famine.
The first European waves of plague occurred in regions that began importing this grain, with infected fleas having survived the maritime journey by feeding on grain dust.

etc The mysterious dancing plague that swept through Europe in 1518. sibling · sim 0.47 · keep 0.67 · score -3

#57 · curiosity Oct 1, 2026

Measles reached global transmission during the 15th- and 16th-century Columbian exchange

Devastating diseases like smallpox, influenza, measles, and other viruses were largely introduced into the Western Hemisphere beginning with the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus and the ensuing age of exploration.

etc The mysterious dancing plague that swept through Europe in 1518. sibling · sim 0.44 · keep 0.30 · score -5

#58 · explainers Jul 7, 2026

Millions of Americans will be invested in SpaceX because of the fast-tracked process to list SpaceX on the NASDAQ 100, and, subsequently, the index funds that track it.

Getting a company listed on major stock indexes usually generates billions of dollars in capital, thanks to the large number of Americans who invest in the funds that track those indices.

Traditionally, being added to a stock index is a lengthy process that requires at least a full year’s worth of liquidity and price ratio benchmarks.
Leading up to SpaceX’s IPO, the Nasdaq changed the requirements to qualify for the Nasdaq 100, an index of the largest tech companies in the US.
Index funds are marketed as low-risk investments, but the addition of SpaceX has raised concerns for some who believe many American investments will be at risk if SpaceX turns out to be overvalued.

itk US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +1.1%), boosted by 7.8% ju own · sim 0.62 · keep 0.22 · score -2

#59 · curiosity Apr 20, 2026

A visit to the Federal Helium Reserve, which once supplied up to 30% of US helium

The underground storage facility in Amarillo, Texas, was established by the Helium Act in 1925, when helium was viewed as a strategic resource whose export could enable other nations to use it for military airships. The Helium Privatization Act of 1996 instructed the Department of the Interior to begin selling off the facility and reserve, with the final sale occurring in 2024.

itk Energy Department plans to loan up to 315,000 barrels of oil from the Northeast Home Heati sibling · sim 0.43 · keep 0.57 · score -4

#60 · curiosity Apr 28, 2026

The story of the first commercial US oil well and why crude oil is measured in barrels

The 1859 oil discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania, sparked a boom in oil exploration and production to meet the demand for kerosene lamp fuel. Because the 42-gallon barrel was a readily available container already in use for shipping fish, butter, wine, and other goods, it was adopted by the Petroleum Producers Association in 1872 and by both the US Geological Survey and the US Bureau of Mines in 1882.

itk Energy Department plans to loan up to 315,000 barrels of oil from the Northeast Home Heati own · sim 0.42 · keep 0.62 · score -6

Russia Talks, Transgender Ruling, and Thanksgiving Chips