Magpie News Collector

animal

Spider silk-making organs evolved due to a 400-million-year-old genetic oops

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 1/27/2026 9:00 AM

An ancient ancestor of spiders and relatives doubled its genome about 400 million years ago, setting the stage for the evolution of spinnerets. ... Read full Story

animal

Some vaccines are making progress in protecting vulnerable species

By Science News | Erin Garcia de Jesús | 1/26/2026 9:00 AM

Vaccines can be a crucial conservation tool. But getting shots to wildlife, and developing them in the first place, is tough. ... Read full Story

animal

How Greenland sharks defy aging

By Science News | Meghan Rosen | 1/23/2026 1:00 PM

When it comes to bucking the biological ails of aging, humans could learn something from Greenland sharks. ... Read full Story

animal

Animals experience joy. Scientists want to measure it

By Science News | Amber Dance | 1/22/2026 9:00 AM

Scientists have long focused on quantifying fear and other negative emotions in animals. Now they’re trying to measure positive feelings — and it’s a challenge. ... Read full Story

animal

There’s life beneath the snow, but it’s at risk of melting away

By Science News | Bethany Brookshire | 1/20/2026 1:00 PM

An array of animals and plants survive winter in the subnivium, nature’s igloo. But climate change is threatening this hidden seasonal ecosystem. ... Read full Story

animal

This tool-using cow defies expectations for bovine braininess

By Science News | Erin Garcia de Jesús | 1/19/2026 11:00 AM

Veronika the cow uses a brush as a tool to scratch herself, revealing rare problem-solving skills and expanding what we know of tool use in animals. ... Read full Story

animal

This fish may play a hole in its head like a drum

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 1/16/2026 11:00 AM

The rockhead poacher is a little fish with a big pit in its head. The divot may be like a drum, making sound that rises above a chaotic, nearshore din. ... Read full Story

animal

Animal personalities can play a big role in saving species

By Science News | Darren Incorvaia | 1/15/2026 3:00 PM

From bold foxes to gregarious birds, animals’ personalities are increasingly being seen as crucial to conservation efforts. ... Read full Story

animal

How cheetah mummies could help bring the species back to Arabia

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 1/15/2026 11:00 AM

Arabian cheetah mummies' DNA reveals that the long-lost population could be closely replaced by a cheetah population in northwestern Africa. ... Read full Story

animal

Queen bumblebees are poor foragers thanks to sparse tongue hair

By Science News | Emily Conover | 1/12/2026 3:05 PM

The density of fine hairs on bumblebees’ tongues determines how much nectar they can collect — and workers put queen bees to shame. ... Read full Story

animal

Among chimpanzees, thrill-seeking peaks in toddlerhood

By Science News | Sujata Gupta | 1/12/2026 9:00 AM

In humans, teens do the most dangerous things. In chimpanzees, that honor goes to toddlers. The difference may lie in caregiver supervision. ... Read full Story

animal

An all-female wasp is rapidly spreading across North America’s elms

By Science News | Ute Eberle | 1/9/2026 1:00 PM

The elm zigzag sawfly has spread to 15 states in five years. Now it's attacking the tree that cities planted to replace Dutch elm disease victims. ... Read full Story

animal

In a Quebec park, a science game brings predator-prey dynamics to life

By Science News | Danielle Beurteaux | 1/6/2026 9:00 AM

Results show that players’ choices echo predator-prey patterns seen in wildlife, though scientists stress the limits of the analogy. ... Read full Story

animal

These sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to protect their colony

By Science News | Rohini Subrahmanyam | 1/5/2026 9:00 AM

When infected by a fungal disease, ant pupae actively emit a chemical cue that prompts workers to get rid of them for the good of the colony. ... Read full Story

animal

These scientific discoveries brought us joy in 2025

By Science News | Laura Sanders | 1/2/2026 10:00 AM

Amidst a tough year for science, glimmers of joy burst through in revelations from the silly to the sublime. ... Read full Story

animal

In a first, orcas and dolphins seen possibly hunting together

By Science News | Gennaro Tomma | 12/31/2025 8:00 AM

New footage shows orcas and dolphins coordinating hunts, hinting at interspecies teamwork to track and catch salmon off British Columbia. ... Read full Story

animal

Science taught us a few new tricks about our pets in 2025

By Science News | Carly Kay | 12/29/2025 10:00 AM

Are we reading our dog’s moods right? Does TV really comfort them when we’re away? These pet stories were catnip to us this year. ... Read full Story

animal

Have a taste of our favorite food stories from 2025

By Science News | Carly Kay | 12/24/2025 10:00 AM

This year, researchers took a bite out of culinary innovation. Check out some of our favorite food-related stories from 2025. ... Read full Story

animal

These are our favorite animal stories of 2025

By Science News | Carly Kay | 12/22/2025 11:00 AM

From clever cockatoos to vomiting spiders, these cool critters captivated us this year. ... Read full Story

animal

Ancient DNA rewrites the tale of when and how cats left Africa

By Science News | Jake Buehler | 12/16/2025 9:00 AM

Cats were domesticated in North Africa, but spread to Europe only about 2,000 years ago. Earlier reports of “house” cats were wild cats. ... Read full Story

animal

Spider silk-making organs evolved due to a 400-million-year-old genetic oops

by Science News | Jan 27 2026

auto

Automakers Behaving Nicely: BMW And Porsche Pay Tribute To 140 Years Of Mercedes-Benz

by carbuzz.com | Jan 29 2026

basketball

Aaron Gordon injury: Nuggets forward (hamstring) facing another extended absence in latest blow for Denver

by CBS Interactive Inc | Jan 29 2026

exercise

Dua Lipa’s Trainer Just Revealed the Body Part the Pop Star Trains the Hardest

by thehealthy.com | Dec 03 2025

fashion

NYC stays cool in the cold: How the Big Apple’s most stylish keep it chic even at the frostiest temps

by NY Post | Jan 29 2026

game

God Of War TV Show Casts An Acting Legend As Odin

by GameSpot | Jan 29 2026

knowledge

Here’s Why You Should Start Doing More Things the Hard Way

by Reader's Digest | Jan 29 2026

metro

Massapequa wrestling’s depth is key edge in battle for state title

by New York Post | Jan 29 2026

odd_fun

Maryland man collects his second big lotter prize in under 2 years

by United Press International, Inc. | Jan 29 2026

people

Kim Kardashian has no problem getting steamy online with spicy Valentine's collection

by marca.com | Jan 29 2026

politics

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison denies making any ICE agreement deal with border czar Homan

by Fox News | Jan 29 2026

retirement

The best (and worst) housing markets for retirees in 2026

by Fox News | Jan 08 2026

science

Halley wasn't the first to figure out the famous comet. An 11th-century monk did it first, new research suggests.

by LIVE SCIENCE | Jan 29 2026

upstate

Shenendehowa CSD issues statement on reported ICE detainment

by NEWS10 ABC | Jan 29 2026

wellness

A 7-Step Longevity Plan for Women in Their 30s

by Self.com | Jan 29 2026

Word of the Day

reciprocate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 29, 2026 is:

reciprocate • \rih-SIP-ruh-kayt\ • verb

To reciprocate is to do something for or to someone who has done something similar for or to you. Reciprocate can also mean “to have (a feeling) for someone who has the same feeling for you.”

// It was kind of my friend to give me a ride to the airport, and on the flight I was thinking of how to reciprocate the favor.

See the entry >

Examples:

“She entered the post office and greeted Tommaso, who reciprocated with a smile, then Carmine, who stroked his beard and shot her the usual skeptical glance.” — Francesca Giannone, The Letter Carrier (translated by Elettra Pauletto), 2025

Did you know?

“Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” “do unto others as you would have them do to you,” “share and share alike”: such is the essence of the verb reciprocate, which implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received. Reciprocate traces back to the Latin verb reciprocare (“to move back and forth”), which in turn comes from the adjective reciprocus, meaning “returning the same way” or “alternating.” Indeed, one of the meanings of reciprocate is “to move forward and backward alternately,” as in “a reciprocating saw.” Most often, however, reciprocate is used for the action of returning something in kind or degree, whether that be a gift, favor, or feeling.

Spider silk-making organs evolved due to a 400-million-year-old genetic oops

Some vaccines are making progress in protecting vulnerable species

How Greenland sharks defy aging

Animals experience joy. Scientists want to measure it

There’s life beneath the snow, but it’s at risk of melting away

This tool-using cow defies expectations for bovine braininess

This fish may play a hole in its head like a drum

Animal personalities can play a big role in saving species

How cheetah mummies could help bring the species back to Arabia

Queen bumblebees are poor foragers thanks to sparse tongue hair

Among chimpanzees, thrill-seeking peaks in toddlerhood

An all-female wasp is rapidly spreading across North America’s elms

In a Quebec park, a science game brings predator-prey dynamics to life

These sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to protect their colony

These scientific discoveries brought us joy in 2025

In a first, orcas and dolphins seen possibly hunting together

Science taught us a few new tricks about our pets in 2025

Have a taste of our favorite food stories from 2025

These are our favorite animal stories of 2025

Ancient DNA rewrites the tale of when and how cats left Africa

Spider silk-making organs evolved due to a 400-million-year-old genetic oops

Automakers Behaving Nicely: BMW And Porsche Pay Tribute To 140 Years Of Mercedes-Benz

Aaron Gordon injury: Nuggets forward (hamstring) facing another extended absence in latest blow for Denver

Dua Lipa’s Trainer Just Revealed the Body Part the Pop Star Trains the Hardest

NYC stays cool in the cold: How the Big Apple’s most stylish keep it chic even at the frostiest temps

God Of War TV Show Casts An Acting Legend As Odin

Here’s Why You Should Start Doing More Things the Hard Way

Massapequa wrestling’s depth is key edge in battle for state title

Maryland man collects his second big lotter prize in under 2 years

Kim Kardashian has no problem getting steamy online with spicy Valentine's collection

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison denies making any ICE agreement deal with border czar Homan

The best (and worst) housing markets for retirees in 2026

Halley wasn't the first to figure out the famous comet. An 11th-century monk did it first, new research suggests.

Shenendehowa CSD issues statement on reported ICE detainment

A 7-Step Longevity Plan for Women in Their 30s

Word of the Day

10 Odd & Fun

1.Maryland man collects his second big lotter prize in under 2 years

2.Watch: Semi crash covers Wisconsin highway in beer kegs

3.Watch: Production error turns 'crying horse' toy into viral sensation

4.Look: Michigan State Police capture mini donkey named Dolly Parton

5.Look: Kangaroo found hopping loose down Texas road

6.Colo. man wins two big prizes from same scratch-off lottery game

7.Look: Capybara named Prune wins 'long bath showdown'

8.Watch: British 2-year-old breaks two world records playing pool and snooker

9.9-foot boa constrictor removed from Florida resident's yard

10.Watch: Wandering mountain lion captured in San Francisco neighborhood