UNIVERSE OF NATURE

Recent groundbreaking ecological research has revealed a astonishing aspect of wildlife behavior: African elephants do not only use medicinal plants to heal themselves, but they also carefully prepare and deliver these botanical remedies to their calves. Published in the journal Scientific Reports , this study sheds new light on the sophisticated cognitive abilities, cultural transmission, and deep social bonds shared within elephant herds. Unlocking the Secrets of Natural Animal Self-Medication For centuries, local communities and indigenous populations living alongside wildlife have shared accounts of animals altering their diets or seeking out specific herbs when they fall ill. However, documenting and proving these behaviors scientifically has remained a major challenge for biologists. A collaborative study led by researchers, including Dr. Elodie Freymann from Brown University, focused on the unique elephant populations around the Mount Elgon region in Kenya. READ ALSO: Fra...

Space exploration and planetary defense have once again taken center stage as astronomers and researchers closely monitor asteroid Bennu . Frequently making headlines across global scientific communities, this ancient near-Earth object has captured public fascination due to calculations highlighting a potential future close encounter with our planet. While science fiction often depicts sudden, unannounced cosmic catastrophes, reality is far more calculated, methodical, and heavily researched by space agencies like NASA. Understanding the actual nature of the Bennu threat requires looking past sensationalized headlines and examining hard data. Space scientists have mapped out its trajectory, measured its physical properties, and calculated its potential impact energy—frequently compared to the destructive power of 22 atomic bombs . Let us delve deep into the mechanics of asteroid Bennu, what modern science says about the risk, and how humanity is preparing to safeguard planet Earth....

Few birds have such an unusual place in publishing history as the golden plover . This northern wader became connected with the creation of the famous Guinness Book of Records in the 1950s after a question arose about which bird was the fastest game bird in Europe. The story began with Sir Hugh Beaver , then managing director of the Guinness Brewery. During a hunting trip in Ireland in November 1951, golden plovers escaped the attention of the hunting party. A discussion followed about whether the golden plover was the fastest game bird in Europe. The participants discovered that ordinary reference books did not provide a clear answer. That seemingly simple argument helped inspire the idea for a book that could settle factual disputes. Guinness World Records explains the origins of the book. READ ALSO: India’s Wild Encounters: 4 Rescue Stories The Bird Behind the Famous Question The bird at the center of the story is the golden plover , a group of closely related migratory waders...

Earth may look like a stable planet from the surface, but deep beneath our feet it is constantly moving. The planet's metallic core, rocky mantle and outer layers interact in ways that can influence something surprisingly familiar: the length of a day. New research published in Nature on September 23, 2026, provides evidence that gravitational forces acting deep inside Earth play a major role in multidecadal changes in the planet's rotation. The discovery adds an important piece to the puzzle of Earth's rotation . Scientists have known for decades that a day is not exactly the same length every day. Changes can occur because of the atmosphere, oceans, tides, melting ice and processes inside Earth's core. The new study focuses on changes that occur over periods of roughly 10 to 70 years and last only a few milliseconds, but these tiny variations contain valuable information about Earth's deep interior. According to research by Huifeng Zhang and Mathieu Dumberry,...

Stories about lions and humans often sound like something from a wildlife documentary. One of the most remarkable examples comes from Botswana , where conservationist Valentin Grüner developed an extraordinary bond with a lioness named Sirga . Their story demonstrates how compassion, patience and responsible wildlife conservation can influence the relationship between people and wild animals. Where Did This Extraordinary Lion Friendship Happen? The story took place in Botswana , a country in southern Africa famous for the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and large populations of African wildlife. Botswana has become an important destination for wildlife conservation because extensive natural landscapes provide habitat for lions, elephants, giraffes, wild dogs and many other species. Valentin Grüner became involved in wildlife conservation in the Kalahari region. His life changed when he encountered an abandoned lion cub. The cub was named Sirga , and her survival became clos...

Alternative energy is no longer limited to large solar farms, commercial wind turbines and industrial battery systems. Many renewable energy principles can be explored at home with relatively simple materials and small-scale equipment. These projects can help you understand how solar power, wind energy, thermal energy and energy storage work while providing useful real-world experience. Before starting any project, it is important to distinguish an educational DIY experiment from a permanent household electrical installation. Small low-voltage projects can be useful for learning, while connection to household wiring, mains electricity, large batteries or rooftop equipment should be handled according to local regulations and, where required, by a qualified professional. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that distributed solar systems can generate electricity close to where it is used. Solar education resources also demonstrate simple projects that show how sunlight can be con...

Dogs remain one of the UK's most popular companion animals, but choosing a breed is about much more than the purchase price. Food, veterinary care, insurance, grooming, training, exercise equipment and unexpected medical expenses can make the total cost of dog ownership considerably higher over a dog's lifetime. According to the PDSA , the UK had an estimated 11.1 million pet dogs in 2025, with about 30% of UK adults owning a dog. How Much Does a Dog Cost in the UK? The first expense is usually the purchase or adoption cost. However, this is only the beginning. A responsible owner must also budget for food, vaccinations, parasite prevention, insurance, grooming, training, toys and routine veterinary examinations. READ ALSO: Dogs Age Faster: How Environment Shapes Their Lives PDSA estimates that the minimum lifetime cost of caring for a dog can range from approximately £6,200 to £18,800 , depending on the dog's size and other factors. These figures are minimum estim...

A remarkable archaeological discovery in Türkiye has added another piece to one of the ancient world's most important diplomatic documents. Archaeologists have identified a 3,200-year-old cuneiform tablet fragment discovered at Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, as part of a surviving copy of the Kadesh Peace Treaty . The newly identified fragment is particularly interesting because it concerns people who fled from one kingdom to another. Its surviving lines refer to people moving between Egypt and the Hittite kingdom and include provisions concerning the protection of their homes. The discovery provides an unusual window into how two powerful Bronze Age states attempted to regulate conflict, borders, return and the treatment of displaced people. According to Arkeonews , the fragment was discovered at Büyükkale, part of the royal citadel of Hattusha in central Türkiye. Researchers examined the inscription for approximately one year before establishing its conn...