How Stars Are Born, Evolve, and Die

by Amayah Henderson, age 12

Over many years, scientists have discovered that stars have both a birth and a death. All stars are born in an interstellar nebula cloud. These stars are born when gas collapses inward, causing it to spin around the star as it forms, creating a large disk of stellar material. During its birth, a star is imbalanced because of the gravity pushing inward and the hot gases that are pushing outwards. Following this stage, the two forces balance, leading to the three cycles. When stars are born, they can be different depending on their mass. They could be lightweight, mediumweight, or heavyweight.

Lightweight stars are typically 0.8 to eight times the mass of the sun. These stars spend billions of years in a stable phase, making energy by converting hydrogen to helium until the hydrogen is exhausted to create a massive red supergiant. After millions of years, the star's outer layers expand, leaving just a core compressed by gravity. What’s left is called a white dwarf star.

In contrast, a middle-weight star can be eight to 20 times the mass of the sun. These stars evolve faster, barely spending a few billion years in the stable phase, using all of their fuel. It then evolves into a supergiant with a nuclear supply that emits large amounts of light, then dies in a harsh supernova explosion, blowing away its outer layers and leaving a giant, city-sized core known as a neutron star. [Read More]

Megalodon: Ancient Terror of the Seas

by Lincoln Roos, age 12

Most people have probably heard of a megalodon. If you have not, a megalodonis an extinct shark and was the apex predator of its time. Megalodons roamed the ocean about 3.6 million years ago. The megalodon’s appearance was that of a massive shark with an elongated and slender body. It had large pectoral fins and was as long as two school buses, weighing about 203,000 pounds. This shark moved around the ocean at two miles per hour.

Hollywood likes to envision megalodons as big great white sharks because of their similar-looking teeth. However, they have many differences: great whites have a more torpedo-like body with a thicker middle. They do not look the same, and they are not in the same lineage. Instead, it would look like a lemon shark; it has the same look as the megoladon but is much smaller.

A megalodon would typically live in tropical and subtropical areas around the world because it is much harder for them to live in areas with colder climates. Megalodons needed to eat an even larger amount of food. Megalodons ate prey such as whales, large fish, and even other sharks. A megalodon's pups grew up in shallow waters near the shore, and when mature, they moved into deeper water. [Read More]

Playing Board Games May Have Brain Benefits

by Aarosh Subedi, age 13

Board games are known as a good form of entertainment and a way to spend time with family and friends, but they can also give people a break from screens, which can improve cognitive function and help with problem-solving.

There are social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of collaborative and competitive games. Board games and word puzzles also improve executive functioning, spatial recognition, and processing speed. According to a survey by WordsRated, 65% of U.S. adults love board games. Respondents reported an increase in social activity, which the scientists associate with a boost in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and lowers anxiety.

Scandinavian researchers looked at preschoolers who played cooperative and competitive board games. Both types of games encouraged bonding and prosocial behavior. The studies found some differences. Competitive games bolstered problem-solving, brain function, and academic performance, while cooperative games gave more enjoyment. These benefits continued through each grade. As we get older, the health benefits rise. [Read More]

Why the Wisconsin River Flows Backward?

by Kevin Chen, age 17

One of Wisconsin’s most familiar rivers may have once flowed in the opposite direction. According to recent geological studies, the Lower Wisconsin River might have originally flowed eastward, not westward toward the Mississippi as it does today. This surprising possibility is changing how geologists interpret the area’s geologic past and reveals how thoroughly rivers can be shaped by natural forces over time. To understand this dramatic shift, researchers have turned to focus on what lies beneath the wider Wisconsin River Valley.

There are numerous signs of a much older landscape throughout the Lower Wisconsin River Valley. A flat layer of rock at the bottom of the valley suggests that a different river once shaped this area. The unusual slope of the buried valley floor points to a flow that moves eastward. Although much of the original surface has been worn away or buried, these underground clues give researchers important insight into the river’s ancient path and larger system. However, the river didn’t change course on its own—something much larger shaped its direction.

During the Ice Age, large glaciers moved across parts of the Midwest and reshaped the land. These massive sheets of ice could block rivers, change their flow, or create entirely new channels. In this region, glaciation likely reversed a river that once moved East to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. As ice covered and reshaped the land, drainage systems were disrupted, and new routes opened, forming parts of the modern Mississippi River Basin. Though the shift happened gradually, the effects are still visible in the landscape today. To better understand how the river valley formed, scientists needed tools that could look beneath the surface and into the past. [Read More]

How Poisonous “Blood Flowers” Help the Environment

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 10

The Tropical Milkweed flower is part of the milkweed family of plants. This plant is also known as the Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed, Silkweed, or Sunset flower.

The scientific name of for this interesting flower is Asclepias Curassavica, and the origins of the name are thought to be from Curacao, located in the southern Caribbean.

Blood flowers were thought to be native to the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and Mexico. However, these flowers have recently been found in other parts of the world. They typically grow in tropical and subtropical regions. This flower is usually found in fields, prairies, and swamps. [Read More]

Stephen Hawking’s Brilliant Life Despite the Odds

by Nae McNeail, age

Professor Stephen Hawking unfortunately passed away at the age of 76 in 2018. He was amazing in his academics and an outstanding mathematician before he passed.

Hawking was a hard-working, active man before he was diagnosed at age 21 with motor-neurone disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, from which he suffered for almost all of his adult life.

Stephen met his first wife, Jane, a few years before he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jane and Stephen would have fallen in love with or without his disease. [Read More]

New Report Says Milwaukee’s Air Pollution Is Getting Worse

by Edwin Torres, age 13

Milwaukee was rated once again as one of the worst metropolitan areas in the nation for ozone-polluted air, according to the latest American Lung Association (ALA) report.

Ground-level ozone, also known as smog, happens when heat and sunlight mix with gases from smokestacks, cars, and other pollutants. Milwaukee was ranked as the 26th worst of 228 cities for ozone pollution, placed second amongst Wisconsin cities, only behind Sheboygan, which was ranked the 24th worst. The annual report compared metro areas throughout the country by using air quality data gathered between 2021 and 2023. It was discovered that 46% of Americans, equivalent to more than 156 million people, live in places with high levels of particle or ozone pollution. That’s almost 25 million more people compared to last year’s report.

Similar to prior years, people of color had a higher chance of being exposed to unhealthy air or were more likely to have illnesses, such as heart disease or asthma, that make them more vulnerable to polluted air. Although people of color comprise around 41% of the U.S. population, they make up more than 50% of individuals living in counties that the ALA ranked “failing” for the poor quality of the air. [Read More]

Recycling Turns Waste Into New Possibilities

by Dellany Onyango, age 10

Every year, Americans generate millions of tons of garbage, which slowly decomposes in landfills and causes pollution of land, water, and air. Recycling is a way to reduce that problem.

Recycling is a process that turns certain household items into new products. Many things can be recycled, including paper, glass, aluminum, and certain plastics. It is cost-effective because the materials can be reused for future products. Recycling also helps preserve natural resources. Composting is a process similar to recycling, as it gives food scraps a second life by turning them into fertilizer that improves soil health.

Items that can be recycled are usually made of metal, plastic, or glass, provided they are clean. For the safety of the workers, recycling facilities encourage the public to avoid putting broken glass in recycling bins. Some unrecyclable items include coated paper products, most Styrofoam, food wrappers, and food-soiled products. [Read More]

What Happens When Galaxies Collide?

Kevin Chen, age 17

For years, scientists believed the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies were on a direct collision course. However, new research suggests that their future is far more uncertain. Several factors could influence the outcome in unexpected ways.

Currently, the galaxies are approximately 2.5 million light-years apart and approaching each other at a speed of 223,694 miles per hour. Earlier estimates predicted a collision in 4.5 billion years, but with improved data and updated computer simulations, results now vary widely. A team of astronomers ran 100,000 simulations and discovered that in just over half of the scenarios, the galaxies come close and merge gradually over eight to ten billion years. According to a study published in Nature Astronomy, about 2% of the outcomes suggest a collision could happen as soon as four to five billion years. In many other cases, however, the galaxies never collide at all.

This uncertainty largely stems from gravitational influences within the Local Group—our corner of the universe, containing around 100 smaller galaxies. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a smaller galaxy orbiting the Milky Way, moves mostly sideways relative to Andromeda and could tug the Milky Way slightly off course, reducing the chance of a direct collision. Meanwhile, another galaxy, M33, applies a weaker pull that nudges the Milky Way toward Andromeda. These forces are enough to shift future trajectories and cause a range of possible outcomes. [Read More]

Flying Fish Use Fins to Soar Over Oceans

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 10

Some people might think that flying fish can fly after hearing their name. However, they actually glide through the air! They do this by speeding underwater, at a speed of up to 35 miles per hour, and then launching themselves with their pectoral fins up to 650 feet in the air.

There are approximately 40 different species of flying fish. They live in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, and sometimes are found on the outside of coral reefs. Clear, open oceans make great habitats for these tropical flying fish.

Flying fish primarily consume plankton as well as small crustaceans. Although they don’t have a wide variety of food, they have a lot of predators. Their predators are tuna, swordfish, mackerel, marlin, bigger fish, and fishermen. The fish willingly hand themselves over by jumping into fishermen’s nets and boats as they are drawn to well-lit boats. [Read More]

Turn Food Scraps Into Soil, Not Methane

by Sofia Zapata, age 16

Methane is a gas worse than carbon dioxide when it comes to its negative effects on the environment. However, there is an easy way to reduce its production: composting.

Carbon dioxide is a clear gas composed of one carbon atom and two atoms of oxygen. It is mainly produced from human activities such as burning oil or natural gas. Methane is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, and it is the main component of natural gas. Methane traps 25 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide due to its strong ability to absorb infrared radiation, even though it degrades more quickly in the atmosphere.

Decomposition of organic waste, such as food scraps, without oxygen releases methane gas. Microorganisms called methanogens grow in oxygen-deficient environments and allow for the breakdown of organic matter into methane. Microorganisms and germs in waste are not always harmful, as they can play important roles in food production and environmental sustainability. However, appropriate composting is helpful to reduce this methane production, which ultimately has negative consequences for the environment. [Read More]

Engineers Build Air Powered Robot for Hazardous Exploration

by Niko Sayu, age 11

A team of mechanical engineers from the University of California, San Diego, has just created a robot that runs on air. It is made from a singular 3D printed piece. The fact that it can be printed cheaply and easily makes it advantageous in exploring dangerous places like Chernobyl or small mountain caves.

The team is led by engineer Yichen Zhai, who, along with a team of colleagues, created a machine that may revolutionize the exploration of hazardous environments forever. The robot is a six-legged crawler made from a type of flexible plastic used in hoses and shoe soles. It can be 3D printed in one piece, yet it is soft, sturdy, and durable. The robot took two and a half days for the engineers to print. Its flexibility and sturdiness, as well as the fact that it can be printed in almost any size, would make it an incredibly useful tool for any work on flooded or dangerous sites. Its electronics-free design can be helpful in places where flammable objects could be at risk as well.

The robot waddles with three of its legs at a time to avoid tipping over. It uses a can of pressurized air that flows in tubes and through chambers to power its “limbs ”so it can waddle. The crawler moves at a slow 1.6 inches (four centimeters) per second, which is faster than a snail, but still not quite as fast as a turtle. [Read More]

The Science Behind the Spin: How Aerodynamics Control Baseball

by Max Moreno, age 13

As a baseball flies through the air, it is governed by Newton's laws of motion. Newton's first law tells us that a moving object, such as a baseball, will continue moving in a straight line unless another force acts upon it.

A force can be thought of as a push or pull in a certain direction. Three main forces affect a baseball: weight, drag, and lift. Weight is the pull of gravity that makes the ball fall toward the Earth. Drag is the air pushing against the ball, slowing it down. Lift is a force caused by differences in air pressure above and below the ball, which can make it move in different directions.

Most baseballs weigh about five ounces and are made of a solid cork-and-rubber center wrapped in yarn. A white leather cover is stitched on the outside. Because of how the ball is built, the weight is spread evenly. The way the ball spins affects its movement, as spin alters the air pressure on each side of the ball. This effect is called the Magnus effect. For example, if you give a baseball a side-spin, it will curve to the side. This doesn’t just happen with baseballs; it can also occur with soccer balls, tennis balls, and golf balls, which also curve and affect how they spin. [Read More]

Why Fish Owners Should Watch for Fin Rot

by Lucas Abiy, age 8

Pet fish owners may want to dive in and learn about fin rot. It is one of the most common diseases in fish.

Fin rot is a disease that both saltwater and freshwater fish can catch. It is caused by different types of bacteria, most commonly Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio. Fish can develop fin rot when bacteria enter through a tear or injury in their fins or tail. A fish is more likely to catch fin rot when it experiences stress. Stress weakens the fish's immune system and allows bacteria to more easily take over. Fish can become stressed when their tank is overcrowded, when water quality is poor, or when they are bitten by an aggressive fish.

The symptoms of fin rot include frayed or ragged fins, often with black, white, or even red edges. In more advanced cases, the rot can spread toward the body. Other symptoms can include changes in behavior, such as lethargy or lack of movement. [Read More]

De los desiertos a los bosques, los animales se adaptan a los hábitats

Por Gerard Sanchez, edad 11

Los hábitats son entornos que proporcionan a los animales agua, refugio, alimento y espacio para vivir.

Existen diferentes hábitats, como los casquetes polares, las sabanas, los desiertos y las selvas tropicales. A veces, los hábitats no cuentan con todo lo que los animales necesitan, lo que puede provocar su muerte.

Los animales a veces evolucionan o se adaptan para sobrevivir en sus hábitats. Por ejemplo, los osos polares tienen gruesas capas de pelaje y grasa para sobrevivir al frío polar. Los puercoespines tienen largas púas para defenderse de otros animales en su hábitat. [Read More]

How Guinea Pigs Became Beloved Pets Around the World

by Sylvia Hoks, age 11

Many people own little furry potatoes, also known as guinea pigs. Not many think about how these rodents became household pets worldwide. How did they get their strange name, and what is their backstory?

Guinea pigs are normally looked at as fuzzy, large, hamster-like creatures. They have no relationship to pigs, so their name doesn’t exactly reflect their appearance. Their ancestors are actually part of the rodent and Cervidae family.

There are various assumptions about how these animals got their name. One thought is that they got their name from being transported on ships leaving either Guiana, South America, or Guinea, West Africa. Others say that the squeaking noise they make is similar to the sound pigs make. However, researchers still have not determined how they got this peculiar name. [Read More]

Scientists Discover Two 7,000-year-old Mummies Deep in the Sahara Desert

by Elim Eyobed, age 14

After a recent discovery by various scientists, archeologists and researchers, two of the world's oldest mummies were found buried deep in the Sahara desert.

Located in the Tadrart Acacus Mountains of Southwestern Libya by the middle of the Sahara lies the Takarkon rock shelter, archeologists found fifteen mummies at this location. Out of the 15, two seem to have naturally mummified.

Natural mummification is a process where a body is preserved without intentional intervention primarily due to environmental conditions, especially dryness and lack of oxygen. This phenomenon helped with the overall preservation of their DNA. Researchers used the DNA to try to determine the mummies’ origins. Their genes indicated the people likely came from sub-Saharan Africa; however, they also contained neanderthal DNA. [Read More]

Australia Is Home to the World’s Deadliest Creatures

by John Agbo, age 14

Though it’s the world's smallest continent, Australia contains more dangerous creatures than any other continent. This island is home to a diverse array of unique and fascinating animals and plants, each with their own level of severe danger and eeriness.

The Stonefish has spines that contain a neurotoxin that will kill you in under 60 minutes. It is found in the Red Sea, French Polynesia, and Queensland, Australia. Their camouflage skills are so good that if they stay still, whether in the sand or a cluster of coral, they are nearly invisible. There are two types of Stonefish, and their eyes easily identify them: the Estuarine Stonefish’s eyes are relatively small and are slightly elevated on their heads within a pit, while the eyes of the Reef Stonefish are on top of their heads. They are known to hide in coral reefs, under rocks, and in the shallows under the sand. If you are not careful, it is very easy to step on one of their 13 highly toxic spines. [Read More]

From Deserts to Forests, Animals Adapt to Habitats

by Gerard Sanchez, age 11

Habitats are environments that provide animals with water, shelter, food, and space to live.

There are different habitats such as ice caps, savannas, deserts, and rainforests. Sometimes habitats do not have everything animals need, which can result in their death.

Animals sometimes evolve or adapt to help them survive in their habitats. For example, polar bears have thick layers of fur and fat to survive frigid polar air. Porcupines have long quills to defend themselves from other animals in their habitat. [Read More]

The Science and Shapes of Clouds

by Semaia Zerzghi, age 10

What are clouds to you? Most people would maybe say, “clouds are puffs of white floating around in the sky, and sometimes, rain or snow falls from them.” Well, that's the short version, but there’s much more to clouds than meets the eye.

A cloud is a mass of water drops or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. They form when water vapor condenses in the sky. This process is called “condensation,” which allows us to see the water vapor. Sometimes the water evaporates from the ground and rises up to condense into clouds. The word “evaporate” means to change from a liquid to a gas at a temperature below the boiling point.

Clouds are separated into two major factors: location and shape. High clouds form several kilometers up in the sky. Middle clouds form between high and low clouds. Low clouds form within about a kilometer of Earth's surface. [Read More]

How the Brain Stores and Retrieves Memories

by Dellany Onyango, age 9

A memory is a record of information that your brain considers important and saves. Memories can last five seconds or five years. Three parts of the brain help with memory: the amygdala, the cerebral cortex, and the hippocampus.

The hippocampus, located in the cerebral cortex, is the part of the brain that stores memories. An undamaged memory gathers information like the current day or time and retains it for later use. When the brain receives data, it decides which pieces are important. This process involves three steps: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding is when your brain takes in information from your environment and converts it into a form that can be stored. Then, your brain stores that encoded information for future use, which is called storage. The final part of memory is retrieval, which brings stored information back out of storage in three ways: recall, recognition, and relearning. Recall involves actively remembering something without environmental cues. Recognition occurs when your surroundings trigger your memory. Relearning happens when you remember information faster and more easily the second time you learn it. [Read More]

Did You Know Red Pandas Are Not Actually Pandas?

by Arsema Biruk, age 8

In contrast to their name, red pandas are in fact not pandas. It may come as a surprise what animals they are actually related to.

Scientists were confused for a long time about what other animals red pandas were related to. Today it is known that red pandas belong to their own unique family, called Ailuridae, within the Order Carnivora. They share more distant connections to raccoons, skunks, and mustelids like weasels and otters, but they are not closely related to giant pandas or bears.

Most species in the Order Carnivora are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. Red pandas, however, are mostly herbivores. They eat fruits, flowers, bamboo leaves, and bamboo shoots, though sometimes they also eat eggs and small animals. Ironically, red pandas and giant pandas eat mostly the same things, but they aren’t related. An animal often compared to the red panda is the binturong, but they are not in the same genus. Both, however, are arboreal mammals that share some similarities. [Read More]

The Mystery of Brain Fog and How to Beat It

by Niko Sayu, age 11

You’ve probably heard of it — brain fog. It’s often thought of as something that only affects older adults, but that is not the whole story.

Brain fog is a term for a large collection of symptoms that many people experience in their lifetime. For example, you could be working, exercising, or just relaxing, and then you get a strange feeling. You are tired, fatigued, forgetful, and possibly even dizzy. Sound familiar?

It is perfectly reasonable if brain fog is not the first thing that jumps to mind. After all, brain fog has recently been associated with long COVID and the aftereffects of anesthesia. There are many factors that can contribute to brain fog. A common factor is lack of sleep. This happens because sleep loss inhibits proper communication between brain cells. This, in turn, leads to side effects such as fatigue, exhaustion, confusion, and a slow thought process. This can be extremely dangerous depending on the individual’s performed task. Another cause of brain fog is dehydration. Dehydration lowers blood volume and reduces the amount of oxygen and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium in the body. [Read More]

Animals That Scare to Survive

by Edna Torres, age 6

Some animals will often make themselves appear intimidating to protect their lives. For example, some animals will roar or enlarge their bodies to defend themselves.

One creature that does this is the male stag beetle. These beetles have large, impressive jaws, but can’t actually bite with them. Instead, they use their jaws to fight other males for mating rights.

Another creature with daunting features is the frilled lizard. This lizard is not harmful but can be intimidating when it is threatened. This lizard spreads its frills wide, creating a large, frightening appearance to scare off predators. [Read More]

Parrots and People Share Surprising Similarities

by Bruno Torres, age 9

Parrots and humans have more in common than many might think. From being able to talk to living for decades, and even using tools, these birds are one of a kind.

Most parrots live in Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Some species migrate within these continents to places like Mexico and New Zealand. Parrots can be between three and tand39 inches in height. This range is wide due to their extensive diversity, with over 400 species of parrots known to exist.

Most male and female parrots are almost identical, and it is hard to tell them apart. However, some species look very different, such as the Eclectus Parrot. Males from this species have green feathers, while the females have crimson and royal blue feathers; their beaks are black, and they have scarlet colored heads. [Read More]

The Ferret That Almost Disappeared

by Delia Moreno, age 8

The color of a black-footed ferret helps them blend in the wild and hide from predators.

Ferrets weigh from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Black-footed ferrets are characterized by their size. They are typically skinny with black fur on their face, feet, and tail. Male ferrets tend to be larger than females.

Ferrets used to roam from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico, but they are now mostly found in Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, and Arizona. Black-footed ferrets can live up to three or four years in the wild. [Read More]

What Is a Binturong?

by Lincoln Roos, age 12

The binturong is a unique-looking creature that is often described as having the physical aspects of a bear, cat, and monkey.

The binturong lives in the forests of eastern Asia, high up in the trees. It uses its thick, padded tail to climb these trees and hang from them. However, as these creatures age and get heavier, adult binturongs will also need to use their arms to hold on to branches, not solely their tails like young ones. Along with its tail, the binturong also uses its claws to climb and grip trees.

A binturong can come in many colors, including brown, black, white, and silver, as well as having brown on the tips of its fur. Binturongs also have long ear hairs and brown, reddish eyes, which many think gives them a cute appearance. [Read More]

The Forces That Keep Planes Aloft

by Max Moreno, age 13

To many, flight seems inexplicable as humans aren’t biologically built to defy gravity, yet inventors found a way to send thousands of tons of metal carrying hundreds of people soaring through the sky.

Despite flying on planes being a normal occurrence, many don’t know the science behind plane flight or the forces at play. Lift is what allows planes to fly. It is a force generated when air flows over and under their wings. As planes move through the air, the pressure above their wings becomes lower than the pressure below them, creating an upward force. However, lift isn’t only generated by the wings; every part of the plane contributes, thanks to its aerodynamic shape.

Planes experience other forces as they fly, such as drag, which is the wind and air resistance slowing the plane down as it moves. Another force is thrust, which pushes the plane forward with the help of its engines. The last force is gravity, which constantly tries to pull the plane down. [Read More]

The Strange Arctic Landscape of Devon Island

by Kaleab Afeworki, age 13

Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island in the world. It is more than five times the size of Hawaii. This island is located in the Canadian Arctic.

Devon Island has two environments that are vastly different. The first environment, the polar desert, has a harsh climate that animals are unable to adapt to. However, there are tiny parts of this biome where there are richer ecosystems, more plants covering the area, and accessible water. The temperature on the island ranges from -16°C (3.2°F) in the winter to 8°C (46.4°F) in the summer. These rare areas, while typically dry, contain moisture throughout the summer.

The other environment on Devon Island is called Truelove Lowland. This polar oasis is located on the north coast of Devon Island. This biome contains a large variety of plants, a more diverse ecosystem than the polar desert, and has a rich habitat that different species can live in. During the summer, this biome rarely exceeds temperatures over 10°C (50°F) in a span of under two months. [Read More]

Appendix Cancer Has Rise Among Millennials and Gen X

by Ayelen Flores, age 15

Doctors and researchers have identified differences in the rates of appendix cancer depending on age group. Older age groups have significantly lower rates of developing appendix cancer: people born in the 1940s have rates of appendix cancer two to four times lower than people born in the 1960s to 1980s.

The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis is a very common infection that causes inflammation of the appendix. To treat appendicitis, most go through surgery.

Appendix cancer has been a prevalent topic in recent medical conversations. There is also a gap in knowledge on appendix cancer that causes it to be misinterpreted as colon or ovarian cancer. Doctors can identify appendix cancer with symptoms such as stomach pain or bloating; these symptoms are different from appendicitis because they are unbearable and last longer. [Read More]

Sheep Leaf Sea Slug Uses Photosynthesis to Survive

by Dulce Vazquez, age 16

The sheep leaf sea slug was discovered on Kurashima Island, in Japan, back in 1993. It can also be found in the marine environments of the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. It has a unique feature only found in a few other animals.

Sea slugs have many small features. They can be a variety of different colors, including yellow, red, blue, green, white, and purple. Sheep leaf sea slugs typically have white faces with black eyes. A unique feature they have is their two rhinophores that look like ears. Rhinophores are organs that help find food and detect chemicals in water, such as algae. These slugs have green cerata (leaf-like appendages) around their upper bodies, which are used to help with respiration and defense.

Sheep leaf sea slugs absorb chloroplasts from algae. During this process, photosynthesis takes place, which is the process of turning light into food. They collect chloroplasts in their tissue. The chloroplast is gathered in their tissue for no more than ten days. Chloroplasts absorbed by the sheep leaf sea slugs help camouflage and create food. Due to the amount of chloroplasts in their bodies, the sheep leaf sea slug’s body has a green pigment. The chloroplast produces sugar, which can be used for extra fuel. This fuel can be used in egg production. Their eggs are shaped into spiral coils, and each coil contains 15-20 eggs. [Read More]

How a Meteorite Helped Create One of North America’s Largest Lakes

by Sofia Zapata, age 16

An asteroid created one of North America's biggest lakes, known today as Lake Manicouagan. This 214 million-year-old circular lake is visible on any map of Canada and is known as the “Eye of Quebec.”

About 214 million years ago, a meteorite crashed into Earth, creating a big crater in northern Quebec, Canada. At the time, it was part of the ancient continent of Pangaea. The meteorite was three miles wide and traveled over 30,000 miles per hour, causing a 350-meter-deep hole. It’s only in very recent history that this massive crater became a lake.

The reservoir was created in 1968, when humans constructed the Daniel-Johnson Dam to produce energy. After the dam was built, it blocked the Manicouagan and Outardes Rivers, which filled the crater. [Read More]

Doomsday Clock Ticks to 89 Seconds as Global Threats Grow

by Sofia Zapata, age 15

Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds until “midnight”– the lowest it's ever been. This clock is a warning to humanity to take control over threats that could lead the world to its end.

The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 to represent how close humans are to destroying the world with dangerous technologies. The placement of the clock is controlled by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist and Security Board, a group of 18 experts with diverse backgrounds. They meet twice a year to discuss events, policies, and trends. In 1947 they considered the threat posed by nuclear weapons to be the greatest danger to humanity, which they used to set the clock. However, in 2007 they started including catastrophic disruptions from climate change in their decisions.

In 1947 the clock was first set to seven minutes, but within two years it dropped to three minutes, due to the dangerous arms race. As years passed, more events started worrying scientists. This led them to continue the countdown and consider more factors. This year, the clock was moved to 89 seconds. Big threats to humanity are causing the clock to continue getting closer to midnight, these include nuclear weapons, climate change, and artificial intelligence. [Read More]

Scientists Clone 13,000-year-old Wolf Species

by Will DeFour, age 15

Thousands of years ago, dire wolves were the apex predators of North America. With white fur and a large, muscular build, they could take down the behemoths of the Ice Age. They went extinct long ago, but scientists at Colossal Biosciences are using gene editing technology to recreate something not seen in over 13,000 years, a species they call “dire wolves.”

Colossal was founded in Dallas in 2021, with grand plans to “de-extinct” the Tasmanian tiger, dodo bird, and legendary woolly mammoth. Colossal uses a gene editing technology called CRISPR to make this possible. Their co-founder and head of genetics, George Church, developed the first genomic sequencing technique and helped innovate stem cell engineering and genome editing. He is now a professor at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Colossal employs over 130 scientists and is valued at $10.2 billion. This value is mainly due to their first great scientific leap, the de-extinction of the dire wolf. [Read More]

Lilac-Breasted Roller Wows With Its Colorful Feathers and Striking Appearance

by Sessina Zerezghi, age 8

The Lilac-breasted Roller, also known scientifically as Coracias Caudatus, was given its name in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist.

The Lilac-breasted Roller is a colorful bird that is characterized by its green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, and lilac plumage. Its legs are small and greenish yellow. While they are colorful at maturity, when they are first born, they are simply grey. These birds have strong beaks, short necks, and narrow tails. The Lilac-breasted Roller lives in eastern and southern Africa.

The Lilac-breasted Roller’s diet consists of grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, crabs, and small amphibians. This bird takes prey from underground. The Lilac-breasted roller is about 14.5 inches, and its tail can be around eight to nine centimeters long. Its wingspan is between 50 and 58 centimeters. The bird lays up to white white eggs, which are incubated for around 24 days. [Read More]

Invasive Mussels Threaten Great Lakes but New Methods Offer Hope

by Will DeFour, age 15

As invasive mussels devastate the Great Lakes, scientists are looking into new ways to combat the threat and protect important parts of the local ecosystem, such as spawning grounds for native fish.

Ten years ago, a group of divers led by Harvey Bootsma researched algae growth and its connection to the invasive zebra and quagga mussels. In their study, they scraped the mussels off a portion of the lakebed near Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan. As the scientists returned over the years, they noticed something odd: the mussels did not grow back. After a decade, there are still a few mussels that have been able to regrow. The mussels struggle to return because an invasive fish, the Round Goby, eats the mussels before they grow big enough to become a problem.

With the help of the Round Goby, marine biologists across the Midwest are trying to push back against the mussel invasion. A team led by Bootsma has cleared a 540-square-foot area by towing a 1,100-pound plate behind a boat to destroy the mussels. Last year, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the key players in the fight against the mussels, created a tank-like machine to crawl across the lake bed and clear mussels in a 2,000-square-foot area. These projects, if targeted in spawning grounds and other important areas, can greatly benefit native species. However, this federally funded project is facing new threats as the Trump administration's budget cuts are taking funding away from marine organizations, including NOAA. [Read More]

Sand Boa’s Hunting Skills and Goofy Eyes Go Viral

by Lincoln Roos, age 12

An unusual creature thrives in the deserts of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. This amazing creature is called the Arabian Sand Boa. Its name represents where it is from and the way it makes burrows deep in the sand. Being a nocturnal creature this snake hunts from dusk to dawn.

This animal is carnivorous which means it only eats meat. This boa preyed upon geckos, smaller snakes, and worm lizards. This animal's hunting strategy involves it sleeping in its burrow for the entire day. When the cool air of the night falls, the snake senses a change in the sand’s temperature. Then in turn it goes higher in the sand with those strange eyes peeking out slightly. When prey gets close its head and fangs lunges out lightning fast and drag its prey deep into its burrow. Never to be seen again. This animal is also an egg layer, which is very strange for a boa because only two species of boa lay eggs. After mating this snake can lay up to five eggs.

The Sand Boa is also very interesting due to the placement of its eyes on the top of its head. This is useful when hunting. It also looks very cute in the process but don't let its eyes fool you because this animal has a very strong bite. The Arabian Sand Boa has to have a powerful bite because it has to kill its prey in one swift move or face the consequences of the prey running away, another predator stealing the kill, or another predator eating both it and its prey. Don't worry about the Arabian sand boa hurting you, because they are very friendly towards humans. Some people even keep them as pets. [Read More]

The Science Behind Spring Bird Migration

by Ayelen Flores, age 15

It is the time of year when birds are flying miles and miles: spring migration has started. Birds undergo a huge transformation to prepare for anything on their journey.

To prepare for migration, some birds gain weight by eating excessive amounts of food, like high-energy berries and fruits with carbohydrates. With the fat from the fruits, birds gain energy, and their internal organs shrink or grow to make room for energy-rich fat. Bar-tailed Godwits, a bird species, also increase the size of their heart and chest muscles. This improves the distribution of energy and oxygen mid-flight. A type of songbird, the Blackpoll Warbler, expands its digestive tract to process more food, then shrinks it during migration to reduce the need to refuel.

As seasons change, birds have to adapt to new habits and sleep less. While birds fly, half of their brain is asleep while the other half is awake to react to any danger. Swainson’s Thrushes sleep for nine seconds at a time. This bird also burns muscles to create energy, traveling up to 200 miles during migration in a single stretch. Burning muscles help it fly for a longer time and reduce the need to stop. [Read More]

High Up in the Mountains Pikas Make Their Home

by Isabella Flores, age 7

The American Pika, or the Ochotona princeps, is a rodent-like mammal. This animal lives in North America. Their habitat is located in alpine terrain, high up in caves and cliffs, west of the Rocky Mountains.

Pikas have black and brown fur, which helps them camouflage among objects of similar colors, such as rocks. Their ears are shaped like half a heart, and they have a thick layer of fur covering their tails.

Pikas collect flowers, grass, and weeds to survive during the winter. During summer, they lay plants in the sun to dry out before storing them in their dens so they don’t rot during the winter. Pikas live in groups inside caves to protect each other. They alert one another of predators such as hawks, weasels, and coyotes by making a high-pitched squeak. [Read More]

Why Does Blobfish Looks So Strange?

by Yemariam Bekele, age 9

True to their name, blobfish are bulbous, squishy creatures with weak bones. Deep underwater, they are unrecognizable due to the intense water pressure helping them hold their shape together. Their shocking appearance outside of the water has caused some people to coin the blobfish “the ugliest fish in the world.”

The blobfish lives deep in the Pacific Ocean. They can be found in dark and cold environments between 1,970 and 3,940 feet below the surface. Giant squids and angler fish also live in the deep ocean with the blobfish.

The blobfish keeps itself alive by eating crustaceans, which can include crab, shrimp, lobster, starfish, and even dead fish. Blobfish relax at the bottom of the ocean and wait for their prey to come to them. [Read More]

Cave Explorers Discover Underground Forest in China

by Estefania Garcia-Fox, age 12

In a giant sinkhole in Central China, a team of scientists has discovered a mysterious underground forest. This sinkhole turned out to be 630 feet deep. A team of speleologists, people who study and explore caves, rappelled into the sinkhole in 2022 and discovered three cave entrances and a forest of ancient trees that grew to be more than 131 feet tall, seeking the sunlight that came through the sinkhole entrance.

Zhang Yuanhaui, senior engineer at the Institute of Karst Geology, measured the sinkhole interior. The bottom is 1004 feet long and 492 feet wide. In Mandarin Chinese, the word for forested sinkholes such as this one is “tiankeng,” or “heavenly pit.”

“The bottom of the sinkhole did indeed seem like another world!” Yuanhaui said. [Read More]

Might a Modified Mouse Make a Mammoth?

by John Agbo, age 14

Researchers have taken a preliminary step toward the potential revival of the prehistoric woolly mammoth. However, one must consider whether this endeavor signals a promising future for Earth, a misuse of advanced technology, or humanity's attempt to intervene in natural processes, essentially trying to play God, as mentioned by a professor at the University of Arizona (U of A).

Based in Dallas, Texas, Colossal Biosciences has successfully developed the first genetically modified “colossal woolly mouse.” This mouse features attributes such as thick fur and body fat typically found in woolly mammoths, representing the first step toward the company's goal to “de-extinct” prehistoric creatures.

To achieve this step, they made eight edits across a spectrum of seven genes, focusing on enhancing traits similar to those of woolly mammoths, particularly traits related to cold resistance, which they believe were crucial for the mammoth's survival in the tundra. They hoped for at least one mouse to exhibit characteristics akin to a mammoth, such as golden hair. The final product, however, was just a regular mouse with a few changes. [Read More]

The Rare "Walking Fish" of Mexico’s Lakes

by Edna Torres, age 7

The axolotl is a type of salamander native to Mexico. They are commonly found in the freshwater lakes of Xochimilco and Chalco. This fascinating creature is not only rare and protected, but it also has biological abilities that continue to amaze scientists and nature lovers.

The scientific name for the axolotl is Ambystoma mexicanum. Despite these creatures being amphibians they don't develop in the same way as other amphibians such as frogs. Typically, amphibians start as eggs and hatch into a larval stage, such as tadpoles, and then grow into creatures such as frogs. However, due to their genetics, axolotls physically stay in their larval stage through adulthood.

Axolotls are usually brown, black-grey, or light pink. They can grow between six inches and 18 inches long and weigh approximately eight to 11 ounces. These creatures have a long tail, a flat head, and four lizard-like limbs. Axolotls spend most of their lives underwater water and have gills however they are not fish. Due to their aquatic habitats and lizard-like features, axolotls are often referred to as "walking fish". [Read More]

Henry Vilas Zoo Helps Save the Red Panda

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

With their unique anatomy and small size, red pandas look a little different than their giant black and white cousins. This furry animal is endangered and Madison’s local zoo is trying to help them. Some of the reasons these animals are endangered are because of habitat loss, human interference, and poachers that kill them for their fur.

These small pandas are native to several countries including Nepal, China, and India. They are also native to one of Asia’s well-known high forests, the Himalayan Mountains. Their scientific name is Ailurus Fulgens, which means “fire cat.”

These furry animals are classified as carnivores by scientists even though they rarely eat meat. Because of this, they are widely considered herbivores as they mostly eat bamboo. Their habitats are home to about 40 different kinds of bamboo. However, they only choose one or two different species that have the most nutrients for the rest of their lives as their main food source. [Read More]

Feathers, Fur, and Farmwork: The Role of Domesticated Animals

by Arsema Biruk, age 8

Domesticated animals are animals that humans have tamed. These animals provide essential resources for humans. They can be kept as pets, used as work animals, or serve as a food source.

Many domesticated animals are raised on farms, including cows, horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, and llamas. Other creatures include various fish, reptiles, and some invertebrates, such as snails and clams. Some are kept for their ability to work, like large workhorses that pull heavy equipment or herding dogs that ensure sheep stay together. Others are raised on farms to produce milk, meat, eggs, hair, or skin. The most common domesticated animal is the chicken, with 25 billion kept worldwide for their eggs and meat.

Domesticated animals can also be wonderful companions. Dogs were the first animals domesticated by humans, about 15,000 years ago. They are descended from wolves. Dogs assist humans emotionally, physically, and socially. This could be why dogs are the most popular pets globally. Some dogs help on farms, like herding dogs, but they can do much more. There are rescue dogs working for police and rescue teams. Guide dogs also assist people with disabilities. [Read More]

April 7th Is International Beaver Day

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

Beavers are very important, so important, in fact, there is a worldwide celebration for them. These creatures make the environment better by making wetlands and watersheds cleaner.

Beavers are native to North America, Asia, and Europe. They are the second largest rodent, right behind capybaras. Beavers can be found throughout almost all of North America, including Wisconsin.

These creatures live in places like marshes, streams, and other wetlands. They sometimes build their homes partially underwater. They do this so they can be safe from predators because of the underwater entrance. [Read More]

Asteroid “Mini Moon” Follows Earth, Spins Away Toward the Sun

by Siheon Park, age 12

The mini-moon was an asteroid that only stayed in Earth’s orbit for two months. This extraordinary asteroid caught scientists’ eyes, even though it was not visible from Earth without specialized telescopes.

The mini-moon was first spotted last August, but it orbited Earth in late September 2024. It was 33 feet long and is said to come back in the year 2055, exactly three decades from now–however, just like last year, it will only stay temporarily.

The mini moon’s discovery was made by two brothers, Raul and Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, and their team of astronomers. They work for Complutense University of Madrid in Spain. Some scientists say it is possible that the mini-moon was a part of the real moon that broke away. They made hundreds of observations of this “moon” in 2024. [Read More]

White Holes Could Be the Opposites of Black Holes but No One Knows if They Exist

by Kevin Chen, age 17

Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the universe, pulling in everything that goes near them. But what if there were cosmic objects that did the exact opposite– expelling matter instead of capturing it? The concept of white holes emerges from the same set of equations that describe black holes, yet they remain purely theoretical. While nothing can escape a black hole, nothing could enter a white hole. Some physicists believe white holes might exist, while others argue they are not possible.

They were first proposed as a solution to Einstein's general relativity equations by physicist Karl Schwarzschild in 1916, just a year after Einstein’s theory was published. Schwarzschild’s calculations describe black holes as completely collapsed objects, but since general relativity does not dictate a fixed direction for time, the equations also allowed for a similar object – a white hole.

Physicists describe white holes as a “time reversal” of black holes. Unlike black holes, which trap matter inside, white holes would constantly eject material into the universe. However, no known event or process in the universe seems to create white holes, which is why they are purely theoretical. [Read More]

Understanding the Impact and Differences of Generations

by Aarosh Subedi, age 12

Generations are groups of people born within a specific time period. Each generation is given a name, and these names serve to categorize different age groups based on common experiences, social trends, and historical events. Sociologists and researchers assign these names to help analyze generational differences in values, behaviors, and cultural shifts.

The Lost Generation refers to those born between 1883 and 1900 and was named by author Gertrude Stein. The name describes individuals who came of age during World War I, experiencing unimaginable losses due to the war and significant global migration. Many of them struggled to find meaning in life after witnessing the horrors of war.

The Greatest Generation, born between 1901 and 1927, was also known as the “Government Issue” or the “General Issue” (GI) Generation due to their involvement in World War II. These individuals endured the Great Depression and were known for their resilience, patriotism, and sense of duty. The term was popularized by news broadcaster Tom Brokaw in the late 1990s, who praised this generation for their sacrifices and moral outlook. [Read More]

Elephants Are Gentle Giants That Need Protection

by Dellany Onyango, age 9

The world's largest land animal is the elephant. It can weigh up to eight tons and grow as tall as 16 feet.

The elephant's trunk is its most noticeable feature. The trunk is made of its nose and upper lip. It is incredibly strong, allowing elephants to dig for roots, spray water, and even wrestle with other elephants. Their trunk can reach up to ten feet in length.

Elephants live in Africa and Asia, where their habitats include grasslands and forests. Their diet consists of tree roots, fruit, bark, grass, and twigs. Elephants also use their tusks to help gather food. Tusks are elongated front teeth in the upper jaw, and they are used for digging, fighting, and stripping tree bark. [Read More]

Sandhill Cranes Have Flocked the Sky for Millions of Years

by Arsema Biruk, age 8

Sandhill Cranes draw attention as they fly through the sky in large flocks, called sedges. These large birds have been around for 2.5 million years and can be found in open areas around Canada, as well as northern and southeastern states in the U.S. During the summer, they are seen in bogs, marshes and prairies. During the winter, the cranes migrate in towards the south of the United States.

Sandhill Cranes can stand up to four feet tall, with a wingspan of six to seven feet. They have gray feathers covering their bodies and are known for their distinctive red heads. Many people think these birds are very elegant, especially when they dance. They can also be heard from a long distance. Many describe their calls as bugling and rattling.

These cranes mate for life. They have courting rituals, which include energetic dances. Adult cranes start breeding between the ages of two and seven, and their young stay with their parents for about nine months. Sandhill Cranes usually live for around 20 years. The oldest Sandhill Crane was found in Wisconsin and was 37 years old. [Read More]

Stars Light Up the Night Sky With Color, Power, and Patterns

by Aloniab Gezae, age 10

Stars are massive spheres of hydrogen gas that are visible in the night sky. They are primarily made of hydrogen, which is compressed by gravity into helium. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy and causes the stars to shine.

Stars differ in size, temperature, brightness, and color. A star’s core is extremely hot, with blue stars being hotter than red ones. The Sun falls in between blue and red stars in terms of temperature and is a part of the Milky Way galaxy. Galaxies are made up of billions of stars, along with gas and dust.

When a massive star's life comes to an end, it burns out and explodes in a dramatic event called a supernova. After a supernova, the remaining core may collapse into a black hole, which has such a strong gravitational pull that even light cannot escape it. [Read More]

Hyraxes Are Small Mammals Closely Related to Elephants

by Sessina Zerezghi, age 8

Hyraxes are mistaken for rodents, but they are ungulates. People think they look like large guinea pigs with flattened hoof-like nails. Hyraxes are agile creatures that scamper and leap on steep rocks and branches. They are also gregarious which means they live in colonies of up to 60 hyraxes.

Although hyraxes share ancestry with elephants, they are very small. They range from four to 12 pounds and can measure up to 12 to 22 inches. Hyraxes have a black patch on their back that covers a gland. When they are angered or startled, this specific patch of hair will rise. Another unique feature of hyraxes is their moist rubber-like feet that form a structure similar to a suction cup at the bottom of their soles. This allows them to have great agility and climbing skills.

Rock hyraxes live up to nine to 12 years. They are widely found in rocky areas. They can be specifically found in East Africa and the Middle East. Hyraxes are animals that are active in the day. These animals cannot control their own body heat so they cuddle up with one another to stay warm. They are also herbivorous which means they do not eat meat and instead eat plants. These animals travel up to a mile looking for food on trees and on the ground. [Read More]

Birders Flock to See Rare Jaegers at Wisconsin’s Jaeger Fest

by Allison Torres, age 16

The Parasitic Jaeger is a bird that spends most of its time at sea, except for breeding season in the arctic tundra. What makes them special are their rare sightings, which have mostly occurred around the Great Lakes in the winter. A group of birders in Wisconsin have created a tradition of looking out for these birds in their annual “Jaeger Fest.”

The Parasitic Jaeger is a lean and powerful bird, with a slim bill and an elongated, pointed tail. For both sexes, their body length is usually between 15 to 21 inches. They weigh about 11 to 21 ounces and their wingspan can be 43 to 47 inches long. This type of jaeger is one of three jaeger species. The others are the Pomarine Jaeger and the Long-tailed Jaeger, the largest and smallest of the three, respectively.

Parasitic Jaegers have dark brown feathers covering their back, wings, and head, while white feathers envelop their stomach and neck. They have distinctive white lines, or shafts, on some of their outer wing feathers, helping birders distinguish between the Parasitic Jaeger and other Jaeger species. [Read More]

Exploring Pluto, the Largest of Dwarf Planets

by Sessina Zerezghi, 8

Pluto is a dwarf planet that orbits the sun, but it is much smaller than the other planets. While Pluto isn’t very large, it is the largest known dwarf planet in our solar system. Pluto has a volume of about 1.5 billion cubic miles (or 6.4 billion cubic kilometers). Its diameter is 1,473 miles (2,370 kilometers), and it weighs approximately 1.31 × 10²² kilograms.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer (not an astronaut). That same year, Venetia Burney, an 11-year-old girl from England, suggested the name “Pluto,” which was later officially adopted.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet, placing it in the same category as Ceres, Makemake, Haumea, and Eris. [Read More]

Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Listed as Endangered in Wisconsin

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

A tiny frog that is native to Wisconsin is getting closer to extinction. This frog is called the Blanchard's cricket frog, and it’s only an inch long!

The Blanchard’s cricket frog typically lives near ponds, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. You can find these amphibians in the southwest area of Wisconsin. They live in mud flats, marshes, meadows, and other wetlands.

This amphibian can’t dig its holes during winter, so it goes into other existing dwellings. It will go into crayfish burrows, rotted root channels, and tiny mammal burrows. Blanchard’s cricket frogs need to find a dwelling that is at least 33 degrees Fahrenheit because they can’t withstand freezing temperatures. [Read More]

Golden Gaze: All About the Common Goldeneye

by Isabella Flores, age 7

The Common Goldeneye is a unique bird that is known for its bright yellow eyes.

The golden eye bird primarily resides near large bodies of water like lakes and rivers, they also live in boreal forest. They nest in trees located in North America in regions across Canada and Alaska. The best time to see these birds is during the winter.

Along with its mesmerizing eyes, the Common Goldeneye has colorful features across its body. The male Goldeneye has a green-black head and a black-and-white body. The female has a brown head and eyes of the same color. [Read More]

NASA Finds Black Hole Growing Faster Than Expected

by Estefania Garcia-Fox, age 13

A “rapidly feeding black hole” was found earlier this year by a NASA telescope. This discovery holds many important clues to the evolution of supermassive black holes.

A black hole is an immense object with a gravitation pull so strong that it can pull everything towards it, including light. Supermassive black holes exist at the center of most galaxies, and modern telescopes continue to observe them at surprisingly early times in the universe's evolution.

The newly discovered black hole, LID-568, is pulling at a massive amount, 40 times the limit scientists thought was possible. It was difficult to understand how these black holes were growing massively in a short amount of time. However, the recent discovery of the supermassive black hole consuming matter at an extraordinary rate shortly after the universe's birth has provided astronomers with valuable insight into the mechanisms of rapidly growing black holes in the early universe. [Read More]

The Aye-Aye Lemur Is Feared by Some but Needed by Nature

by Lucas Abiy, age 8

The aye-aye lemur looks scary as it has rounded eyes, rat-like teeth, and a big bushy squirrel-like tail. The lemur eats fruits, larvae, fungi, nectar, and insects such as wood boring beetles, clear-winged moths, wood wasp, and the green-headed flush head. This interesting Lemur lives in the jungles of Madagascar.

The aye-aye lemur has amazing senses of smell and touch, which helps when looking for prey. This creature eats uniquely; it taps on hollow branches and uses its four muscular fingers to extract its meals from trees. The aye-aye lemur can measure up to one meter in length, and weigh up to about two kilograms.

This lemur spends most of its life in the treetops and rarely goes down to the forest floor. Their circular nest is found resting in between tree branches in the rainforest and is cuddled in leaves and vines. [Read More]

The Little Bird With a Big Talent

by Edna Torres, age 6

The Rufous Hornero, also known as an ovenbird, is a small bird that builds very unique-looking nests. Their nest resembles an outdoor clay oven!

Ovenbirds build their nests using straw, hair, and mud. These birds work hard to construct their nests, but they typically use each nest only once. The nest is primarily used to lay and incubate their eggs. However, ovenbird nests can last for many years, and other birds often reuse them once the original builders have left. Inside the nest, there is a designated chamber where the female lays her eggs.

Ovenbird eggs are white with dark brown spots, and the female may lay three to four eggs at a time. Rufous Horneros are about the size of a human hand. Their diet includes insects, fruits, seeds, and spiders. These birds are commonly found across South America, especially in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. [Read More]

Penguins Are Birds That Swim Instead of Fly

by Bruno Torres, age 9

Penguins look similar to each other, but there are actually a total of 18 species of Penguins. While the physical features of these birds make them look like they can fly, Penguins are actually flightless birds. Their feathers and bodies have adapted to swim underwater.

Penguins have black feathers on their back and white feathers on their belly that help them camouflage and stay safe from predators while underwater. The largest penguin to exist was about the size of a human being! Scientists discovered this after studying penguin fossils from millions of years ago. These studies have provided scientists insight into the appearance of ancient penguins.

It may be hard to differentiate between a male and female penguin, however, male penguins are taller and heavier than their female counterparts. When penguins lay eggs, both of the parents stay until the eggs have hatched. Most penguins have a life span between 15 and 20 years. [Read More]

White-Nose Syndrome Threatens Bat Populations Across North America

by Aubrey Bevenue, age 13

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that is killing bats across North America, leading to the endangerment of multiple bat species. This disease was found in New York in 2006 and has spread to most of the U.S. and Canadian Provinces.

The white-nosed syndrome (WNS) is a disease found on bats' noses, which causes them to have difficulties throughout life. It affects the way they hibernate, fly, exchange heat and maintain blood circulation.

Typically, bats hibernate all winter long and do not need to eat during this time. However, with the disease, bats tend to wake up more frequently and may need to consume more food. Bats primarily eat insects, but during winter, these food sources become scarce leading to starvation or unnecessary energy expenditure for hunting. Over time, their fat reserves are used up, which causes them to starve to death before spring. [Read More]

How Ancient Egyptians Made Mummies

by Marco Flores, age 10

The mummification process was a type of ritual performed in ancient Egypt to preserve a deceased body for the afterlife. While many may have heard about mummies, few know about their significance in ancient Egyptian culture or the process of mummification.

Mummies are deceased Egyptians covered in wrappings and put in a yellow or red shroud. Many types of mummies existed in ancient Egypt, each with its purpose. For instance, Ushabti was a mummy that was tasked with things to do in the afterlife. The Egyptians would also mummify dogs, cats, food, and birds for them to experience the afterlife. The food was preserved in this fashion with the idea that people could enjoy it in the afterlife – it was known as a “virtual mummy.”

If one were to be an emperor, king, or ruler, they would be buried in the Valley of the Kings. There, they were buried in shrines and glass cases covered in ancient art. Today, the Valley of the Kings is located at the Great Pyramids of Egypt. [Read More]

Scientists Say Elephants Have Names for Each Other, Just Like Humans

by Oliver Zink Age, 14

A new study shows elephants have names for each other just like people do. Scientists discovered this by using the sounds that elephants call each other, and the elephants reacted.

West African elephants call each other by name-like calls, a rare ability in non-human animals. Researchers recorded calls of the elephant's name being communicated by another elephant. Then, they played the recording to the elephant and it responded by calling back or walking toward the speaker. A mother elephant would also react to their child’s name, though not as much as their child. The researcher’s experiment confirmed that elephants use a name-like component that distinguishes each elephant from each other. When scientists played the recording for other elephants there was little to no reaction, confirming their hypothesis.

In another study, Micheal Pardo, a researcher at CSU and Save the Elephants, tested the hypothesis on dolphins and parrots. He found that dolphins and parrots called one another by “name” by imitating the call used by the addressee. In contrast, the elephants do not imitate the receiver's call to address one another, which is very similar to humans. The ability to learn to produce new sounds is uncommon in nonhuman mammals, but it is necessary for identifying individuals by name. Arbitrary communication, where a sound represents an idea rather than an imitation, greatly expands communication capability and is considered a next-level cognitive ability. [Read More]

Discover UW-Madison’s Zoological Museum

by Kevin Chen, age 16

Who would’ve guessed that you can find a 13,000-year-old giant beaver skull right here in Madison? It is among the 750,000 different species of animals in the UW-Madison Zoological Museum.

The museum started collecting specimens as early as 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state. The Zoological Museum is also a national center for research and education. Its goal is to study animals, not just in Wisconsin but also from around the world. UW biology students study skeletons of “finch” birds, which were also studied by Charles Darwin. They learn about Darwin and natural selection during class and examine the skeletons in labs.

What makes this museum stand out even more is associate director and curator Laura Monohan’s time spent on the museum’s upkeep. “She is the core – the heart – of the museum,” said Jason Miszaniec, a research associate and museum scientist. Monohan has raised more than $800,000 from donors and grant agencies to supply equipment and fund operations. “Most museums are probably only ever going to put 5-10% of their collections on display. But behind the scenes, there’s 95% of what they have…that’s really what I love,” Monohan says. She always puts enormous effort into maintaining the museum. Monohan has worked at the museum for over 17 years. She enjoys collecting specimens and teaching students about the importance of zoology. Emily Halverson, a collections manager for the museum, said, “People come into the museum, in part, to see her.” Monohan’s contributions to the museum led to her being awarded the 2023 Academic Staff Excellence Award. [Read More]

New Wisconsin Center of Origins Explores Life Beyond Earth

by John Agbo, age 14

The question that has captivated humanity for centuries—“Is there life beyond Earth?”—is now at the forefront of research and exploration at the newly established Wisconsin Center of Origins, known as WiCOR.

This center combines seven fields of study: integrative biology, geoscience, astronomy, chemistry, bacteriology, botany, along with atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Each discipline offers a unique perspective and builds on the others to provide a comprehensive examination of the origins of life, both on Earth and beyond.

Eric Wilcots, the Dean of the College of Letters and Science and a professor of astronomy, envisioned WiCOR. The center's broad array of specialties has attracted significant interest from researchers worldwide, who are eager to explore the rich possibilities the program offers. Notably, the center's groundbreaking inaugural project, [Read More]

Sugar Gliders Are Tiny Flyers With a Sweet Tooth

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

This creature glides through the night sky but it's not a bat or owl. It is often mistaken for a flying squirrel. It's the sugar glider, a fascinating animal with a sweet tooth!

Sugar gliders get their name from their diet which mostly consists of sugar. Sugar gliders' sharp incisor teeth are very useful. The teeth allow them to bite into trees, and rip off the bark, which reveals juicy sap. They eat larvae, insects, gum, sap, fruit, pollen, and nectar. Since larvae and insects are considered meat, sugar gliders are omnivores. They are also marsupials, which means females develop their offspring outside the body in a pouch.

Sugar gliders can glide due to their patagium, which is the gliding membrane that stretches from the rear feet to their front feet. The patagium makes their limbs contiguous. When the animal is gliding, the membranes stretch out with the tail as it directs the sugar glider to land. The marsupial steers by changing the tension of each part of the patagium. [Read More]

James Webb Telescope Proves Our Universe Is Expanding Faster Than Science Can Explain

by Will DeFour, age 15

Recent observations from the James Webb Telescope confirm earlier findings that the universe is expanding up to 8% faster than previously believed. However, this old observation was never due to miscalculations and could be associated with dark energy.

The rate of expansion of the universe is called the Hubble constant. It is measured in kilometers per second per megaparsec. However, the Hubble constant is faster than it was after the Big Bang when the universe was formed. The difference is called the Hubble Tension and has been a mystery to physicists for nearly a century. The New findings from the James Webb Telescope have just proved its existence.

Over the billions of years since the Big Bang, the expansion of the universe has been speeding up. This is due to a Mysterious Force called dark energy. It is a repulsive substance that counteracts the force of gravity. It currently makes up 68% of the universe's total energy density and could be the solution to the Hubble Constant. [Read More]

Whitetip Reef Sharks Help Keep Reef Ecosystems Balanced

by Isabella Flores Gonzales, age 7

Did you know that whitetip reef sharks are one of 85 species that make up the family of requiem sharks? These sharks have a habit of resting in shaded areas while motionless.

Whitetip reef sharks are between five to seven feet long. These sharks weigh up to 176.4 pounds and can live up to 25 years. They live in the warmer zones of the Indian and the Pacific oceans. These sharks have up to five offspring after breeding.

When it comes to their appearance, their most notable feature is their front and upper dorsal fins which are tipped white, giving them their name. However, for some sharks, this white tip is not present. Along with their white-tipped fins, they have a gray top and pale white belly. [Read More]

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Sets New World Speed Records

by Juan Esteban Palma, age 12

The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is the fastest car in the world. This car can go up to 330 miles per hour! This is impressive because the previous top speed was 200 mph. The Jesko Absolut is a great model for future cars that want to achieve high speeds.

The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut has already broken four world records with its speed and performance. The Koenigsegg set one record by going from 0 to 250 and back to 0 in 27.83 seconds. Only 125 Jesko Absoluts were ever made. This amazing car was sold for the price of $3 million.

The car’s speed is rooted in its 5.0 liter V8 engine. This engine is outfitted with two turbochargers to give it even more power. The Jesko Absolut’s jet-like design gives low air resistance letting the car go much faster. [Read More]

The Ocean Helps Clean Up CO2 From the Atmosphere

by Will DeFour, age 14

Nine hundred and fifty billion tons. That is the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere right now. This number is only growing due to the burning of fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide. Consequently, ice caps are melting, coastal cities are being flooded, and coral reefs that will not grow back for hundreds of years are being destroyed.

Carbon emissions threaten life on Earth, but just stopping the burning of them is not enough. To truly stop the Earth's warming, carbon must be removed from the atmosphere. The removal of carbon dioxide is not an easy endeavor as it requires space, money, and highly advanced technology. One potential location to capture and store carbon dioxide is in the ocean. Already absorbing a quarter of the carbon dioxide that people use, the ocean can essentially work as a carbon dioxide sponge, sequestering carbon for possibly thousands of years. There are many ways to remove carbon, all of which could positively impact the environment.

One of the ways that the ocean already captures carbon dioxide is by absorbing it through seaweed. Each year, the ocean absorbs 200 million tons of carbon dioxide through seaweed. By propagating large amounts of this plant, an additional billion tons could be captured. The subsequent seaweed could be used as a food source, allowing large amounts of land currently used for farming to turn back into ecosystems like forests, prairies, and swamps. This method is one of the cheapest and has uses beyond carbon absorption. However, it is not as effective. For more impactful options, other possibilities must be explored. [Read More]

Toucans Are More Than Just Big Bills and Bright Feathers

by Kai Shade-Adamus, age 8

There are roughly 10,000 species of birds always moving around the world. Birds, in general, are the descendants of feathered dinosaurs from long ago, and their limbs turned into wings over time. There are two types of feathers. One is the strong-stalked “contour.” where are the outer feathers. Beneath the contour feather are fluffier “down” feathers, which keep birds warm.

Toucans are a very friendly and fun species of birds. Toucans primarily eat fruit and use their large beaks to pluck these fruits from tree branches. While their beaks are very large – even bigger than their heads – they are very lightweight and not made of solid bone. Instead, these beaks are filled with spongy tissue.

There are over 40 species of toucans that live in forest and woodland habitats. Toucans live in tree holes that are made naturally or made by other animals, like woodpeckers. Toucans usually lay about two to three eggs in their nest at a time. The eggs take two to three weeks to hatch. Newborn toucans are usually featherless and blind. [Read More]

Frogs Around the World Show Amazing Ways to Survive

by Isabella Flores, age 7

Frogs come from all over the world, living in dry environments such as deserts and very wet ecosystems like rainforests. While there are some poisonous frogs, many are harmless. Frogs eat various small insects, worms, and even larger species like mice and snakes.

One well-known frog is the red-eyed tree frog. These frogs specifically camouflage themselves in rainforest trees to hide from predators. They hide all their bright colors by shutting their eyes, covering their blue sides with their legs, and tucking in their bright orange feet beneath their bellies. The red-eyed tree frog has sticky pads on its feet for climbing and its long strong legs help it jump between branches.

The Uakari poison frog is also another well-known species. The glands on its body produce poison and the bright stripes across its back lure in prey. While this frog is only 1.5 centimeters long, they can be dangerous to mess with. [Read More]

Sea Turtles Are Gentle Giants of the Ocean

by Semaia Zeregezhi, age 10

Sea turtles are tranquil, loving reptiles, and they can range in size from small to absolutely massive. The largest sea turtles can weigh more than eight people combined! Their shells consist of an upper part called a “carapace” and a lower section called a “plastron.” Hard scales, also known as “scutes,” cover all species of turtles except leatherback turtles.

There are six different species of sea turtles. The Olive Ridley turtle normally weighs less than 100 pounds. The leatherback usually ranges from 650 to 1,300 pounds. The carapace of each turtle ranges in color, length, shape, and arrangement of scales. The plastron is located beneath the sea turtle's stomach.

Because sea turtles do not have teeth, their jaws have modified “beaks” suited to their diet. They also do not have visible ears, but they have eardrums covered by their skin. Sea turtles hear low frequencies best, and they have an excellent sense of smell. Their vision in water is decent, but sea turtles are nearsighted out of water. [Read More]

How Deep Sea Fish Use Light to Survive in the Dark

by Edna Torres, age 6

Many deep sea fish use light-producing organs to survive since the sun cannot reach the deeper level of the sea.

There are many fish that live in the deep sea, like lanternfish, hatcherfish, and anglerfish. These fish are intriguing and interesting because they don’t act like typical fish.

Deep sea fish obtain food by using their organs to make light, these are called photophores. This ability is called bioluminescence. Angler fish have a small bioluminescent lure to attract prey. Some fish don’t have eyes, so they use their other sense, like their ears, to hunt down senses. [Read More]

How Barred Owls Threaten Spotted Owls

by Siheon Park, age 11

Spotted owls are threatened carnivores that inhabit forests, as well as wooded and rocky canyons across the American West Coast, the Southwestern United States, and western Mexico.

Male spotted owls weigh up to 1.5 pounds and grow up to 48 centimeters tall. Female spotted owls are slightly larger and taller than the males. They weigh up to 1.7 pounds and are about 48 centimeters tall.

Spotted owls are nocturnal hunters that eat small mammals like squirrels, birds, rats, voles, hares, and other small owls. These owls have competition with close relatives called Barred owls. Barred owls are larger and are more aggressive than spotted owls. Barred owls have begun to displace spotted owls in their natural habitats. [Read More]

Giraffes Are Graceful Animals of the African Grasslands

by Isabella Flores, age 7

Did you know that baby giraffes are known as calves? These calves are about six feet tall when they are born!

The scientific name for a giraffe is giraffe camelopardalis. These animals are herbivores which means their diet consists of plants, grass, leaves, and fruit. These mammals can weigh up to 1,750 to 2,800 pounds, and can grow up to 19 feet tall!

Calves commonly die due to lion attacks during the beginning of their lifespan. Adult giraffes can protect themselves due to their height. Along with their height, giraffes have long tongues, necks, and strong legs for running. For giraffes to stay safe, they need to be mindful of their surroundings when bending down to rest or drink water. [Read More]

Winter Finches Are Taking Their Time to Migrate

By John Agbo, age 14

This year’s Winter Finch Forecast released by the Finch Research Network suggests a slower year for migratory birds arriving in Wisconsin.

During the winter, many species of Wisconsin’s migratory songbirds fly South, searching for food sources and warmer temperatures. This season also usually attracts birds from farther north, from Canada, for the same reasons. The number of birds flying to Wisconsin and other states varies every year, depending on the availability of crops and berries. However, recent patterns indicate that many birds hesitate to make this journey. They have remained in their northern habitats longer than usual.

The migration patterns of finches help predict the migratory patterns of other birds and are connected to the availability of food sources in their homes in the boreal forests in Canada. The Finch Research Network has cone crop reporters on the ground who monitor the abundance of cone crops and berries in Canada. Based on their reports, the Winter Finch Forecast is created, analyzing bird movement patterns and preparing residents for roughly how many and which birds to expect. The forecast generally pertains to Ontario and nearby areas, including Wisconsin. [Read More]

Saving the Northern Bald Ibis Through Guided Migration

by Kevin Chen, age 16

Migration is crucial for birds like the northern bald ibis. Almost completely wiped out in the 17th century, the birds have been saved from extinction through breeding programs and human support over the last two decades.

Although northern bald ibises no longer face the crisis of extinction, they still lack the instincts of migration routes, which in the past were learned from older generations. They now need more external support systems to survive.

To resolve this issue, a conservation team led by Johannes Fritz, a biologist, and the Waldrapp Team based in Austria developed a unique idea. They started relocating northern bald ibises from risky areas to safer locations. However, the result was that the birds were unfamiliar with the intended routes for migration. [Read More]

Bees and Wasps Are Similar Yet Surprisingly Different

by Dellany Onyango, age 9

Bees and wasps are winged insects that share many similarities but also have distinct differences. Both insects have a proboscis, a specialized mouthpart that helps them drink water and nectar. Female bees and wasps have an organ called an ovipositor, which can be used for either laying eggs or, in some species, as a stinger. Since male bees and wasps don’t lay eggs, they do not have an ovipositor and, therefore, cannot sting.

Bees and wasps are found on all continents except Antarctica and can thrive in various environments, from deserts to grasslands. Their diets mainly consist of nectar and pollen, but some wasps are also carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates such as caterpillars and spiders.

Bees and wasps have unique body features that vary in color and size. While bees are typically hairy and stout, wasps have sleeker, longer bodies. Female and male wasps can grow up to two inches long, with some species having bright yellow and black abdomens. Although male wasps do not have stingers, some species can still inject venom into their prey or predators. Many wasps are also known to paralyze caterpillars with their sting before laying eggs inside them, a behavior common in parasitic wasps. [Read More]

Cómo las plantas acuáticas sobreviven en el agua

por Semaia Zerezghi, edad 9

Las plantas acuáticas son plantas que viven en el agua. Estas especies viven en el margen de estanques, ríos y pantanos. Un ejemplo de este tipo de plantas es la Vallisneria spiralis, una planta oxigenante, que suele estar en estanques y acuarios.

Muchas de las plantas acuáticas se encuentran bajo el agua, pero también hay algunas expuestas al aire. El pequeño sistema de raíces sirve para anclar la planta y para directamente absorber el dióxido de carbono y los minerales del agua. Algunas plantas que están bajo el agua contienen bolsas de aire que les ayudan a sobrevivir en estas condiciones.

Las plantas acuáticas fueron algunas de las primeras plantas en la historia. Con el paso del tiempo, se evolucionaron a plantas que viven en la tierra y en el agua. [Read More]