the conversation
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Dig Deep: How Dung Beetle Mothers Are Responding to Climate Change
If the TV series “Dirty Jobs” covered animals as well as humans, it would probably start with dung beetles. These hardworking critters are among the insect world’s most important recyclers. They eat and bury manure from many other species, recycling nutrients and improving soil as they go. Dung beetles are found on every continent except…
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Here’s When You Can See Tonight’s Total Lunar Eclipse
People across Australia and New Zealand will be able to catch the blood moon.
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Is Urine Sterile? And Other Pee Myths That Need to Be Flushed Out
Urine therapy (or urotherapy) is a longstanding practice based on the concept that urine can be drunk, bathed in, or otherwise applied to bring good health or even heal the body of certain ailments. Unusual as it may sound to most people, it’s an idea that persists even today. And like most things of this…
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A Platypus Can Glow Green and Hunt Prey With Electricity but It Can’t Climb Dams to Find a Mate
The platypus is one of Earth’s most unique creatures. It sports a duck-like bill and flippers. It locates prey in murky water by emitting an electric charge. Males have venomous spurs on their legs, and the females lay eggs. And a platypus’ fur glows blue-green under UV light! Sadly, however, this fascinating and irreplaceable animal…