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The giant oceanic birds are producing more and plumper chicks, at least for now
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Volcanologists thought that the buildup to an eruption would take centuries. But this report adds to a suspicion that it can happen faster than expected
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The native people knew what orcas ate, how they hunted prey, how the prey responded to the whales and when and where predation occurred
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Studies show that coaches often make poor choices in crucial situations. But one coach may have a secret advantage
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A study in birds confirms that protective caps on chromosomes predict a longer lifespan
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Why can some--but only some--bluetongue skinks eat a toad that is poisonous to eat or even lick?
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When housed in an aquarium with a swirling robotic school, what determines whether a fish will join the crowd?
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What makes a snake stop squeezing? We do science to prove ourselves wrong, because the answer people predicted is not the correct answer
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Recent solar storms have triggered northern lights of unprecedented color and intensity
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In honor of the Year of the Dragon, we take a look at some potential inspirations for the dragon myth
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Comets dive into the sun frequently, but previous ones had been too small and dim to be seen against the glaring backdrop
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A new study shows that our perceptions of wealth don't always match up with reality
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Students in England concluded that the Star Wars space station could easily have destroyed an Earth-like planet
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Naturally occurring uranium doesn't have enough of the fissile isotope U-235 to set off a nuclear reaction, but scientists found ways to increase the stuff
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Mount Everest is a just a peewee when compared with such giants as Olympus Mons on Mars
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The black-marble jawfish takes advantage of its coloring to blend in with an octopus and stay safe from predators
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Being spicy helps a chili plant protect its fruit from fungal rot, but it has a downside in dry conditions
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New Year's Eve fireworks can badly startle and disorient birds
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From zebras in the Kalahari to satellites pointed at the Sun, the magazine has covered a host of interesting science topics this year
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Cats, zombies, earthquakes, chickens--our readers have an eclectic taste
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