How a uniquely human genetic tweak changed the voices of mice A new study shows that giving mice the human version of a gene changes their squeak, suggesting some of the genetic underpinnings of language. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze A study in the journal Science Advances reveals how polar bears manage to get wet in the cold without their fur freezing. Jonathan Lambert
Did a whale swallow a kayaker? The truth behind the viral video A humpback whale briefly engulfed a kayaker off the coast of Chile in an incident caught on camera. Experts say it couldn't have swallowed him even if it wanted to. Rachel Treisman
Scientist hope to learn about the 'lost years' after baby sea turtles reach the sea Researchers set out to catch baby turtles in the Gulf of Mexico to tag them and learn more about where they go when they scurry to the sea after hatching. Christopher Intagliata
Don't give a hoot about sports? The Superb Owl might be for you What began as an accidental misspelling or an online joke has soared into a cultural phenomenon. Joe Hernandez
Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze New research finds that grease that coats polar bear fur contains a specialized mixture of chemicals that make it resistant to freezing. Jonathan Lambert
A man was sentenced to 475 years for dogfighting. The sport is surprisingly prevalent A man who was arrested with over 100 dogs and equipment at his Georgia home got the maximum sentence last week. Prosecutors hope it sheds light on the prevalence of dogfighting, a felony in the U.S. Rachel Treisman
These bonobos know what you don't know A new study shows that bonobos seem to know a little bit about what's going on in a human companion's mind, and will try to help. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Your ears can't prick up, but your ear muscles sure try Humans actually have vestigial muscles that activate when listening closely to something, even though people lost the ability to really move their ears about 25 million years ago. Nell Greenfieldboyce
