European dippers are making the news lately, including science news in Wales.^1-3

These riparian habitat birds are indicators⁴ of freshwater stream quality, as noted below. Scientists study them to learn how badly freshwater streams are polluted—such as by non-biodegradable (non-decaying, indigestible) plastic waste products.^2,3

Lawmakers are at it again as they vote on the latest stimulus bill. This potential “relief” might bring you some much-needed peace, or perhaps you think another bailout is far from what the struggling economy needs. Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, it’s hard to debate the fact that Americans care about the issue at hand.

May and June are abuzz with busy bees, really clever bumblebees.^1,2 And their practical cleverness continues to astonish researchers, as a recently published study in the journal Science illustrates.^3,4

Are people growing weary of scientific experts giving them contradictory instructions for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? It seems that there may be an increasing willingness by politicians and ordinary citizens alike to question the reliability of scientific pronouncements by experts—at least by those addressing this pandemic.

It’s springtime in New England—an important season for maple syrup production.

The maple syrup season is short, only lasting between four and six weeks. The flavor of syrup can change depending on when it is gathered during that time.¹ The syrup is gathered by attaching buckets to trees with spouts sticking into the trees’ bark.