Marilyn Perkins

Why do cats like concrete slabs? Cat owners have noticed their pets seem to go crazy for concrete blocks. Why?

If you spend too much time watching cat videos on TikTok like me, you might have noticed a new trend: #cats obsessed with concrete slabs. But why do cats love concrete so much?
www.livescience.com/animals/dome...

What animal has the best eyesight? When it comes to exceptional eyesight, picking a clear winner is harder than you might think.

Eagles have a reputation for having the some of best eyes in the animal kingdom. 🦅👀 Does that title really hold up?

My new story for Live Science delves into eagle vision and how these raptors stack up to alien animals like the mantis shrimp:

www.livescience.com/animals/what...

How do migrating birds know where they're going? To navigate the skies, birds rely on a complex sensory tool kit.

Some birds travel thousands of miles every year. But how do they not get lost along the way? 🐦🌎

I learned birds can navigate using the sun and stars like old-fashioned sailors... and maybe even tap into Earth's magnetic fields. Read more at Live Science:

www.livescience.com/animals/bird...

What's the oldest known recipe? Cooking is an essential part of human culture, but people haven't always written down recipes the way we do now.

Stew, songbird pie & ... roasted rodent? 🍗 If you want to eat like a Babylonian, that's what you can expect on the menu. Learn more about the world's oldest recipes — and how a team at Harvard decoded and recreated them — with my latest story for Live Science 🔎
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...

How much of your brain do you need to survive? Case reports of people with atypical brains reveal the human brain's staggering ability to adapt to damage.

Do we really need all of our brain? 🧠

Well, if we did, neurosurgeons probably wouldn't have jobs. Check out my Live Science story to learn more about exactly how much of your brain you really need:

www.livescience.com/health/neuro...

Can animals understand human language? There are many famous examples of animals who seem to understand human language. But is there any real science behind them?

From primates with keyboards to dogs communicating through buttons... what does the science behind animal language studies say? I talked with some of the researchers behind Kanzi the bonobo (RIP) and Bunny the dog to learn more. Read my story at Live Science:
www.livescience.com/animals/can-...

Invisible DNA lurks everywhere in the environment — and we're on the verge of decoding its secrets Environments are littered with the DNA of the creatures that inhabit them. Analyzing it could provide a real-time view of how our planet is changing.

This is a great feature on #eDNA by our Planet Earth editor Hannah Osborne. We're using a new article template, which i think looks really lush thanks to @marilynperkins.bsky.social's excellent design skills. What do you think? www.livescience.com/planet-earth...

Why do cats have 'toe beans'? The round little pads on cats' paws are more than just cute — they're a feat of evolution that serve many important functions.

A question near and dear to my heart... why do cats have 'toe beans'? 🐈 🐾

I found out these little paw pads are so highly specialized that researchers are designing boots for paratroopers based on them!

Learn more at Live Science:
www.livescience.com/animals/cats...

Can animals learn another species' 'language?' Animals hear other species communicate around them every day. Do they understand what they're saying?

Animals are a lot smarter than we give them credit for — and some might even be able to mimic the language of other species to their own advantage. Read my story for Live Science to learn more:

Do other animals kiss? Kissing is a multifaceted and emotionally loaded behavior. Do other animals do it, too?

Are humans the only species that kiss? Well, yes and no. Read my Valentine's day story for Live Science 😘

Could monkeys really type the complete works of Shakespeare? The infinite monkey theorem is a fun thought experiment, but does it actually apply to our finite world?

Given an infinite amount of time, an infinite number of monkeys poking keys on a typewriter could, in theory, replicate the works of William Shakespeare. ⌨️🐒

That's what the infinite monkey theorem says, at least — but they might not be able to do it before the end of the universe.

Read more here:

Can you get high from poppy seeds? Poppy seeds come from the same plant that's used to make opium and morphine. So can they get you high?

You might know you need to be careful about poppy seed bagels if you've got a drug test coming up 🥯

But can poppy seeds get you high? (maybe, but you shouldn't try this one at home)

👉 Learn more in my new story for Live Science:
www.livescience.com/health/medic...