MUTTS
Mutts Cartoon
News
How America’s newspapers lost their voice
What happened to newspaper editorials? RapidEye, iStock/Getty Images – By Ken Paulson, Director of the Free Speech Center, Middle Tennessee State University Published: 2026 Jul 20 – Hazel Brannon Smith was almost certainly the most unpopular woman in Mississippi when she wrote an editorial …
As the US turns 250, a forgotten founding influence helps explain its current unease
This painting depicts the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Founding Fathers leaned on French philosopher Montesquieu as they designed the Constitution. GraphicaArtis/Archive Photos via Getty – By Robert A. Ballingall, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Maine Published: 2026 Jul 02 – As …
Bees of many species contain tiny magnetic particles – suggesting they may have an innate magnetic compass for navigation
Scientists don’t know how insects use a magnetic sense to navigate. Laura Russo – By Laura Russo, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee Published: 2026 Jul 17 – A surprisingly large number and diversity of bee species – 74 out …
It became too easy to shout ‘aliens’, so SETI changed its rules
SETI has changed its rules regarding announcements of alien contact. Thinkstock Images/Photo Images/Canva – By Chris Young 2026 Jul 07 – For the first time in more than 15 years, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) committee has significantly …
A perfect storm of factors is driving up US produce prices, but shoppers can still save
While U.S. produce prices are rising across the board, tomatoes are among the most affected. AP Photo/Marco Ugarte – By Elizabeth Canales, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University Published: 2026 Jul 16 – From tomatoes and berries to lettuce and peppers, …
What does it mean to be ‘quantum’? A physicist explains the basics behind Einstein’s spooky actions at a distance
In quantum entanglement, you can learn something about one particle by observing the other in its pair, even across vast distances. koto_feja/E+ via Getty Images – By Aldo Romero, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University Published: 2026 Jul 15 – Imagine …
EastDiet lowers risk of heart disease by 22% and belly fat by 17%
The eastern coastal region of China is an area associated with lower obesity, cardiovascular risk and higher life expectancy – and localized eating habits appear to be linked to this. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jul14 – China’s eastern coastal region is associated …
Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, when Mercury is closer to the Sun?
The surface of Venus, as reconstructed from radar data collected by NASA’s Magellan mission. NASA/JPL, CC BY-NC-SA – By Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Published: 2026 Jul 13 Curious Kids is a series for …
Gallery: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year finalists
Animal Behavior: “Strutting Tern” (Lord Howe Island, NSW), by Georgina SteytlerGeorgina Steytler/Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year/South Australian Museum. View 29 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jun 21 – Charged with sorting through 2,129 images from more than 500 people, judges have …
Cacti spines, snake fangs, snail love darts – oh my! How function drives the evolution of nature’s puncture tools
Jumping cholla cacti spines are a prime example of how evolution creates specialized puncture tools. Tony Cyphert/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA – By Philip Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology and Biomechanics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Published: 2026 Jul 08 – Most people probably aren’t thinking about …
Teleoperated humanoid robots complete first-ever live surgery
Surgeons controlled the movements of the robots remotely to perform the procedures. UC San Diego. View 4 Images – By Omar Kardoudi 2026 Jul 10 – Surgeons at UC San Diego just handed the scalpel to two humanoid robots, who went on to complete …
Floating capsule auto-disinfects water without chemicals or battery
Scientists have developed a low-cost water detection and disinfection capsule that’s powered with a quick shake. Image rendered by ChatGPT – By Simon Heptinstall 2026 Jul 09 – An international team of scientists has created a portable water purifier that works simply by shaking …
Chronic pain eased by a common sleep supplement
Scientists unlock a new area of research into how melatonin works. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jul 08 – A supplement best known for helping some people get a better night’s sleep may also have a surprising painkilling effect on individuals with chronic …
Your old coffee grounds get blasted into fuel in 90 seconds
Scientists have developed a method that rapidly turns the wet grounds into solid biofuel. Depositphotos – By Etiido Uko 2026 Jun 30 – Humans drink approximately 400 billion cups of coffee annually, leaving behind 18 million tonnes (19.8 million tons) of wet coffee grounds, …
Go-anywhere survival pod fends off bullets, bombings and worse
The LifePods B-01 is a protective capsule designed for immediate shelter on land. Momentum Technologies View 5 Images – By Omar Kardoudi 2026 Jul 06 – A new class of survival capsule wants to turn disaster-proofing into something you can order rather than build. …
Origami-like pot grows as your plant does – and takes care of watering
The Helix is not just stylish but functional. Kickstarter – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jul 02 – A company known for its stylish origami-style planters has come up with something completely new – a self-watering pot that actually grows and transforms as the plant …
Review: I kicked myself out of my house to test this Jackery Explorer battery
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 power station is a beast. Mike McRae/New Atlas – By Mike McRae 2026 Jul 04 – Let’s get one thing out of the way. I’m your resident science writer. Alien comets, tiny universes, and body parts are the sort of …
Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs, yet its presence is ubiquitous in social settings and celebrations
Alcohol is woven into the thread of American life, from work events to major holidays and everything in between. TravisLincoln/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Emma Fenske, Addiction Medicine Fellow and Internal Medicine Physician, Oregon Health & Science University Published: 2026 Jul …
Canada’s little‑known role in helping to spur American independence in 1776
A John Trumbull painting of the death of Gen. Richard Montgomery in Quebec on 1775 Dec 31, during the American war of independence. DeAgostini/Getty Images – By Sarah M.S. Pearsall, Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University Published: 2026 Jul 02 – Strange as …
Lifespan-extending human trial to rejuvenate old and tired immune cells
Active proteins on a T cell (blue), including CD-4 (light blue). Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jul 01 – A landmark study due to start in the coming months aims to test a method for rejuvenating our immune system in older age. The …
How a tiny Caribbean island made American independence possible
On 1776 Nov 16, the Andrew Doran, coming from the fledgling United States, was acknowledged with the firing of a cannon from St. Eustatius. This event is now known as the ‘First Salute.’ Painting by Phillips Melville, USMC (Retired) via Wikimedia Commons – …
As Route 66 turns 100, what is it that we’re actually celebrating?
A stretch of Route 66 in Albuquerque, N.M., pictured on 2026 Jun 07. Towns and cities located along the highway are gearing up to celebrate the iconic road’s centennial. Heather Diehl/Getty Images – By Daniel Milowski, Adjunct Professor of History, Arizona State University …
Our bodies may be able to regrow lost limbs after all
A conceptual graphic shows how growth factors BMP2 and FGF2 are applied to the injury site to stimulate tissue regeneration, highlighting new research into restoring damaged digits. Melissa Bristow/Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – By Mike McRae 2026 Jun …
Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes happened on a fault similar to the San Andreas, and the risks aren’t over yet – a geophysicist explains
A 2026 Jun 24, earthquake shook buildings to the ground, trapping and killing people in Caracas, Venezuela, and nearby communities. By Sylvain Barbot, Professor of Earth Sciences, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Published: 2026 Jun 26, Updated: 2026 Jun 27 – …
When your local reflecting pool or pond turns green with algae, don’t reach for chemicals – nature has better solutions
A National Park Service employee uses a vacuum to clean the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on 2026 Jun 20. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein – By Eric Palkovacs, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz Published: 2026 Jun 25 – When the …
What 20 million bans reveal about the strain on Wikipedia’s volunteers
The numbers for Wikipedia tell a story of change – and stress. Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images – By Ryan McGrady, Senior Research Fellow, Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure, UMass Amherst Published: 2026 Jun 25 – This year, Wikipedia is celebrating 25 …
The US founders’ other revolutionary choice: Separating religion and government
‘Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States,’ painted by Howard Chandler Christy in 1940. U.S. Capitol via Wikimedia Commons – By Peter C. Mancall, Distinguished Professor and Professor of the Humanities, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Published: …
The oldest evidence of mourning rituals reveals Paleolithic communities grieved like we do
The remains of ‘The Prince’ of Arene Candide in the archeological museum of Pegli, Italy. Our ability to use symbolic materials in order to tackle complex emotions, like processing loss, stretches back at least 27,500 years. (Public domain via Wikimedia Commons) – By Layla …
Bright evening light tied to macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts
Bright lights in the evening could put you at greater risk of eye disease. Dominika Gregušová/Pexels/Canva – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jun 22 – In a massive study of more than 80,000 adults, scientists have found a link between bright artificial light in the …
Trump proposes putting political goals above objective criteria in deciding who gets government grants, from childcare to research to public safety
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought’s agency is behind this drive to shake up federal grantmaking. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images – By Mirae Kim, Associate Professor of Nonprofit Studies, George Mason University Published: 2026 Jun 15 – The federal government provides grants …
‘Smart’ running safety vest packs radar, GPS and emergency alert system
The RunSafePro vest is presently on Kickstarter. RunSafePro View 6 Images – By Maryna Holovnova 2026 Jun 18 – Running is often promoted as one of the simplest sports to pick up – put on a pair of running shoes and head out. In …
Spider eyes inspire ultra-efficient depth-sensing camera
The SpiderCam is inspired by the two primary eyes of the jumping spider. Depositphotos – By Shirl Leigh 2026 Jun 19 – A new 3D camera inspired by jumping spiders’ eyes may well be found in the next generation of battery-operated wearable tech, assistive …
Juneteenth reminds us of Black Americans’ long struggle for education following end of slavery
Students and teachers pose outside a National Freedmen’s Bureau school in Beaufort, S.C., in 1865. Corbis/Getty Images – By Rodney Coates, Professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Miami University Published: 2026 Jun 16 – The abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass is known for …
Bonfires, Maypoles and a saint’s day: How Europe celebrates the longest day of the year
People wear traditional clothes as they celebrate St. John’s Day and the Summer Solstice in Kernave, Lithuania, on 2024 Jun 23. AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis – By Thomas A. DuBois, Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Folklore, and Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison Published: 2026 Jun 17 …
How Wall Street is shifting electric utilities toward consolidation and profit
What’s driving electric utility companies to merge? jayk7/Moment via Getty Images – By Conor Harrison, Associate Professor of Economic Geography, University of South Carolina Published: 2026 Jun 16 – A corporate merger that would form the largest electric utility in the United States is …
Paving paradise: Dismantling the US Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife, water and peace in the last quiet places in America
A sign on a dirt hiking trail in the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska points to naturalist John Muir’s cabin. Wanderluster/iStock/Getty Images – By Mariah Meek, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University And by Travis Belote, Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology, …
El Niño is back, and ocean temperatures are already near record highs – that can spell disaster for fish and corals
As ocean temperatures rise during El Niño, fish can find themselves in hot water. Geoff Trodd/Unsplash – By Dillon Amaya, Climate Research Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Published: 2026 Jun 12 – It’s official: El Niño is back. By late fall 2026, forecast …
Glucosamine supplements may speed memory loss from Alzheimer’s, new research shows
Glucosamine is sold over the counter. Amanda Mascarelli – By Ramon Sun, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida Published: 2026 Jun 09 – People with Alzheimer’s disease who took the common supplement glucosamine were 25% more likely to die within …
Killing cancer requires immune cells to infiltrate tumors’ hostile microenvironment – sugar shields can help them break in
CAR-T cells must overcome cancer’s many defenses in order to mount an effective attack. Lulu Pérez, CC BY-SA – By Charles J. Dimitroff, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Florida International University And by Lee Seng Lau, Postdoctoral Associate in Cellular and Molecular …
How cuts to CDC are dismantling its capacity to protect Americans’ health
People protest recent layoffs outside the main campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on 2025 Apr 01. Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images – By Candice Johnson, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Michigan State University Published: 2026 Jun 10 – Since …
How America’s newspapers lost their voice
What happened to newspaper editorials? RapidEye, iStock/Getty Images – By Ken Paulson, Director of the Free Speech Center, Middle Tennessee State University Published: 2026 Jul 20 – Hazel Brannon Smith was almost certainly the most unpopular woman in Mississippi when she wrote an editorial …
As the US turns 250, a forgotten founding influence helps explain its current unease
This painting depicts the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Founding Fathers leaned on French philosopher Montesquieu as they designed the Constitution. GraphicaArtis/Archive Photos via Getty – By Robert A. Ballingall, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Maine Published: 2026 Jul 02 – As …
Bees of many species contain tiny magnetic particles – suggesting they may have an innate magnetic compass for navigation
Scientists don’t know how insects use a magnetic sense to navigate. Laura Russo – By Laura Russo, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee Published: 2026 Jul 17 – A surprisingly large number and diversity of bee species – 74 out …
It became too easy to shout ‘aliens’, so SETI changed its rules
SETI has changed its rules regarding announcements of alien contact. Thinkstock Images/Photo Images/Canva – By Chris Young 2026 Jul 07 – For the first time in more than 15 years, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) committee has significantly …
A perfect storm of factors is driving up US produce prices, but shoppers can still save
While U.S. produce prices are rising across the board, tomatoes are among the most affected. AP Photo/Marco Ugarte – By Elizabeth Canales, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University Published: 2026 Jul 16 – From tomatoes and berries to lettuce and peppers, …
What does it mean to be ‘quantum’? A physicist explains the basics behind Einstein’s spooky actions at a distance
In quantum entanglement, you can learn something about one particle by observing the other in its pair, even across vast distances. koto_feja/E+ via Getty Images – By Aldo Romero, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University Published: 2026 Jul 15 – Imagine …
EastDiet lowers risk of heart disease by 22% and belly fat by 17%
The eastern coastal region of China is an area associated with lower obesity, cardiovascular risk and higher life expectancy – and localized eating habits appear to be linked to this. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jul14 – China’s eastern coastal region is associated …
Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, when Mercury is closer to the Sun?
The surface of Venus, as reconstructed from radar data collected by NASA’s Magellan mission. NASA/JPL, CC BY-NC-SA – By Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Published: 2026 Jul 13 Curious Kids is a series for …
Gallery: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year finalists
Animal Behavior: “Strutting Tern” (Lord Howe Island, NSW), by Georgina SteytlerGeorgina Steytler/Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year/South Australian Museum. View 29 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Jun 21 – Charged with sorting through 2,129 images from more than 500 people, judges have …
Cacti spines, snake fangs, snail love darts – oh my! How function drives the evolution of nature’s puncture tools
Jumping cholla cacti spines are a prime example of how evolution creates specialized puncture tools. Tony Cyphert/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA – By Philip Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology and Biomechanics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Published: 2026 Jul 08 – Most people probably aren’t thinking about …