Just Plain WEIRD #2 
							
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Biologist Bruce Jayne holding a brown tree snake, which have now been discovered climbing in never-before-seen ways.  Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand View 3 Images – By Michael Irving 2020 Jan 11 – Scientists have observed snakes using an entirely unknown way of …	
	        
        				
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Here’s why Bill Watterson’s masterwork enchants us still. The final “Calvin and Hobbes” strip, by Bill Watterson, published 25 years ago this week — departing in peak form. (Bill Watterson/Andrews McMeel Syndication) – By Michael Cavna 2020 Dec 31 – “A new year…a …	
	        
        				
						
			            			
																												
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		New Atlas revisits some of 2020’s strangest science stories.  prometeus/Depositphotos View 9 Images – By Michael Irving 2020 Dec 26 – Curing cancer is a noble goal and all, but sometimes scientists just want to see what happens when you give octopuses ecstasy. From …	
	        
        				
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		A snowflake is a small weather feature that can pack a big punch. – By Allison Chinchar, CNN meteorologist 2020 Dec 23 – Many are made up of just one single ice crystal while some, more elaborate snowflakes are comprised of as many …	
	        
        				
						
			            									
																						
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Rocki is remotely controlled over the internet, by pet owners viewing real-time video from the robot’s camera.  Rocki – By Ben Coxworth 2020 Dec 21 – Earlier this year, we heard about a pet-entertaining/treat-dispensing robot known as Pumpkii. Although its crowdfunding campaign was cancelled, …	
	        
        				
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		It doesn’t fit! AndreyPopov/iStock via Getty Images – By Theodore J. Kury, Director of Energy Studies, University of Florida 2020 Dec 21 – Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to …	
	        
        				
						
			            															
																
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Llamas In a pen, Pasajes, Tarija, Bolivia. Insights/Universal Images Group via Getty Images – By Emily Wakild, Professor of History and Director, Environmental Studies Program, Boise State University 2020 Dec 18 – With their long eyelashes, banana-shaped ears, upturned mouths and stocky bodies …	
	        
        				
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		A humble Scotsman saw something strange in the water—and daringly set out to catch it—only to have lecherous out-of-towners steal his fame and upend his quest. The Obsessive Life and Mysterious Death of the Fisherman Who Discovered The Loch Ness Monster – Read …	
	        
        				
						
			            																					
										
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Welcome to Llívia, a little patch of Spain stranded in France and one of Europe’s oldest enclaves. – Miquel Ros, CNN Published 2020 Dec 17 – The view from the castle is so magnificent that it’s easy to understand why warring empires didn’t …	
	        
        				
						
			            																									
							
							
									
				
					
	
					
	
		Researchers found that the kangaroos intentionally communicated with humans. – By Amy Woodyatt, CNN 2020 Dec 16 – It may sound a bit “Dr. Doolittle,” but it turns out kangaroos can communicate with humans. – Researchers found that kangaroos “intentionally” communicated with humans …