Science Daily

1. The pandemic pet boom was real. The happiness boost wasn’t

   Locked-down Hungarians who gained or lost pets saw almost no lasting shift in mood or loneliness, and new dog owners actually felt less calm and satisfied over time—hinting that the storied “pet effect” may be more myth than mental-health remedy even in extreme isolation.

2. Why do killer whales keep handing us fish? Scientists unpack the mystery

   Wild orcas across four continents have repeatedly floated fish and other prey to astonished swimmers and boaters, hinting that the ocean’s top predator likes to make friends. Researchers cataloged 34 such gifts over 20 years, noting the whales often lingered expectantly—and sometimes tried again—after humans declined their offerings, suggesting a curious, relationship-building motive.

3. How female friendships help chimp babies survive

   Female chimpanzees that forge strong, grooming-rich friendships with other females dramatically boost their infants’ odds of making it past the perilous first year—no kin required. Three decades of Gombe observations show that well-integrated mothers enjoy a survival rate of up to 95% for their young, regardless of male allies or sisters. The payoff may come from shared defense, reduced stress, or better access to food, hinting that such alliances laid early groundwork for humanity’s extraordinary cooperative spirit.

4. Banned in Europe, sprayed in America: The fungicide threatening our pollinators

   Macquarie University researchers reveal that chlorothalonil, still commonly sprayed on American and Australian produce, cripples insect fertility by more than a third at residue levels typically found on food. The unexpectedly sharp drop in fruit-fly egg production suggests cascading damage to pollinator populations vital for crops and ecosystems. Although the fungicide is outlawed in the EU, Australian growers often apply it preventively, underscoring regulatory blind spots. Scientists urge scaled-back spraying and sustainable alternatives to stop a hidden contributor to global insect decline.

5. Fire smoke exposure leaves toxic metals and lasting immune changes

   Smoke from wildfires and structural fires doesn t just irritate lungs it actually changes your immune system. Harvard scientists found that even healthy people exposed to smoke showed signs of immune system activation, genetic changes tied to allergies, and even toxic metals inside their immune cells.