This Man Is a Fantastic Human Being

His name is Simon Cowell, but he's my preferred Simon Cowell and not the more famous one.  You should check out the whole YouTube playlist of his foundation's animal rescues, but here's one that summarizes how amazing he and the other workers at the Wildlife Aid Foundation are.  

Aphids Are Born Pregnant (Unless They're Not Born At All...)

Did you know that most aphids are born pregnant?  I was thinking about this odd fact since my sempervivum collection (colloquially known as Hen and Chicks) had an aphid infestation due in part to the unusually wet late spring here in Kansas.  Luckily, neem oil has so far discouraged the little ladies from successfully hatching their next two generations.  Below is a close-up of one the several sempervivum species I'm keeping in a rail planter on my porch.

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Animals Now Recognized as Sentient under New Zealand Law

Well done, New Zealand.

First Fully Warm-Blooded Fish Identified!

This is cool:

"The opah, or moonfish, is the first known fully warm-blooded fish, according to a study published in the journal Science.
...
Certain other fish, such as some sharks and tuna, have what’s known as 'regional endothermy,' or limited warm-bloodedness. It allows them to stay active in colder depths, as well as shallower waters. But the fully warm-blooded opah are unlike all other fish, at least so far as we know it."