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'Cinco' is on the move again. Meet all 5 jaguars spotted in Arizona

'Cinco' is on the move again. Meet all 5 jaguars spotted in Arizona

Trail cameras captured the clearest images yet of Cinco the jaguar. He's one of five jaguars known to have roamed Arizona in the last 15 years.

Warmer Temperatures May Delay Peak Foliage in Southern New England

Warmer Temperatures May Delay Peak Foliage in Southern New England

The fall foliage season in the northeastern United States is expected to be vibrant this year, but warmer-than-average temperatures could delay the peak colors by one to two weeks. Typically, northern New England sees peak foliage by early October, while central and southern regions experience it by mid-to-late October. However, above-average temperatures, which have persisted throughout the summer and into September, are slowing the breakdown of chlorophyll in leaves, keeping them green longer. Additionally, a calm summer and fall, with minimal wind storms or hurricanes, have allowed leaves to remain on trees, potentially leading to a more colorful season overall. The strong El Niño conditions have also contributed to reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic, further preserving foliage across the region.

Danforth Plant Science Center Co-Authors Study Rewriting Early History of Grasses

Danforth Plant Science Center Co-Authors Study Rewriting Early History of Grasses

An international team of scientists, including Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Member Emerita Elizabeth “Toby” Kellogg, PhD, has published a study in Nature Communications that provides a new understanding of the earliest evolution of grasses. The research involved producing a chromosome-level genome assembly of *Streptochaeta spicata*, a tropical grass whose lineage branched off near the base of the grass family tree. This pivotal position offers researchers an exceptionally clear view into the genome of the common ancestor of all living grasses. Grasses are the world's most economically important plant family, encompassing major food crops like rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, and sugarcane. By comparing the *Streptochaeta* genome with others across the grass family, the team uncovered new evidence about ancient genetic events that shaped all living grasses, offering a clearer picture of their evolution and diversification. Dr. Kellogg noted that all grasses bear the footprint of a time when the...

Mountain lion seen in San Francisco likely traveled from South Bay

Mountain lion seen in San Francisco likely traveled from South Bay

The CDFW thinks he animal likely came through from the Bay Area's southern region in an attempt to establish its own territory.

South Dakota State University Study Advises Against Building Soil Phosphorus in High-pH Fields for Corn and Soybeans

South Dakota State University Study Advises Against Building Soil Phosphorus in High-pH Fields for Corn and Soybeans

South Dakota State University Study Advises Against Building Soil Phosphorus in High-pH Fields for Corn and Soybeans

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

When does fall start? 2026 equinox brings shorter days to Florida

When does fall start? 2026 equinox brings shorter days to Florida

The 2026 fall equinox arrives at 8:05 p.m. ET on Sept. 22. Here's how daylight hours are changing in Florida.

White Shark Sighting Reported Off Wells Beach, Maine, Amid Increased Regional Activity

White Shark Sighting Reported Off Wells Beach, Maine, Amid Increased Regional Activity

A white shark was sighted approximately 200 yards off Wells Beach in Maine on Monday. This incident follows a recent surge in white shark activity along Maine's southern coast, with nearly 30 sightings reported in Maine waters over the past month, though the exact number of unique sharks is unclear. Officials at Wells Beach had previously used drones to monitor waters after a 10-foot juvenile white shark was seen within 500 yards of the beach on August 12. Lifeguards at Scarborough Beach, another location experiencing increased shark activity, have also employed jetskis to deter sharks. The Sharktivity app, maintained by researchers from the New England Aquarium and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, has been tracking these reports. Wells Beach remained open despite the sighting, though fire officials advised caution due to a lack of lifeguards on Labor Day.

New Hampshire Fall Foliage Map 2026: Track Peak Colors

New Hampshire Fall Foliage Map 2026: Track Peak Colors

New Hampshire's 2026 fall foliage season is underway, with an interactive map available to track the progression of autumn colors across the state. The map provides daily updates on foliage conditions, highlighting areas where colors are building, peaking, or past their prime. The state's diverse terrain, including the White Mountains, Lakes Region, Monadnock Region, and southern valleys, creates significant variations in foliage timing. Higher elevations, such as Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch, and Mount Washington, are expected to see color changes earlier than lower areas like Lake Winnipesaukee and the Merrimack Valley. The map is a valuable tool for planning trips to enjoy the vibrant fall scenery.

El Niño Strengthens, Poised to Become Strongest on Record

El Niño Strengthens, Poised to Become Strongest on Record

El Niño is intensifying across the tropical Pacific, with forecasters predicting it could reach exceptional strength and influence global weather patterns through winter 2026-2027. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center estimates a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during fall and winter, while the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts nearly 100% likelihood of El Niño persisting through February 2027. AccuWeather suggests this event may become the strongest El Niño since reliable records began in 1950. Typical effects include stormier weather in the southern U.S., drier conditions in northern areas, and altered hurricane activity. However, impacts vary by region and season, and other climate drivers may modify outcomes.

Amaryllis Bulbs Require September Dormancy for Guaranteed Christmas Blooms

Amaryllis Bulbs Require September Dormancy for Guaranteed Christmas Blooms

Amaryllis Bulbs Require September Dormancy for Guaranteed Christmas Blooms

Rare Mexican Bat Species Discovered in Omaha Office Building, Marking First Documented Appearance in Nebraska

Rare Mexican Bat Species Discovered in Omaha Office Building, Marking First Documented Appearance in Nebraska

Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, a wildlife rescue service based in Omaha, has announced the discovery of a bat species previously undocumented in Nebraska. The bat, identified as a female cave myotis, was found on the floor of an Omaha office building. Individuals who located the bat contacted the Nebraska Humane Society Animal Control, which then transported the animal to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab. Cave myotis bats are native to the western and southwestern United States and extend into Mexico. This finding represents the first recorded instance of this particular species in the state of Nebraska. Wildlife officials suspect the bat may have traveled to Nebraska by stowing away in a shipment, car, or freight.

Utah Bone Fragment Reveals High Cesium Levels, Prompting New Nuclear Test Harm Research

Utah Bone Fragment Reveals High Cesium Levels, Prompting New Nuclear Test Harm Research

A bone fragment from Bonnie Despain, who died at 81 from ALS, was found to contain an extraordinary level of radioactive cesium. This discovery was made by Salt Lake City visual artist Cara Despain, her daughter, who sent the sample for testing to Aaron Specht, a Purdue University professor specializing in radiation safety. Bonnie Despain spent her childhood in Newcastle, Utah, approximately 130 miles from the Nevada Test Site, where the U.S. conducted 100 aboveground nuclear tests in the postwar years. Individuals exposed to the fallout from these tests are known as 'downwinders.' The high cesium level, a byproduct of nuclear fission and highly toxic, has prompted a new study by the University of Utah. This research aims to investigate the long-term effects of radiation exposure and its potential links to health conditions beyond the commonly recognized cancers.