Welcome to the Sloth Institute, a home for wayward baby sloths.

These sloths didn't have mothers, so this woman became their human substitute.

A sloth’s desire to cling to trees, other sloths, and people might seem adorable, but it’s actually the only way they can survive infancy.

Kermie the Sloth. All photos from Sam Trull, used with permission.

Keep Reading
animals nature conservation biology costa rica wild animals wildlife sloths animal rehabilitation reintroduction to wild the sloth institute sam trull wildlife rehabilitation
Most Shared

An accident resulted in a plastic-eating mutant that just might save us all.

Plastic has been taking over our world for a while now.

You may not think too much about it, but plastic is a global crisis. A recent rundown in The National Review reveals that more than 8 million tons of plastic is regularly deposited in the ocean. It's killing sea life, endangering coral reefs, and affecting the fish we eat because of the toxins they ingest.

So much for a happy, carefree day, right?

Keep Reading
environment recycling pet biology chemistry plastics enzymes polyethylene terephthalate mutant enzymes mutations science for good petase
Heroes

How human beings could ruin mosquito sex in Fresno, California.

It's summer. Time for backyard barbecues, hikes, and enough mosquito spray to fill a blimp.

I'm ready for that hike now. Image from iStock.

Mosquitoes can be a perennial annoyance, a literal pain in the butt, and can even carry dangerous diseases like the Zika virus or dengue.

Keep Reading
research science california biology mosquitoes fresno sterile insect technique insect control
Family

Game-changing genetic editing just let one teenager 'dodge' sickle cell disease.

Chalk up another big potential win for science – it just helped one kid avoid some of the devastating effects of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is a chronic, genetic blood disorder that affects about 100,000 Americans. It can affect anyone, although it disproportionately occurs in African-Americans. It’s manageable with medicine and proper care, but can still be dangerous and extremely painful. It's a lifelong condition.

Or, maybe not. Because that last part — about it being a lifelong condition – might be changing.

Keep Reading
science medicine biology genetics sickle cell sickle cell disease blood disorders genetic code new england journal of medicine
Heroes