{"id":111140,"date":"2025-12-25T13:50:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T13:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorersweb.com\/?p=111140"},"modified":"2025-12-25T13:50:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T13:50:40","slug":"explorerswebs-top-five-science-stories-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorersweb.com\/explorerswebs-top-five-science-stories-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"ExplorersWeb’s Top Five Science Stories of 2025\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

At ExplorersWeb, we focus on expeditions to the wild corners of our planet, but we also cover what you might call adventure science — the archaeology, space, and natural history discoveries that pique the curiosity of most of us who spend time outdoors. <\/span>We now know that moss can survive months strapped to the outside of the International Space Station and that Easter <\/span>Island\u2019s<\/span> stone statues really did<\/span> \u201c<\/span>walk<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers have invented bite-resistant wetsuits and a hiking robot that may soon transform search-and-rescue missions. One man deliberately let snakes bite him hundreds of times to help create a near-universal antivenom. <\/span>We’ve<\/span> discovered the oldest known black hole in the universe, and even caught killer whales kissing on camera.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are ExplorersWeb’s five most popular science stories of 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Sea’ lions<\/h2>\n

Namibian Lions Take Up Seal Hunting:<\/strong><\/a> Lions along <\/span>Namibia\u2019s<\/span> Skeleton Coast are showcasing their adaptability by returning to maritime hunting. They are the only lions in the world <\/span>that regularly hunt seals and seabirds<\/span>. <\/span>In the mid-20th century, <\/span>the<\/span> Namibian lions used to roam these beaches until humans forced them inland<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last 20 years, a small group of these desert-adapted lions has returned to the water’s edge. Initially, they continued to hunt on land, but three young lionesses soon rediscovered their <\/span>ancestors’<\/span> maritime hunting techniques. Now, 80% of the <\/span>population’s<\/span> diet comes from the sea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jane

Photo: Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

Farewell to a titan<\/h2>\n

Jane Goodall Dies\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>at 91<\/strong><\/a>: In October, world-renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91, <\/span>peacefully in her sleep while on a speaking tour in California.<\/span> Goodall revolutionized the study of animal behavior with her field research on chimpanzees at <\/span>Tanzania\u2019s<\/span> Gombe Stream National Park. <\/span><\/p>\n

She threw out the <\/span>rule book<\/span> and saw the chimpanzees as individuals. Goodall <\/span>gave<\/span> them names and <\/span>followed<\/span> them for decades.<\/span> She observed them using tools, witnessed their social relationships, and realized that they showed emotions previously associated only with humans.