It’s not often that an octopus is described as cute or whimsical. But dumbo octopuses have a certain squishy charm about them. With their large eyes and prominent, ear-like fins, they resemble the floppy-eared Disney elephant. But there is more to these elusive octopuses than just their adorable appearance.

With their leggy strides and long, eyelash-like feathers, they are the supermodels of the bird world. Native to savannahs and grasslands in sub-Saharan Africa, secretary birds are the one and only members of their family (Sagittariidae). Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis leveraged their unique charisma to touching effect in the 2024 animated movie Flow, but these birds are more than just pretty faces.

Spring has arrived and the flowers are starting to bloom. ‘Tis the season for a certain long-eared mammal to hop its way into the spotlight. No, not the Easter Bunny. It’s time to celebrate the bilby!

Read on to discover what makes these critters unique and why some Australians are pushing for the bilby to replace the bunny as a symbol of Easter.

Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital recently demonstrated the benefits of a virtual reality (VR) game during potentially painful procedures in different clinical settings. Providers and patients reported positive feedback to the intervention, suggesting that VR could be implemented more broadly to help manage pediatric pain and anxiety around medical procedures.

Read the story here: Managing the Pain of Medical Procedures with Virtual Reality.

Check out some of my favorite science stories from last month, including pieces on cuttlefish camouflage, narwhal tusks, and the cocktail party problem in bats.