Do aliens exist? This question has captivated people for years, yet strong evidence remains elusive. Adding to the debate, a recent Harvard University study suggests a category of extraterrestrial beings called “Cryptoterrestrials” might be living among us, possibly underground or on the Moon. The study even speculates that UFOs could be alien spacecraft visiting these hidden Earth inhabitants..  

Representative Image Source: Pexels I Photo by Cottonbro Studio
Representative Image Source: Pexels I Photo by Cottonbro Studio

The study has been authored by Tim Lomas and Brendan Case of Harvard University, alongside Michael Paul Masters of Montana University. Titled “The Cryptoterrestrial Hypothesis: A Case for Scientific Openness to a Concealed Earthly Explanation for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena,” it aims to provide an alternative and unconventional explanation for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) sightings. It suggests that these phenomena might involve non-human intelligence (NHI) already present on Earth, and stealthily coexist with us.

Representative Image Source: Pexels I Photo by Rulo Mora
Representative Image Source: Pexels I Photo by Rulo Mora

The researchers have also pointed out that UAP can move underwater in ways that defy explanation, citing data and firsthand accounts of “Unidentified Submersible Objects” (USOs) acting beyond human technological capabilities. The study noted the potential for NHI bases on the Moon and has provided reference to photographic evidence and claims by NASA whistleblowers about concealed lunar bases.


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One such example mentioned in the research sheds light on NASA whistleblowers Karl Wolfe and Ken Johnston, who have allegedly claimed that “even more conclusive photographic evidence of potential bases exists, but that NASA has actively sought to deny, suppress, and conceal such information.” 

Image Source: Dr. Ken Johnston, former Manager of the Data and Photo Control Division at NASA's Lunar Receiving Laboratory, speaks during a news conference October 30, 2007 in Washington, DC. Johnston. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Image Source: Dr. Ken Johnston, former Manager of the Data and Photo Control Division at NASA's Lunar Receiving Laboratory, speaks during a news conference on October 30, 2007, in Washington, DC. Johnston. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The research concluded the study by mentioning the possible existence of four categories of Cryptoterrestrials. They include “Human Cryptoterrestrials” – A technologically advanced ancient human civilization that largely perished due to natural calamity but part of it still exists. The next one is “Hominid or theropod cryptoterrestrials” – a group of advanced creatures consisting of some terrestrial animals that evolved to live in stealth.


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The third category talked about “Former extraterrestrial or extratempestrial cryptoterrestrials,” referring to creatures who “arrived” on Earth from elsewhere in the cosmos or the human future and have since lived stealthy lives. The fourth category is “Magical Cryptoterrestrials” – earthbound angels who could be categorized as fairies, elves, and nymphs.


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However, this research has not yet been peer-reviewed or published, hence, the credibility remains a question. “We are not arguing that UAPs do have a cryptoterrestrial explanation, but simply that they could, and the judicious approach is to consider all valid theories until the evidence decisively demonstrates they should be rejected,” the authors mentioned in the study. They added, “We, therefore, suggest scientists should keep an open mind and investigate the CTH as a genuinely viable theory.”

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Stephen Leonardi
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Stephen Leonardi

The study has freaked people out, drawing mixed reactions. @DailyLoud, a popular X account, tweeted, “Aliens might be living among us disguised as humans or in a base inside the moon, according to a new Harvard study.” With 66k likes and 9.1k bookmarks, the tweet is going viral. People have taken to the comments section to express their feelings.





Some users had a hilarious take on the subject. According to them, the aliens did this research and wrote the report. @Aku_700 commented, “What if an actual alien wrote the report?” Another user, @whiskeytailgate, commented, “If they were among us I’m guessing they would be at Harvard doing studies.” 


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The study about the possible presence of Aliens on Earth even went viral on TikTok. @cbsmornings took to the platform to post a video regarding the Harvard study. The video has gained over 51k views in a matter of days. Some users hilariously put forward their doubts regarding the anchors acting suspiciously, joking that they might be the aliens. @Bryan commented, “Sus, Bro is blinking a little too much.” Another user, @nikkiatnight2023, commented, “I can’t recall any time I’ve seen Gayle acting like this. She looks very uncomfortable with this convo.”


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  • Scottish children are helping penguins find mating partners with these tiny, painted stones
    Scottish kids are helping penguins get a date.Photo credit: Edinburgh Zoo on Instagram
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    Scottish children are helping penguins find mating partners with these tiny, painted stones

    “I would cry if a penguin picked MY pebble 😭 It’s a life goal”

    During mating season, male gentoo penguins are tasked to find pretty and smooth rocks to present to prospective mates. This is meant as a gesture to woo them and to be used to build a nest with them, too. Well, this season, the penguins at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland got some help.

    Kids being supported by the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity gathered together to paint pebbles with vibrant colors for the penguins. The hospitalized children do this every year with the first stone traditionally placed in the penguin enclosure. The children often watch a livestream of the gentoo penguin enclosure to see the penguin pick their favorite rocks that they’ve painted.

    Commenters sound off on the penguins’ pebbling

    The Edinburgh Zoo posted this year’s pebbling pickings on Instagram, delighting the commenters:

    “I would cry if a penguin picked MY pebble 😭 It’s a life goal lol.”

    “This is just brilliant! How wonderful to see a creative health initiative that actively connects the children with a purpose like this!”

    “This is heartwarming ❤️❤️❤️”

    “This is brilliant for the penguins and the children! Can’t wait to see the beautiful nests.”

    “My grandson painted a pebble he’s hoping it gets picked.🤞🤞🤞”

    “Penguin pebble pilfering season is upon us! So pleased it makes so many people (and penguins) happy.”

     “Oh no, now I’m questioning if penguins have favourite colours.”

    “Any that aren’t picked would make an awesome rock garden that kids visiting the zoo could pick from!!”

    “This is the cutest thing I have seen probably ever.”

    Pebbling practices for human relationships

    As mentioned, this mating ritual called “pebbling” is a gesture made by male penguins to their mate to not just build a nest. It’s their version of saying, “I saw this and I thought of you.” In fact, psychologists and couples therapists recommend adopting a version of pebbling for human relationships.

    Now to “pebble” in dating or married relationships doesn’t literally mean giving your partner rocks (unless they’re a geologist that would love that sort of thing). For humans, pebbling your partner means to share or give a small gift like a flower, toy, or object that has some meaning to one or both of you. It doesn’t always have to be a gift either, but it could be a photo, social media post, or a meme you can text them. It’s essentially anything that conveys “I saw this and thought of you” in order to showcase affection to them and initiate closer conversations.

    Pebbling isn’t just for romantic couples either. Many autistic people find it more difficult to navigate socially due to high anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or having trouble interpreting social cues. By texting a GIF to a friend, giving a small flower to their parent during a walk, or other such pebbling, it allows some autistic people the ability to communicate their affection and connection without the pressure of using words.

    Whether it’s a colorful rock or something else, pebbling can be a valid form of communication between friends, partners, or potential mates. It all depends on who you choose to build a nest with.

  • Scientists have created a leather clothing alternative made entirely from mushrooms that looks and feels like the real thing
    Left: Mushrooms. Right: A model dressed in a leather jacket.Photo credit: Canva

    Austria’s scientists have created a leather made from mycelium. Growing mushrooms in low-oxygen chambers allows researchers to craft an alternative material that feels and looks like traditional leather. The finished textile is strong, flexible, and even fire-resistant.

    Manufacturers grow the material instead of harvesting it from animals. After it reaches the desired thickness, they apply non-toxic enzymes to keep it fully biodegradable. The vegetative part of the fungus grows into a dense mat over a matter of days. Above all, it avoids the environmental impact of traditional leather production.

    Alternative leather made from mushrooms

    This is not science fiction; fungal fabric has grown from a curiosity into reality. A 2025 report listed the benefits of mushroom leather as having a lower carbon footprint. It begins with a substantial reduction in water use. Growing mushrooms, compared to raising cattle, requires a fraction of the water.

    Secondly, the product breaks down naturally without microplastic contamination. Using enzymes that cross-link the fibers results in a material free of blended toxic materials.

    Moreover, by creating the right environment—a low-oxygen chamber with a nutrient-rich substrate—the mushroom mat can be grown in a matter of days.

    Lastly, mushroom leather is naturally fire-resistant. There’s no need for harmful chemicals to treat the textile. In addition, clean up requires mild soap and lukewarm water.

    A 2026 study in ScienceDirect confirmed the fungal mycelium as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional and synthetic leathers. It demonstrates structural integrity and favorable thermal stability.

    fungus, clothing materials,  environment, biodegradable, non-flammable, dense mat
    Mushroom leather.
    Photo credit: ThamaraGroenleer/ Wikimedia Commons

    Is the public ready for vegan leather?

    People have conflicting thoughts, as seen in the comments on the Instagram post. Some individuals are excited and encouraged by the possibilities. Others, however, are less impressed:

    “I’m ready for it. How do we buy it?”

    “Make it affordable and common!”

    “As long as the final product keeps being painted and coated with chemicals, the purpose of the product is merely green washing.”

    “bio degradable? sorry your shoes were eaten by mold after the rain.”

    “Where we can buy this leather?”

    “Unless we’re talking about aprons/gloves for welders or blacksmiths (which is a fairly niche market), flammability isn’t something most people that wear leather are concerned about.”

    fashion, sustainable materials, clothing, vegan leather, eco-friendly
    Materials and scissors.
    Photo credit: Canva

    Fashion looks for sustainable, yet affordable materials

    Fashion leaders are looking to incorporate more sustainable fabrics into their creations. A 2025 post on Open Forem explored material choices for leading industry fashion designers in 2025. For example, more familiar textiles like polyester, organic cotton, and wool made their traditional rounds. But there was an effort to use plant-based leathers, too.

    Mushroom mycelium leather was a hot choice for its low environmental impact, its short creation time, and its customizable texture and thickness.

    Other exotic materials included banana fibers, seaweed-based fabrics, and Piñatex, a natural, low-impact textile made from pineapple leaf fibre. Designers fashion the plant-based material into vegan handbags, shoes, and wallets.

    A 2026 article in Vogue revealed that Gucci seeks more sustainable ways to produce leather products. The luxury brand began a campaign for vegan alternative leather back in 2021.

    Despite commercial adoption remaining somewhat limited, mushroom leather continues to attract attention for its eco-friendly production and versatility. Grown on agricultural waste while remaining fully biodegradable are cornerstones of this remarkable material.

    You can watch this TED Talk on fashion made from mushrooms:

  • Scientists create environmentally friendly plastic replacement from shrimp shells
    Shrimp shells could become our new plastic.Photo credit: Canva

    Plastic waste has been a growing global issue for years. The United Nations Environment Programme says that 19 to 23 million metric tonnes of plastic waste leaks into lakes, rivers, and oceans each year. Given the threat microplastics pose to animal and human health, efforts to find green replacements have intensified—and they’re working. Scientists from Singapore and Spain have found a strong, potentially viable replacement for plastic made from shrimp shells.

    A research team based at the Singapore University of Technology and Design and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia in Barcelona has made a biodegradable plastic alternative out of chitosan. Chitosan is a compound created by combining shrimp shells with trace amounts of nickel. It contains a structural molecule found in the shells of crustaceans and insect exoskeletons. Usually discarded as a waste byproduct of shrimp and crab processing, chitosan is commonly produced during seafood preparation and commercial fishing.

    The issue with chitosan, though, was that it weakens and dissolves in water. That is, until recently.

    How chitosan got stronger

    Dissolving chitosan flakes into a weak acetic solution and mixing them with dissolved nickel chloride and water produced surprising results. Scientists then poured the mixture into molds to dry. The process yields a thin, green-tinted film with the strength of commonly used plastics like polypropylene. Even better, when submerged in water, the film grows 50% stronger. This increased durability matches the characteristics of polycarbonate and PETG, plastics commonly used in commercial single-use water bottles.

    Researchers then stress-tested the chitosan material by molding it into cups and containers. They were able to confirm it could hold water without leaks. In terms of biodegradability, the chitosan material reached its half-life in four months in a standard soil burial test. By contrast, most commercial plastics can take centuries to decompose under similar conditions.

    Researchers found that this is not only a better biodegradable plastic alternative, but also one that produces zero waste during creation. When the chitosan/nickel film is submerged, about 87% of the nickel washes out. That wash water can then be reused again and again from one batch of chitosan to the next. According to the researchers, the nickel content of a single AAA battery would provide enough nickel to manufacture more than a dozen chitosan drinking cups.

    The potential future

    Rigorous testing to assess the material’s limits for medical use and consumption still needs to be done. That said, the Food and Drug Administration has already approved products containing chitosan and nickel individually in the past. Barring any troubling research about their combined safety, the outlook is quite positive for future use.

    Hopefully, seafood and battery waste can be reduced, helping lower plastic waste in a three-way win for the environment.

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