Why it matters: Just when you thought it was safe to enter the waters of a stone skipping contest... The annual World Stone Skimming Competition held in Scotland faced allegations of competitors grinding stones into more circular shapes than nature intended. However, the would-be cheaters crumbled before the competition and confessed with a show of hands. At the end of the day, American Jon Jennings took home the prize for skipping a stone more than 580 feet.

But wait, there's more: The ideal shape of a skipping stone -- or skimming stone -- is still up for debate. Jennings said he prefers a stone with flat edges for maximum skip. "The flat edges seem to slice through the water, where rounder edges seem to gallop through the water," Jennings said.

Why it matters: The Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society, a nongovernmental organization based in India, is helping update housing built on stilts for the modern age. The "chang ghar" structures were designed to outlast flooding, but some modern tweaks have led to longer-lasting structures. "We used the same bamboo superstructure design as before, but replaced bamboo stilts with reinforced concrete columns to give the building greater stability and load-bearing strength," said Amrit Morang, a resident of the Nikori village in India.

Why it matters: The city of New Haven, Conn., has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party, serving more than 9,000 slices to 4,525 participants at the New Haven Green. The event, organized by Taste of New Haven, surpassed the previous record of 3,357 participants set in Tulsa, Okla., in 2023. "With 4,525 pizza party participants, the love for pizza and New Haven was palpable and on clear display," Mayor Justin Elicker said. However, I feel like this was a missed opportunity for Mystic, Conn., the setting for the 1988 romantic comedy "Mystic Pizza."

Why it matters: The average first freeze in the US has shifted 11 days later since 1970, according to Climate Central, with the most significant changes occurring in the Midwest and Northeast. The shift, driven by climate change, affects agriculture, allergens and snow patterns, with fall snow declining nationwide. Reno, Nev., has seen the most dramatic change, with its first freeze now occurring 41 days later.

Why it matters: Ken Straub gets my vote for super uncle of the year. Straub is holding up a sign on the street corners of Cincinnati in a Superman costume to try and find a kidney donor for his nephew. "We are on a mission to be out here and really find some obviously super people," Straub said. If you are interested in learning more, visit the Kidney for Marc website.

Why it matters: I'm proud of my 76-year-old mom for her first book of historical fiction! "Ugarit: Tales of a Lost City" follows the collapse of a major trading outpost on the Mediterranean Sea in 1190 BC. The novel includes a hint of romance, adventure on the high seas and fascinating details of life in the Bronze Age. Not that I'm biased, of course! Check out her YouTube video for more information on the true story of Ugarit's fall.

Why it matters: In case you needed another reason to avoid moving to Siberia besides the weather, here it is! A study published in Science of the Total Environment suggests that methane explosions in Siberia are caused by a combination of thawing permafrost and geological faults. The study used computer models to show that gas and heat rising from deep underground become trapped beneath the permafrost, and as the permafrost melts, the pressure builds and eventually causes explosions.

Why it matters: Colleges and universities are increasingly allowing applicants to submit video essays to counter the rise of AI-generated written essays, with institutions like Brown University, Duke University and the University of Chicago embracing the trend. Proponents argue that video essays provide a more authentic representation of applicants. Still, critics contend that they may favor wealthy students who can afford professional production and coaching, potentially exacerbating inequities in the admissions process.

Why it matters: A study has found that humans and bees share ancient genetic roots for social behavior. By tracking honeybee actions and analyzing their genes, researchers discovered 18 genetic variants linked to social interactions, particularly food sharing. The findings, published in PLOS Biology, suggest that sociability is deeply embedded in biology, with humans and bees retaining similar genes for social behavior despite diverging over 600 million years ago.