Holly Large
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jr copy editor & staff writer @iflscience • partial to a hobnob or three • views are my own
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Articles by Holly Large
In 1964, The CIA Attached Microphones To Cats And Tried To Train Them To Eavesdrop On Their Enemies. It Didn't Quite Go To Plan
I recently became the owner of a puppy. Is he wonderful? Yes, very. Would I trust him with information upon which the fate of the world rested? Absolutely not. But, with a bit of training, could I? Is it possible to train animals as secret agents, or masters in the art of espionage? And has anyone ever tried – and succeeded? Also being the servant of two cats, I already had my doubts before researching for this story that our feline friends are capable of such deeds.
So You've Decided To Clone Your Pet For $50,000. Will You Get The Exact Same Animal Back?
Pets, as energetic and youthful as they might sometimes seem, sadly don’t live forever. But what if we could give them immortality? Not in the traditional sense – that’s still far beyond current science – but in a more roundabout way. One that requires time, money, and maybe even a suspension of your moral beliefs: cloning.
The Geologically And Physically Impossible Tale Of Mel's Hole Began On February 21, 1997
Mel rang into the show and captivated the country with a tale of an odd hole at his old home with some very unusual properties. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
Supergiant Deep-Sea Isopods Enjoy A Whale Fall Feast, Then Survive For Over 5 Years Without Eating. How?
A special famine rages at the supergiant isopod feast. Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
415-Million-Year-Old Fossils Confirm The World’s Largest Scorpion Was A Meter-Long Apex Predator That May Have Hunted On Land And Underwater
Primitive swamps and towering fungi with meter-long scorpions paddling around. Devonian England was a strange place. Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
Shiny Clouds, A Cosmic Kiss, And An Unpredictable Meteor Shower: Here’s Why You Should Keep Your Eyes To The Skies This June
June is an excellent month for celestial events, and if you are in the mid-to-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, things are even better as the nights are mild. So, get out there and look at the sky: no telescope necessary! The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content. From asterisms to planetary conjunctions, June is truly a lovely month for space observation.
First-Of-Its-Kind Organ Transplant Sees Whole Liver And Both Kidneys Successfully Moved From Pig To Human
The successful surgery in a deceased recipient provides a foundation for future procedures in living people. Laura Simmons Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a Bachelor's in Biology from Imperial College London. Her areas of expertise include health, medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Health & Medicine Editor Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a Bachelor's in Biology from Imperial College London.
Why Do Some Zoos Smell Like Someone’s Smoking Weed? Just Ask The "Skunk Wolf"
Smells like someone’s smoking weed? Urine maned wolf country, friend. Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
The Sun Has A "Heartbeat" And It Might Affect Earth More Than We Thought
Its magnetic activity might be shifting into shallower layers, and that could have consequences for space weather and our planet. Dr. Alfredo Carpineti Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.
“One Of The World’s Most Mysterious Predators” Gets A Landmark Study, Revealing Unprecedented Inter-Ocean Movements Spanning 4,400 Kilometers
Would you cross oceans to follow your favorite food? Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
NASA’s X59 Quiet Supersonic Plane Is About To Perform Its First Ever Supersonic Flight Test
You get the speed without getting the bang! Dr. Alfredo Carpineti Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London. Space & Physics Editor Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.View full profile Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.
Lengui The One-Handed Gorilla Has Come Back From The Brink Of Death Twice. Now, She’s Defied The Odds Again By Giving Birth In The Wild
It’s always good news when a baby gorilla is born, but an adorable new addition to the gang at the Lésio-Louna reserve in the Congo has brought particular cause for celebration – and that’s all down to its mom, Lengui, whose life story is a rollercoaster tale of survival against the odds. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.
Tick Bites Sent A Record Number Of People To The ER In The US In April, CDC Data Shows
April 2026 saw more emergency room visits for tick bites than any April since the CDC started surveilance in 2017. Tom Leslie Tom has a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Oxford and his interests range from immunology and microscopy to the philosophy of science.
In 1997-98, The Most Disastrous El Niño On Record Cost The World $5.7 Trillion And Killed Thousands
Could 2026 see something similar? Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.
Is Fantasizing About Others During Sex A Sign That Your Relationship Is In Trouble? New Research Says It's More Common Than You Might Imagine
A new study found out who people thought about during sexual activity with and without their partner, and whether it was tied to relationship satisfaction. After the initial shock, it's more reassuring than you might think. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.
How Did Ancient Humans Make Their Beds? 200,000-Year-Old Grass Found In An Iconic Cave Just Revealed The Answer
For hundreds of millennia, these hunter-gatherers used fire to manage their sleeping spaces. Benjamin Taub Benjamin holds a Master's degree in anthropology from University College London and has previously worked in the fields of psychedelic neuroscience and mental health.
The World’s Last True Wild Horse Species Just Welcomed An Adorable New Foal In Major Conservation Win
The young horse has been described as a "playful" character. Holly Large Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics. Copy Editor & Staff Writer Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester.
New Blood Test Could Identify Stage Of Alzheimer’s Disease Just As Accurately As Expensive Scans
Testing levels of two different biomarkers in blood plasma can be as accurate as a costly and complex scan when determining the stage of Alzheimer’s disease. This is not so much about knowing who has Alzheimer’s and who doesn’t – it’s about figuring out how far it has progressed, and crucially who might therefore be a good candidate for treatments and clinical trials. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.
Mind-Bending Game Explores What Would Happen If The Speed Of Light Was Far Slower
If the speed of light were much slower, a lot of very odd effects, from redshift to time dilation, would be a lot more noticable. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
Denisovan DNA From 3 Distinct Populations Found In Modern Humans, Revealing Hidden Complexity In How Ancient Hominins Interacted With Our Ancestors
Some of these genes may influence hair shape in certain groups of people. Benjamin Taub Benjamin holds a Master's degree in anthropology from University College London and has previously worked in the fields of psychedelic neuroscience and mental health.
Ebola Vaccines: Where Are We, As Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Heads Towards 1,000 Suspected Cases?
With suspected cases hitting 900 and 220 suspected deaths so far, the Ebola disease outbreak currently hitting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is at the forefront of the minds of health authorities the world over. Steps are being taken to bring the situation under control, and you might assume that includes vaccination. It’s true we do have Ebola vaccines – but this outbreak is being driven by a rarer species of the virus, and that’s where the complications begin.
Neanderthals And The "Cult Of The Sun Bird": Were Golden Eagles Worshipped By Our Ancient Relatives?
Neanderthals were oddly obsessed with golden eagles, much more so than any other animal. They went to great lengths to hunt them, crafting personal ornaments from their talons and adorning themselves with their feathers. Could this point to something like a "cult of the Sun Bird?" The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content. It’s a wild idea, but perhaps not as unimaginable as you might think.
Scientists Gave Belugas A Mirror To See How They Behaved. What Happened Next Suggests These Animals Have A “Sense Of Self”
“These findings show that belugas demonstrate a high level of self-awareness." Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
Orcas Munching On Moose, Fishing Wolves, And Bloodthirsty Ground Squirrels: 3 Times Animals Ate In Ways We Didn’t Expect
Just when we think we’ve got something of a grip on our animal knowledge, we come across a new piece of information that throws us for a loop. Sometimes it’s their bizarre toilet habits, other times it’s the unconventional ways they travel, but some of the most interesting ways we’ve been surprised have been to do with what animals end up snacking on. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content. Orcas vs.
For The First Time, The Zwan-Wolf Effect Has Been Seen On Another World, 200 Kilometers Deep In The Martian Atmosphere
It’s not as powerful a deflector of the solar wind as Earth’s, but Mars can still reshape solar plasma. Stephen Luntz Stephen has degrees in science (Physics major) and arts (English Literature and the History and Philosophy of Science), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication.
“Truly A Match Made In Deep-Sea Heaven”: Worm That Lives In A Glass Castle Among 1,121 New Marine Species Discovered In The Last Year
The huge leap announced by Ocean Census marks a 54 percent increase in annual species identification. Rachael Funnell Rachael has a degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, and specializes in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment.
“Happy-Face” Spiders Were Thought Only To Exist In Hawaii. Now, A New Species Has Been Discovered 12,000 Kilometers Away
Scientists weren’t expecting to find them in the Himalayas. Holly Large Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics. Editor & Staff Writer Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics.View full profile Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester.
Far From Boosting Brain Health, Taking Omega-3 Could Actually Speed Up Dementia In Older People
New research suggests that not everyone may benefit from omega-3 supplements. Laura Simmons Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a Bachelor's in Biology from Imperial College London. Her areas of expertise include health, medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Health & Medicine Editor Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a Bachelor's in Biology from Imperial College London.
First-Of-Its-Kind “Deep Profiling” Reveals That Where You Live May Impact How Quickly You Age
Scientists conducted molecular profiling on 322 people from three continents, revealing that ethnicity and geography influence biological aging and disease risk. Dr. Russell Moul Russell has a PhD in the history of medicine, violence, and colonialism. His research has explored topics including ethics, science governance, and medical involvement in violent contexts. Science Writer Russell has a PhD in the history of medicine, violence, and colonialism.
Amazingly Preserved 100-Million-Year-Old Bug Trapped In Amber Has Rare Crab-Like Claws
And the way its unusual pincers have been preserved has inspired the newly-discovered species' K-pop-themed name. Eleanor Higgs Eleanor has an undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Reading and a master’s in wildlife documentary production from the University of Salford.
The First Fish To Crawl Out Of The Sea? A 380-Million-Year-Old Fossil Helps Explain Origins Of Land Animals
Fish like this walked out of the water one day, and now we have to go to work and pay rent. Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism.
The Loudest Sound Recorded On Earth Clocked In At Around 310 Decibels, And Could Be Heard 4,800 Kilometers Away
For context, that's around 50 quintillion times louder than the loudest human fart on record. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
Trouble Getting To Sleep? Some Japanese People Swear By The "Cockroach Exercise"
You've got little to lose (besides maybe your dignity). Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism.
260 Giant Monuments Found In Sahara Desert, Where A Dangerous New Gold Rush Is Heating Up
Who built these grand structures 5,000 years ago? Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism.
Pollution From Megaconstellation Launches Is Changing The Atmosphere, Causing “A Climate Effect That's A Little Bit Like Geoengineering”
A new study shows rapidly accumulating pollution in the higher atmosphere as a result of so many space launches. Dr. Alfredo Carpineti Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.
We May Have Called Time Of Death On The Venus Probes Too Early. 7 Of Them Might Have Survived
Scientists assumed that the probes which landed on Venus would be destroyed by the extreme heat and atmospheric pressure. But seven of them may have survived to this day. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
In 1844, The Last Pair Of Great Auks Died – And Humans Were To Blame For Their Extinction
These flightless birds resembled modern day penguins, but were wiped out in the 1800s. Eleanor Higgs Eleanor has an undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Reading and a master’s in wildlife documentary production from the University of Salford.
These Are The Most Common Dreams Humanity Has, According To What We've Been Googling
Reassuringly, the teeth dream is quite common. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
“This Wasn't Really Something We Were Expecting To Be Able To Do”: Black Hole Collisions Can Now Be Used To “Autotune” Gravitational Wave Detectors
Sometimes you need a hammer, sometimes you need a screwdriver, sometimes you need two black holes many times the mass of the Sun. Dr. Alfredo Carpineti Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.
With El Niño Brewing, 2026 Could See The Most Extreme Weather In Modern History
This year could be one for the history books. Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism.
The Euphrates River, Linked To Biblical Prophecies Of Armageddon, Appears To Be Drying Up
According to the Book of Revelation, Armageddon is preceded by the Euphrates drying up. But back then, it would have felt a lot more apocalyptic than today. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
How Did Giant Dinosaur Footprints End Up On The Ceiling Of A Cave?
How'd they get up there? Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.
This Is The Weird Reason Why ChatGPT Won't Mention Goblins Unless It's Really, Really Necessary
The AI system went full "goblin mode." Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.
Ultramassive Black Hole Pair Might Be The Biggest Ever Found, And They’ve Carved Out The Center Of An Enormous Galaxy
JWST observations reveal a peculiar galaxy with a huge cavity where stars should be. Dr. Alfredo Carpineti Alfredo has a PhD in Astrophysics and a Master's in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces from Imperial College London.
Once A Cheater, Always A Cheater? A Study Of Over 400 People Has Answers About Serial Infidelity
The trend seems to go both ways. Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.
How Many People Have Lived And Died On Earth So Far? Probably Far More Than You Think
There's an idea that the number of people living on Earth right now is greater than the number of the dead. It's way off. James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
Move Aside Animals – Some Places In The US Have Official State Microbes
Because the little things matter too. Holly Large Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics. Editor & Staff Writer Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester. Her scientific interests include genomics, personalized medicine, and bioethics.View full profile Holly has a degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leicester.
New Plate Boundary Could Be Forming In Southern Africa As A Rift Breaks Through The Earth’s Crust
As Africa breaks up, it’s possible the southern part will make its departure before the east. Stephen Luntz Stephen has degrees in science (Physics major) and arts (English Literature and the History and Philosophy of Science), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication.
What Is Behind The Strange Decline Of Serial Killers Since The 1980s?
From a peak of activity in the 1980s, serial killers have been (thankfully) on the decline. But what is behind the drop? James Felton James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary. Senior Staff Writer James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name.
Scientists Put A Dead Salmon Inside An fMRI Scanner And Watched Its Brain Activity – Then Something Very Strange Happened
Must have been a red herring. Tom Hale Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Senior Journalist Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.
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