Rare-earth molycorp metals are the key to 21st Century technology: Without them, we wouldn’t have smartphones, hybrid cars or precision weapons. And China, which mines most of the world’s rare-earth metals, may be starting to catch on to their strategic value. picked by nateebiinature 3 months ago

Whilst everyone knows that exotic locations yield fabulous materials such as gold, oil and diamonds, we prefer to think a little outside of the box and so have compiled a list of some of the greatest fictional metals that you certainly won’t be able to get from any ore on the planet. picked by iamamaniac 8 months ago

A rare ghost orchid has been found growing high in an old cypress tree in a southwest Florida nature preserve. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age has been found nesting on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years, officials said Friday. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

The moon formed after a nasty planetary collision with young Earth, yet it looks odd next to its watery orbital neighbor. Turns out it really is odd: Only about one in every 10 to 20 solar systems may harbor a similar moon. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

There may never be a campaign to save the Puget Sound ratfish; no one really loves the ugly fish with rodent-like front teeth. But when a rare albino ratfish was found during a marine survey this past summer, scientists decided it was time to educate the public about the most abundant fish in local waters. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

IT MAY look more like your Christmas turkey just before it goes into the oven, but this milky white creature is actually a rare white turtle.

The creature, whose creamy colour is offset by a few hints of pink, was discovered by the bank of the Yellow River in Henan province, China. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

Researchers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have discovered a rare giant turtle in northern Vietnam _ a find that carries great scientific and cultural significance.
Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle was previously thought to be extinct in the wild. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A detailed analysis of the measurements of five different satellites has revealed the existence of warm cloak of plasma around Earth. This newfound feature is part of the magnetosphere, a shield of magnetic fields and electrically charged particles that surround and protect Earth from the onslaught of the solar wind. picked by AutumnLotus 12 months ago

A scientist with the Missouri Botanical Garden has rediscovered and identified a rare parasitic plant that hasn't been seen by botanists in more than 20 years. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

This rare albino cobra may look beautiful, but it is just as deadly as the rest of its species. The three-and-a-half foot reptile was the only one of his albino siblings to survive, and is now kept on his own in a specially constructed enclosure. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Dust off your GameCube collection and make some dough! The folks at Video Game Price Charts have posted a list of 30 rare and expensive GameCube games. Some hidden gems include NCAA College Basketball 2K3 ($400 new), Phantasy Star Online Plus ($200 new), and Digimon Rumble Arena 2 ($200 new). picked by punthe 1 year ago

A rare rat species last seen over a century ago in the mountainous northern Philippines has been rediscovered by a team of American and Filipino biologists, a report said Sunday. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A wealthy U.S. businessman with a passion for books about the Middle East was sentenced to two years in jail Friday for stealing pages from rare texts at two of Britain's most venerable libraries. picked by suebe 10 months ago

A rare gene mutation that restricts a particular growth factor may be one of the keys to living to 100 and beyond, a new study suggests.

This mutation, which seems to decrease the activity of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), results in short stature but longer life. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Some really rare and expensive things and their prices, for some strange reason, in Doubloons... picked by kamaloo 2 years ago

A rare 111-year-old New Zealand reptile with links to the age of the dinosaurs is to become a father for the first time in at least 38 years after regaining an interest in sex. picked by AfroMosHi 1 year ago

Scientists exploring one of the largest remaining blocks of tropical forest in Western Africa discovered significant populations of new, rare and threatened species underscoring the area’s high biological diversity and value. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A rare 19th-century schooner sitting upright 500 feet under the waves. picked by Bornbad 12 months ago

Roadworks in southern Greece have unearthed a rare Mycenaean grave thought to be well over 3,000 years old and containing important burial offerings including a gold chalice. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago