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The latest science and technology fact checks and original reporting from Snopes' editorial team.
Screenshot from Instagram post of boy, Jackson Oswalt, posing in a hard hat next to his fusor, which features a radiation symbol on the front. Text below reads: "12-year-old makes world record by building nuclear reactor in bedroom, FBI & Guinness Book pays him a visit."

12-year-old boy achieved nuclear fusion from his bedroom in 2018. The FBI visited afterwards

Written by:
Emery Winter
Nov. 3, 2025 The agency swept Jackson Oswalt's home for radiation in 2018 after he became the youngest person ...
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Screenshot from Facebook post. Graphic of a bunch of little robot spiders on ice sheet with green beams radiating out the top of them. Sky has some kind of object across it and an aurora can be seen in the clouds

False robot alien spider story is invading social media

Written by:
Emery Winter
Nov. 2, 2025 A social media page that frequently posts fabricated stories about alien life shared another out ...
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Photo of man at the edge of an acid pond cratered into reddish desert surface, sky is clear and blue above

Is a new ocean forming in Africa?

Written by:
Emery Winter
Oct. 30, 2025 The African continent is gradually splitting apart. Although a new ocean is expected to form as ...
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New study showed mRNA COVID-19 vaccines help extend cancer survival?

Written by:
Anna Rascouët-Paz
Oct. 29, 2025 The study, published in the journal Nature, showed the jabs provided an immunity boost that help ...
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Screenshot of AI-generated video claimed to be of Hurricane Melissa's eye. Taken from above hurricane, full eye visible with clouds swirling around and down into the eye. A plane wing is visible in the top left and the frame of a plane window can be seen at the bottom

Video from above clouds shaped like a 'wormhole' isn't real footage of Hurricane Melissa

Written by:
Emery Winter
Oct. 28, 2025 Hurricane Melissa became the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in Jamaica when it hit th ...
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15 amazing claims about nature we've investigated

Written by:
Joey Esposito
Oct. 25, 2025 Snopes has looked into variety of strange nature facts, from turtles who breathe through their b ...
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Screenshot of image from Facebook post. Two trail cam screenshots. Top is of a pair of chimpanzees walking by wearing masks. Bottom also has two chimpanzees, one at front wearing a mask and one at back without a mask

Don't go ape for images of masked chimps said to be raiding Congo markets

Written by:
Emery Winter
Oct. 23, 2025 The fake images were nothing but monkey business.
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An image of an otter looking toward the camera and holding what appears to be kelp.

Sea otter harasses California surfers, stealing their surfboards?

Written by:
Rae Deng
Oct. 22, 2025 The outlaw otter was last spotted in May 2024. Reports in October 2025 suggest there may be copy ...
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A bald eagle appears to sit next to a goose in a nest. They both appears to be sitting on eggs.

Image of goose and bald eagle in same nest is for the birds

Written by:
Jack Izzo
Oct. 21, 2025 Bald eagles are known for many things, but sharing their nests with other species is not one of ...
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A phone is pictured on a blue flag with yellow stars. A thick white phone is around the phone.

What we know about the EU's attempt to scan private messages

Written by:
Anna Rascouët-Paz
Oct. 21, 2025 The legislation by the European Union aims to scan content for child sexual abuse material. Detr ...
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Japanese researchers developed drug that could help people grow new teeth?

Written by:
William Kramer
Oct. 19, 2025 Posts sharing the rumor claimed this drug could replace the need for implants and dentures altog ...
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WhatsApp logo on phone with white background on top of a foiled gold background

'WhatsApp Gold' scam alert: Watch out for this longstanding hoax

Written by:
Megan Loe
Oct. 16, 2025 Think twice before clicking links about an alleged premium version of WhatsApp called "WhatsApp ...
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Did humpback whale really protect marine biologist from shark?

Written by:
William Kramer
Oct. 14, 2025 Alleged footage of the encounter showed the whale pushing the bewildered marine biologist to safety.
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Screenshot of Reddit image. Top photo is anglerfish underwater from the front, with big jagged teeth and lure swimming in ocean blue water. Bottom photo is same anglerfish, black, within the palm of a hand wearing a black glove

Real palm-sized anglerfish shown in this photo?

Written by:
Emery Winter
Oct. 13, 2025 While some species of anglerfish can grow up to a few feet in length, most are much smaller. The ...
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Outdoor decorative spider webs can be threat to wildlife?

Written by:
Jack Izzo
Oct. 10, 2025 Small critters, including birds, bats and toads, can get hopelessly tangled in the artificial we ...
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Screenshot of image from Facebook post of a couple of chimpanzees carrying penguins along a path in a green jungle while three other penguins walk alongside them. There's an inset image of chimpanzees carrying penguins on a sandy beach

Real story about chimpanzees domesticating penguins?

Written by:
Emery Winter
Oct. 9, 2025 The page that posted the tale to Facebook, StoryTime, is a repeat offender of posting fictitious ...
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Does unplugging appliances when not in use prevent unnecessary electricity usage?

Written by:
William Kramer
Oct. 6, 2025 The U.S. Department of Energy says the practice could save people from "energy vampires."
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Do photos show 'scrappy stray' Chihuahua that joined wolf pack in Minnesota?

Written by:
Laerke Christensen
Oct. 5, 2025 We found the rumor was all bark, no bite.
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Scientists taught spinach plants to send emails? Not exactly

Written by:
William Kramer
Oct. 4, 2025 Don't worry — the leafy greens won't be spamming inboxes any time soon.
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An artificially generated image of a group of seals laying on top of a rectangular artificial block of ice.

Has Norway created artificial ice pods for Arctic seals to replace their vanishing habitat?

Written by:
Rae Deng
Sept. 29, 2025 This claim did not receive a seal of approval.
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