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By Taylor Nicioli, CNN

(CNN) — Contrary to popular depictions of bee nests as large, intricate hives that hang from trees, the majority of bee species — about 90% — are actually solitary and build their nests in the ground or within rotting logs and the stems of plants.

But researchers recently discovered what is perhaps one of the most peculiar nesting spots: Inside a limestone cave on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, a hoard of fossilized bones — some from now-extinct animals — was home to tiny ancient bee nests built within the empty tooth sockets. It is the first time bees have been recorded using bones to nest and lay eggs, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

“It was very surprising, because you never find invertebrates there — you find snails, but you don’t find insects,” said lead author Lázaro Viñola-López, a postdoctoral researcher at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. “Usually what you find in this cave are rodents, birds, like all that fauna. So, finding evidence of ancient bees in those cave deposits was very exciting. The first time we have that in the Caribbean.”

The findings help to fill a gap in the fossil record since all other bee fossils described in the Caribbean were discovered within amber and are much older, dating back around 20 million years, Viñola-López explained.

The study authors believe that fossils housing the bee nests date back to around 20,000 years ago and could shed light on how bees have adapted to their environment, even in the ancient past.

“There’s very little known about the ecology of many of the bees on these islands,” Viñola-López said. “This shows that the diversity of nesting processes of bees is actually really big and sometimes expands past what we think is normal. … It also tells that we have to, when we prepare specimens, look closer for all the things that can get preserved inside these ones, which can show very strange behaviors of species that we think that we understand relatively well.”

A fossil within a fossil

Viñola-López was exploring the cave with colleagues in the summer of 2022, looking for specimens to study for his doctoral program at the University of Florida and the Florida Museum of Natural History. The cave itself holds a story, as it contains layer upon layer of fossils from more than 50 species, including rodents, birds and reptiles.

The study authors believe a family of barn owls once lived in the cave and coughed up the bones of their prey, which eventually fossilized. The owls might have remained in the cave for generations, resulting in the accumulation of thousands of fossils. Other species, such as tortoises and crocodiles, could have fallen into the cave — which has an about 8-meter drop at its entrance — and eventually died when they could not climb back out. The environment, protected from the outside weather, served to preserve the specimens further.

But when Viñola-López took a closer look at the fossils, he noticed something odd — dirt lining the insides of the tooth sockets reminded him of how wasps might build their cocoons.

After performing CT scans, X-ray technology that creates detailed 3D imaging, the authors were able to determine that the small nests were made of mud and belonged to a bee. While wasp nests are made from a mix of saliva and chewed plant fibers, the nests from the cave were smooth on the inside, indicative of a bee’s nest-building process, which uses compacted dirt and a secreted waxy substance that coats the inside of the walls.

“This is a very interesting record because usually for bees, sometimes

By Daniel Wine, Jordan D. Brown, CNN

Welcome to 5 Things PM! In a watershed moment for the entertainment business, the Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube in 2029. The deal highlights the tremendous power shift from broadcast TV to streaming.

Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day.

5 things

1⃣ Tax changes

President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — signed into law in July — created several new tax provisions and made changes to others. This is what you should know before you start preparing your 2025 tax return.

2⃣ Science under fire

Stress balls were in high demand during the world’s largest gathering of climate scientists in New Orleans. That’s because the Trump administration plans to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Weather-related experts vow to fight back.

3⃣ ‘Under profound strain’

Young Americans deeply mistrust institutions and say things in the US are generally on the wrong track, a survey found. Yet only about half of those polled said they will definitely or probably vote next year.

4⃣ Countries crying foul

Seattle — one of the 16 host cities for next year’s World Cup — has stirred controversy ahead of the global soccer showcase. Here’s why the city’s plans sparked outrage in Egypt and Iran.

5⃣ Luxury sets sail

A friendly competition is underway between some of the world’s most exclusive hospitality brands. The prize? Command of the high seas — or bragging rights, at least.

Watch this

From the rink to the courtroom: Shiven Bodasing is setting the bar high for side gigs. The South African is an intern attorney by day and a competitive figure skating champion by night with hopes to “grow the sport” in his home country.

Top headlines

• 4 GOP lawmakers agree to back Democrats in Obamacare fight
• Held without bail, Nick Reiner appears briefly in court
• Trump’s unconventional pick confirmed as new head of NASA

Check this out

Triassic traces: A wildlife photographer stumbled upon one of the largest known collections of dinosaur footprints, dating back about 210 million years, just a mile away from a 2026 Winter Olympics site.

For

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN

(CNN) — The American Academy of Pediatrics has joined the ranks of organizations that are losing funding for grants that, federal officials say, don’t align with the Trump administration’s missions or priorities.

The US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that it has terminated grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization, representing 67,000 US pediatricians, has criticized some of the agency’s positions and had ongoing clashes with officials, including a legal battle.

The AAP learned this week that seven grants under HHS are being terminated, Mark Del Monte, the organization’s chief executive officer and executive vice president, said in a statement Wednesday.

“This vital work spanned multiple child health priorities, including reducing sudden infant death, rural access to health care, mental health, adolescent health, supporting children with birth defects, early identification of autism, and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, among other topics,” Del Monte said.

“The Academy is proud of this work, and of the staff, pediatricians, and partners who were engaged in these important programs. The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States,” he said. “AAP is exploring all available options, including legal recourse, in response to these actions. The AAP remains committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all infants, children, adolescents and young adults.”

The cancellations, totaling millions of dollars, were first reported by the Washington Post.

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said Wednesday that the AAP is one of several medical groups that have had funding terminated.

“These grants, previously awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics, were canceled along with a number of other grants to other organizations because they no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities,” Nixon said in an email.

Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the department’s stated priorities have included addressing chronic diseases and toxins, combating “gender ideology,” exploring alternative testing models, furthering the understanding of autism and ending “illegal race discrimination” as well as “dangerous gain-of-function research.”

The AAP and Kennedy have been in conflict – and litigation – over certain public health policies, including those related to childhood vaccinations.

Earlier this year, the AAP took the rare step of breaking with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its recommendation that the Covid-19 vaccine for children should be “based on shared clinical decision-making.” The AAP recommendations were more explicit, saying that all children 6 months through 23 months should receive a Covid-19 vaccine unless they have known allergies to the vaccine or its ingredients.

The AAP also criticized the CDC on Tuesday for adopting its vaccine advisers’ decision to no longer recommend the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. “It is deeply disappointing to see the continued dismissal of expertise to inform recommendations that have broad implications on the health of America’s children,” AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly said in a statement.

A coalition of medical groups led by the Read more