Accurate aging of wild animals thanks to first epigenetic clock for bats
A new study led by University of Maryland and UCLA researchers found that DNA from tissue samples can be used to accurately predict the age of bats in the wild. The study also showed age-related changes to the DNA of long-lived species are different.....»»
Google is finally adding a speedometer to Google Maps on iPhone
Half a decade after it introduced the features on Android, Google now plans to add both a speedometer and speed limits detail to its Google Maps on iOS.Google Maps on iPhone will add a speedometerTaking an accurate measurement of a car's speed is sur.....»»
Rice gone wild: How humans have inadvertently selected for "weedy" rice
University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have discovered that the anatomical adaptation helping weedy rice varieties to proliferate is not, as previously believed, confined only to these pest varieties. The research, published recently in the.....»»
Study shows leaf shape and size can"t reliably distinguish wild coca plants from those grown to make cocaine
A new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution indicates that while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has collected annual data on areas of coca cultivation in South America for decades to monitor the establishment of illegal plantations a.....»»
Researchers listen to the hearts of bats in flight
Researchers from Konstanz have measured the heart rate of bats over several days in the wild, including complete flights—the first time this has been done for a bat species. To record the heart rate of male common noctule bats during flight, the sc.....»»
How a global collaboration is helping protect biodiversity
Ask a 10-year-old to name some extinct animals and they can usually rattle off ancient species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, Woolly Mammoth and Dodo. Some may even be able to tell you what the animals used to look like without searching online......»»
New AI model can provide high-accuracy forecasts from even low-resolution data
Being able to create accurate weather models for weather forecasting is essential for every aspect of the American economy, from aviation to shipping. To date, weather models have been primarily based on equations related to thermodynamics and fluid.....»»
Global database reveals large gaps in our knowledge of four-footed animals
Researchers have developed TetrapodTraits—a global database of animals with four feet—which can now be applied for better ecology, evolution and conservation research. Mario Moura of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, and Walter Jetz.....»»
No GPS, no problem: Researchers are making quantum sensing tools more compact and accurate to replace GPS
Fundamental physics—let alone quantum physics—might sound complicated to many, but it can actually be applied to solve everyday problems......»»
New hemp reference material will help ensure accurate cannabis measurements
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now selling a hemp reference material that will help laboratories accurately measure key components in cannabis plant products. This will help law enforcement agencies accurately distinguis.....»»
Life underground suited newly discovered dinosaur, study finds
The age of dinosaurs wasn't conducted solely above ground. A newly discovered ancestor of Thescelosaurus shows evidence that these animals spent at least part of their time in underground burrows. The new species contributes to a fuller understanding.....»»
As ocean surfaces acidify, a deep-sea acidic zone is expanding, and marine habitats are being squeezed
In the deepest parts of the ocean, below 4,000 meters, the combination of high pressure and low temperature creates conditions that dissolve calcium carbonate, the material marine animals use to make their shells......»»
A wildlife crossing is proposed for Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains
People view highways as a way to move from Point A to Point B, but to the animals that inhabit either side of a busy roadway, the lanes are a potentially deadly barrier......»»
Innovative use of hyperspectral data and DCGANs enhances rice protein content estimation
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crucial crop feeding over half of the global population. The demand for high-quality, protein-rich rice is rising, making accurate grain protein content (GPC) estimation vital for breeding superior varieties......»»
Amazon revives the Echo Spot with a new look ahead of Prime Day
The Echo Spot is a smart alarm clock with a small footprint, customizable display, and support for Alexa. It's now available for $80 ahead of Prime Day......»»
Brain size riddle solved as humans exceed evolutionary trend
The largest animals do not have proportionally bigger brains—with humans bucking this trend—a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution has revealed......»»
The exit poll: What is it, how is it made and how did it become such an accurate prediction of election results?
The first big moment on election night in the UK, after polls close, happens at 10pm sharp. This is when the exit poll is released and the media commentary floodgates are reopened after a day of media silence, according to broadcasting rules......»»
Pear-derived discovery: A genetic mechanism to fortify crops against drought
A recent study has shed light on a critical genetic mechanism that boosts plants' ability to withstand drought. The research uncovers the role of the transcription factor PbERF3, native to wild pears, which works in concert with the protein PbHsfC1a.....»»
To save bees, scientists say focus on habitat first, then pesticides
Worldwide, hedgerows and wild grass in field margins which previously served as semi-natural habitats are being swallowed up into agricultural production. While scientists have suggested both pesticide use and habitat loss are detrimental to pollinat.....»»
How studying bat viruses can help prevent zoonotic disease
Bats have become the poster child of emerging zoonotic disease. The creatures harbor a vast array of viruses—some of which cause deadly diseases in humans—yet they rarely get sick themselves......»»
Yes, some animals can have babies without a mate. Here"s how
A boa constrictor in the U.K. gave birth to 14 babies—without a mate......»»