Can some snakes do cartwheels to escape or startle predators?
In research published in Biotropica, investigators report that the Dwarf Reed Snake (Pseudorabdion longiceps) performs cartwheels when threatened. This is the first time such an active rolling motion has been documented in snakes, with images and a d.....»»
Passengers narrowly escape disaster as plane’s tires burst during takeoff, shattering window
Passengers narrowly escape disaster as plane’s tires burst during takeoff, shattering window.....»»
Green belts need modernizing—a more "multifunctional" approach can benefit people and planet
Green belts are more than just spaces; for many people, they're places providing a brief escape from the city. Land designated as green belt—and protected from building—can also store carbon and hold water at times of flooding and drought......»»
NASA"s Artemis emergency egress system emphasizes crew safety
Since NASA began sending astronauts to space, the agency has relied on emergency systems for personnel to safely leave the launch pad and escape the hazard in the unlikely event of an emergency during the launch countdown......»»
Ancient Antarctic microorganisms are aggressive predators
In Antarctica there is a small lake, called Deep Lake, that is so salty it remains ice-free all year round despite temperatures as low as -20°C in winter. Archaea, a unique type of single-celled microorganism, thrive in this bitterly cold environmen.....»»
Take a preventative approach to escape the engineering toil trap
Take a preventative approach to escape the engineering toil trap.....»»
Ghosts of species past: Shedding new light on the demise of NZ"s moa can help other flightless birds
New Zealand was once home to giant flightless birds called moa. They had grown accustomed to life without predators. So the arrival of humans in the mid-13th century presented a massive—and ultimately insurmountable—challenge to their existence......»»
Heat-sensitive trees moving uphill due to rising temperatures, study finds
Trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are migrating in search of more favorable temperatures, with species in mountain forests moving uphill to escape rising heat caused by climate change, a new study reveals......»»
New fossil snake species provides insight into reptile social behavior and development
A newly discovered snake species, Hibernophis breithaupti, provides rare insight into the social behavior of snakes and fills some gaps in our knowledge of the evolution of boas, or boidae. The quartet of fossilized snakes discovered in western Wyomi.....»»
Snakes on a plate: Pythons touted as protein alternative
In a warehouse in the lush humid farmlands of central Thailand, thousands of pythons lie coiled in containers, rearing and striking at the glass as people pass by......»»
Ladybugs: Understanding the beneficial predators among us
Lady beetles, also known as ladybugs, are distinct, varied and abundant, with approximately 500 species in North America and 6,000 worldwide. Their oval, dome-shaped bodies can be colorful and decorative, but the "lady" designation has nothing to do.....»»
Supermassive black holes have masses of more than a million suns—but their growth has slowed as the universe has aged
Black holes are remarkable astronomical objects with gravity so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape them. The most gigantic ones, known as "supermassive" black holes, can weigh millions to billions times the mass of the sun......»»
Animals use physics? Let us count the ways
Cats twist and snakes slide, exploiting and negotiating physical laws. Enlarge (credit: Fernando Trabanco Fotografía via Getty Images) Isaac Newton would never have discovered the laws of motion had he studied only cats.....»»
How yeasts manage to compensate for the genetic imbalance of extra chromosomes
Having extra chromosomes is typically an issue for an organism and can disrupt development or cause disease. But some cells benefit instead. For example, cancer cells or pathogenic yeasts can use extra chromosomes to escape treatment and become drug-.....»»
Biologists discover caterpillars are able to sense electrostatic fields generated by predators
Sam England and Daniel Robert, biologists at the University of Bristol, report that at least three types of caterpillars are capable of sensing and responding to an electrostatic field generated by a predator......»»
5 great Netflix movies that are perfect to watch in the spring
Craving a spring break from reality? Feel free to escape with these top-notch movies streaming on Netflix, including A Man Called Otto, Yes Day, and more......»»
Thirsty in paradise: Water crises are a growing problem across the Caribbean islands
In the popular imagination, the Caribbean is paradise, an exotic place to escape to. But behind the images of balmy beaches and lush hotel grounds lies a crisis, the likes of which its residents have never experienced......»»
AT&T loses key ruling in attempt to escape Carrier-of-Last-Resort obligation
AT&T submitted "flawed and erroneous assertions," California agency judge says. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Joe Raedle ) AT&T's application to end its landline phone obligations in California is likely to be rejected.....»»
Dice snakes found to use a variety of techniques to more effectively fake their own deaths
A pair of biologists at the University of Belgrade, in Serbia, has found that dice snakes use a variety of techniques to fool predators into believing they have died. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Vukašin Bjelica and Ana G.....»»
Discover why the world went quiet in new A Quiet Place: Day One trailer
"It's the end of days. No more people, no more New York, no more nothing." Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn must escape a Manhattan overrun by aliens in A Quiet Place: Day One. Invading aliens transform a bustling New York City into.....»»
U.S. agency raises safety concerns on Ford crossover fuel leak recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said last month it was investigating the adequacy and safety consequences of Ford's proposed recall remedy for 2022-2023 model year Bronco Sport and 2022 Ford Escape SUVs with 1.5L engines......»»