Do hypoallergenic cats even exist? Three myths dispelled about cat allergies
Cats are great companions, but for some people their company comes at a cost. Up to 1 in 5 people have an allergic response to cats, and this figure is increasing......»»
Orchid without pollinating bumblebee on island finds wasp, blurring orchid species boundary
Because the bumblebee that an orchid relies on for pollination does not exist on a remote island, the plant gets pollinated by an island wasp. Kobe University researchers found that this came at the cost of being hybridized with another orchid specie.....»»
Sharing visual teaching categories through language
Category learning is a broad term that describes how people learn to classify things around them into various groups. We learn to visually distinguish between cats and dogs, for instance, or to identify specific dog breeds......»»
Beyond the periodic table: Superheavy elements and ultradense asteroids
Some asteroids have measured densities higher than those of any elements known to exist on Earth. This suggests that they are at least partly composed of unknown types of "ultradense" matter that cannot be studied by conventional physics......»»
Long gone, DEC is still powering the world of computing
One of the early pioneers in computing, the company disappeared in the late 1990s. Enlarge / A DEC VAX 8350 with cover removed. (credit: Adamantios) Even though very few of the early players in technology still exist, we.....»»
We now know how cats purr—why they purr is still up for debate
Studies of excised cat larynxes reveal role of connective tissues embedded in vocal folds. Enlarge / "They excised what, now?" Puck is nonetheless intrigued by new findings about the mechanisms behind a cat's purr. (credit: Jenni.....»»
The cat larynx can produce purring sounds without cyclical neural input
A recent investigation led by voice scientist Christian T. Herbst from the University of Vienna, published in Current Biology, delivers novel insights into how cats produce their purring sounds. A special "pad" embedded in the vocal folds might expla.....»»
Diagnosing anthropogenic carbon emissions: A "carbon dioxide checkup" of Earth"s health
Since 2020, many countries have pledged their plans for "carbon peak and carbon neutrality". Managing anthropogenic emissions, especially from major industries, is crucial for addressing global warming and promoting sustainable growth. However, exist.....»»
Apple selling USB-A to USB-C cable for the first time following iPhone 15 launch
iPhone 15 may be the first to charge over USB-C, but it’s hardly the first Apple product to use the port. From MacBooks and iPads to the Apple TV remote, USB-C ports exist on many devices. Still, it’s only now that the iPhone 15 has launched that.....»»
Q&A: Searching for life where it shouldn"t exist
A team of Penn State scientists is working to solve one of the world's greatest unsolved mysteries: how life originated on Earth—and how it might have evolved on other planets......»»
A turtle time capsule: DNA found in ancient shell
Currently, only seven species of sea turtles exist. Among them are two in the genus Lepidochelys: the olive ridley and the Kemp's ridley. Despite being among the most common sea turtles in much of the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere, little is known abou.....»»
Meteorite discovery: Unusual finds by South African farmer add to space rock heritage
Meteorites—fragments of rock that have fallen to Earth from space in spectacularly fiery meteors—have been the subject of public fascination, awe, myths and even religious worship for thousands of years......»»
Human evolution: Hominins challenge giant hyenas for carcasses in Prehistoric simulations
Hominins—the group that includes humans and our extinct relatives—may have been capable of competing with giant hyenas for carcasses abandoned by saber-toothed cats and jaguars during the late-early Pleistocene era (approximately 1.2 to 0.8 milli.....»»
What"s the carbon footprint of owning pet fish? An expert explains
While the environmental impact of having dogs and cats as pets has been examined to some extent, the impact of keeping pet fish has remained unexplored—until now......»»
How rape myths, unconscious biases prejudice the judicial system against women, and rape survivors in particular
It is well documented that women who are sexually assaulted, or raped, rarely report the crime to the police. The US charity, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, has shown that 1 in 6 women in the US has been the victim of rape or attempted.....»»
Assessing the safety and suitability of using cat-attracting plants for olfactory enrichment
In a study published in iScience, a research team first examined the effects of silver vine on cats by comparing single exposure and long-term exposure to plant extracts. The cats were given access to the extract for four hours. At first, they showed.....»»
Did life exist on Mars? Other planets? With AI"s help, we may know soon
Scientists have discovered a simple and reliable test for signs of past or present life on other planets—"the holy grail of astrobiology.".....»»
Take a break from September’s loudest games with this cat-filled indie charmer
Once you're done ripping out spines and pulling off heists, try this cozy indie about cats and haggling......»»
Grisham, Martin join authors suing OpenAI: “There is nothing fair about this” [Updated]
Authors claim ChatGPT wouldn’t exist without their books. Enlarge / George R.R. Martin at an HBO Max screening. (credit: Amy Sussman/GA / Contributor | The Hollywood Reporter) Yesterday, popular authors including John.....»»
Grisham, Martin join authors suing OpenAI: “There is nothing fair about this”
Authors claim ChatGPT wouldn’t exist without their books. Enlarge / George R.R. Martin at an HBO Max screening. (credit: Amy Sussman/GA / Contributor | The Hollywood Reporter) Yesterday, popular authors including John.....»»
Molecular properties are only weakly correlated, study finds
The number of molecules thought to exist is unfathomably large—somewhere between 1050 and 1060 (for comparison, there are only 1022 to 1024 stars in the observable universe). The chemical and pharmaceutical sciences have sought a comprehensive unde.....»»