Feline genetics help pinpoint first-ever domestication of cats
Nearly 10,000 years ago, humans settling in the Fertile Crescent, the areas of the Middle East surrounding the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, made the first switch from hunter-gatherers to farmers. They developed close bonds with the rodent-eating cats.....»»
New study suggests birds began diversifying long before dinosaurs went extinct
A multi-institutional, international team of evolutionary biologists, genetics specialists and phylogenomicists has found evidence that bird species began diversifying long before the dinosaurs went extinct......»»
23andMe Is Under Fire. Its Founder Remains ‘Optimistic’
23andMe’s CEO Anne Wojcicki has saved the genetics company from the brink of failure before. She sat down with WIRED to talk about where it goes from here......»»
Study finds that Oura Ring data helps pinpoint depressive states
In 2020, a group of California researchers wanted to see if fitness trackers, such as the Oura Ring, could detect early signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (spoiler: they can). What the study also found, however, was a correlation between the depressive s.....»»
How to track an Android phone (or other device)
Need to learn how to track your Android smartphone or other mobile device? Here are three great options, each of which can help you pinpoint your device......»»
Asian fishing cats caught snacking on chicks from tree-top nests
South Asian fishing cats were observed raiding bird nests in tall trees for the first time. This rare and highly unusual behavior was caught on motion cameras set up in tree canopies across northeast Bangladesh to survey bird colonies. Scientists hop.....»»
Scientists pinpoint growth of brain"s cerebellum as key to evolution of bird flight
Evolutionary biologists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report they have combined PET scans of modern pigeons along with studies of dinosaur fossils to help answer an enduring question in biology: How did the brains of birds evolve to enable them to fly?.....»»
New species of ancient feline discovered in Spain
A small team of paleontologists at Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC has discovered a new species of ancient feline based on study of a jawbone fossil. In their paper published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the group describes a jawb.....»»
Researchers map genome for cats, dolphins, birds, and dozens of other animals
Researchers mapped genetic blueprints for 51 species including cats, dolphins, kangaroos, penguins, sharks, and turtles, a discovery that deepens our understanding of evolution and the links between humans and animals......»»
Japan"s precision moon lander has hit its target, but it appears to be upside-down
Japan's space agency said Thursday that its first lunar mission hit the tiny patch of the moon's surface it was aiming for, in a successful demonstration of its pinpoint landing system—although the probe appears to be lying upside-down......»»
Ancient brown bear genomes shed light on Ice Age losses and survival
The brown bear is one of the largest living terrestrial carnivores, and is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike many other large carnivores that went extinct at the end of the last Ice Age (cave bear, sabretoothed cats, cave hyen.....»»
Repeated sexual failures cause social stress in fruit flies
Repeated failures to reproduce make fruit flies stressed and frustrated, which in turn makes them less resilient to other types of stress, Julia Ryvkin at Bar-Ilan University and colleagues report in PLOS Genetics......»»
Living Security Unify Power Insights identifies vulnerable members within an organization
Living Security announced Unify Power Insights, which combines intelligence across multiple identity management and security tools to pinpoint visibility into which members of the workforce are most vulnerable to phishing, account compromise, malware.....»»
High hopes for Japan"s "Moon Sniper" mission
Japan's "Moon Sniper" spacecraft will attempt a historic touchdown on the lunar surface this weekend using pinpoint technology the country hopes will lead to success where many have failed......»»
Domesticating plants impacts their microbiome, study finds
New research led by the University of Oxford indicates that human domestication of crops can alter the communities of microorganisms that are associated with plants. Intriguingly, independent domestication events were found to have similar impacts on.....»»
TikTok says orange cats are "dumb" and tortoiseshell cats have "an attitude"—but how true is that?
If you've watched cat videos on social media lately, you may have encountered the idea a cat's coat color tells us something about their personality......»»
Exploring common types of feline mange
Mange is a skin disease that can compromise a pet's well-being, leading to discomfort and potential health complications. Though it is a more common condition for dogs, cats can also be at risk, which is why owners should familiarize themselves with.....»»
Are catnip and treats like it safe for cats? Here"s how they affect their minds and moods
Cats kept indoors can live a good life when they get access to a variety of positive experiences. Examples include performing natural behaviors, feeling safe at home and using their full sensory capabilities, including their sense of smell......»»
Won"t my cat get bored if I keep it inside? Here"s how to ensure it"s happy
The Australian and American Veterinary Medical Associations recommend keeping cats indoors because they, and wildlife, will be safer......»»
"What"s on today"s menu?": Why it"s important to study the trophic behavior of local predators
Trophic ecology is the study of the food chain. On Tenerife in the Canary Islands, feral cats feast chiefly on rabbits, mice, rats, and native birds and reptiles. But new research shows that since 1986, the island's wild cats have experienced a signi.....»»
Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract, finds study
Plants often develop communities with microorganisms in their roots, which influences plant health and development. Although the recruitment of these microbes is dictated by several factors, it is unclear whether the genetic variation in the host pla.....»»