From apes to birds, there are 65 animal species that “laugh”
Laughter is spread widely across mammals and occurs in birds, too. Enlarge / The stuff we call "laughter" from hyenas? It's not. (credit: Getty Images) Among humans, laughter can signify a lot of different things, from intimacy to discomfort......»»
New research offers fresh hope to curb illegal orchid trafficking in Vietnam
Orchids, with their captivating beauty, have become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Unfortunately, many species are on the brink of extinction, particularly in Vietnam, due to unsustainable wild harvesting and minimal enforcement of laws restricting.....»»
Team is first to find invasive hydrilla plant in Canada
Hydrilla verticillate (hydrilla), one of North America's most invasive species, has been found for the first time in Canada. Dr. Rebecca Rooney, a biology professor, and members of her Waterloo Wetland Laboratory were surveying a secluded section of.....»»
"Extinct" snails found breeding in French Polynesia following a successful reintroduction project
A species of tropical tree snail is no longer extinct in the wild following a successful reintroduction project......»»
Bird study shows that grounded running styles conserve energy
A small team of biologists and animal movement specialists in the Netherlands and the U.K. has found that birds such as the emu have a grounded running style at medium speeds, allowing them to conserve energy compared to the ungrounded running style.....»»
New fossil species reshapes understanding of grape family history
Until now, it was believed that plants of the grape family arrived at the European continent less than 23 million years ago. A study on fossil plants draws a new scenario on the dispersal of the ancestors of grape plants and reveals that these specie.....»»
Heat, animal illness and erosion risks to affect NZ agriculture with changing climate
Scientists at Manaaki Whenua—Landcare Research have worked closely with researchers from NIWA, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research to model the likely risks of a warming climate across different agricultural sectors in New Zealand. The study is pu.....»»
Researchers name beetle after National Geographic photographer
A new beetle species has been named to honor a fellow Husker, bridging the worlds of academia and wildlife conservation......»»
New study backs conservation at landscape scale to protect a near threatened bird species
Understanding the factors that influence how species select their habitats is crucial to inform conservation strategies, especially for vulnerable species. A new study about how wintering individuals of the Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) i.....»»
Humbug damselfish use "motion dazzle" to evade predators
When thinking of animal camouflage, we typically imagine creatures remaining still, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. But remaining motionless isn't always practical, and many animals are highly mobile, constantly moving through their envi.....»»
Can the "hard steps" in the evolutionary history of human intelligence be recast with geological thresholds?
What took so long for humans to appear on Earth? The Earth is 4.6 billion years old, and life began about 4 billion years ago, yet humans—the only intelligent, technological species we know of in the universe—have existed only for the last 200,0.....»»
New evolutionary model revises the origins of biodiversity
An international team of scientists has made a discovery that could reshape our understanding of how global biodiversity evolved. By reconstructing the evolution of species over the past 45 million years, researchers found that the geographic origins.....»»
"Palm-sized birds" extinct in the wild since 1988 make "monumental" return to island
It's been 35 years since this "cerulean blue and cinnamon" colored bird has flown free in the wild......»»
Signs of hope for endangered Maugean skate
For the first time in nearly a decade, scientists have recorded an increased presence of young Maugean skates—a ray of hope for the survival of the endangered species......»»
New shark species named for late Microsoft co-founder
A hammerhead shark species discovered by FIU scientists finally has a name and its namesake is the late Paul G. Allen, philanthropist and cofounder of Microsoft......»»
New Zealand scientists discover ghostly "spookfish"
Scientists in New Zealand said Tuesday they have discovered a new species of "ghost shark", a type of fish that prowls the Pacific Ocean floor hunting prey more than a mile down......»»
Move over Olympians, Australia"s wildlife are incredible athletes
Now that the Paris Olympics and Paralympics have disappeared from our screens, let's get back to watching animal videos......»»
Indigenous outback rangers in WA find up to 50 night parrots, among Australia"s most elusive birds
In arid inland Australia lives one of Australia's rarest birds: the night parrot. Missing for more than a century, a live population was rediscovered in 2013. But the species remains elusive......»»
A secret recipe for colorful and versatile animal crystals
What do fish, chameleons, crabs and Walter White, the chemistry teacher from "Breaking Bad," all have in common? The answer is that they all know how to make crystals. But, unlike the incorrigible White, who manufactured mind-altering methamphetamine.....»»
Study reveals high rates of seafood mislabeling and ambiguous market names in Calgary, Alberta
A study published in PeerJ Life and Environment has uncovered alarming levels of seafood mislabeling and the use of ambiguous market names in Calgary's seafood market, often concealing species of conservation concern. This research marks the first Ca.....»»
"Pirate birds" force other seabirds to regurgitate fish meals. Their thieving ways could spread lethal avian flu
It's not easy finding food at sea. Seabirds often stay aloft, scanning the churning waters for elusive prey. Most seabirds take fish, squid, or other prey from the first few meters of seawater. Scavenging is common......»»