Genetics goes to the dogs, finds there’s not much to breed behavior
One of the strongest genetic associations is to "gets stuck behind objects." Enlarge / In the case of the samoyed, selection for physical characteristics produced a dog that sure looks happy. (credit: Zhao Hui) Many dog breeds.....»»
Rare woolly rhino mummies emerge from the permafrost
The new finds confirm the existence of a feature seen in cave art. Enlarge / Portion of a reproduction of cave paintings in France, showing rhinos (among other species). (credit: JEFF PACHOUD) For most people, an extinct.....»»
Driver assists become de facto autopilots as drivers multitask, study finds
As drivers become familiar with the systems, they exploit them. Enlarge / Lane keeping systems let you take your hands off the wheel while you drive. (credit: Getty Images) The seductive lure of cars that drive themselv.....»»
Possum shrimp use their cave"s special smell to trace their way home, study finds
Homing is an animal's ability to navigate towards an original location, such as a breeding spot or foraging territory. Salmon and racing pigeons are famous for homing, but similar behaviors occur in groups as diverse as bees, frogs, rats, and sea tur.....»»
Optogenetic control reveals collective cell behavior
New research led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has studied the migratory movement of groups of cells using light control. The results show that there is no leader cell that directs the collective movement, as previously thou.....»»
Researchers find golden eagles improve their flight skills with age
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany, in collaboration with the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Switzerland and the University of Vienna in Austria, investigated how young golden eagles improve their flight skills a.....»»
Study finds mine-drainage treatment cost effective, but far more costs lay ahead
New research led by the University of Pittsburgh shows that state and federal appropriations allowing Pennsylvania to treat abandoned mine drainage works to both successfully and cost effectively clean up the acidic water—particularly to the benefi.....»»
Omnipresent AI cameras will ensure good behavior, says Larry Ellison
"We’re going to have supervision," says billionaire Oracle co-founder Ellison. Enlarge (credit: Benj Edwards / Mike Kemp via Getty Images) On Thursday, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison shared his vision for an AI-powere.....»»
Paleontologists find omnivorous ancestor of the giant panda, revealing it was not always just a bamboo eater
The Hammerschmiede fossil site in southern Germany has yielded finds from about 11.5 million years ago that have rewritten evolutionary history. The sole species of bear discovered to date at the site was a relative of the giant panda. Its diet, howe.....»»
Genomics reveals sled dogs" Siberian lineage
New research co-led by Cornell University examines thousands of years of Arctic sled dog ancestry and reveals when and how Siberian and Alaskan sled dogs' DNA mixed......»»
Social messaging in soap operas can prevent violence and intergroup conflict
Soap operas are known for outrageous schemes and scandalous affairs, but an NYU researcher finds that they can also serve as effective interventions for preventing intergroup violence in conflict-ridden areas by shaping social norms, promoting unders.....»»
An "invasive" marine organism has become an economic resource in the eastern Mediterranean
Pamela Hallock, a biogeological oceanographer and distinguished university professor at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, typically finds little comfort in climate change......»»
Antarctic research finds exceptional warm air intrusions and omnipresent aerosol layers in the stratosphere
Extremely clean air on the ground, warm air intrusions and sulfate aerosol at high altitudes—a Leipzig research project has gained new insights into clouds in Antarctica. From January to December 2023, the vertical distribution of aerosol particles.....»»
Trees in tropical logged forests release carbon at greater rate despite faster growth, study finds
Tree stems in tropical forests recovering from logging produce carbon dioxide at a greater rate than those in unlogged forests, according to a new study from the University of Leicester......»»
New research finds employees feel pressure to work while sick, which has been shown to cost companies billions
Employees often feel pressure to work while sick, leading to lost productivity, deviant behaviors such as theft and mistreatment of coworkers and intent to leave the organization, according to new research led by University of South Florida Assistant.....»»
Energy transmission in quantum field theory requires information: Research finds surprisingly simple relationship
An international team of researchers has found a surprisingly simple relationship between the rates of energy and information transmission across an interface connecting two quantum field theories. Their work was published in Physical Review Letters.....»»
Over 2 million acres of floodplain development occurred in US in last two decades, study finds
A nationwide analysis of community-level floodplain development found that over two-million acres of floodplain were developed over the past two decades across the United States, with roughly half of all new floodplain housing built in Florida......»»
Global warming"s economic blow: Risks rise more rapidly for the rich, study finds
In a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), researchers analyzed how erratic weather events, increasingly intensified by global warming, affect global production and consumption across different income groups. The paper.....»»
Over two-million acres of floodplain development occurred in US in last two decades, study finds
A nationwide analysis of community-level floodplain development found that over two-million acres of floodplain were developed over the past two decades across the United States, with roughly half of all new floodplain housing built in Florida......»»
New technique boosts mutation rates in fruit flies for genetics research
A new technique, TF-High-Evolutionary (TF-HighEvo), allows large-scale assessment of de-novo mutations in multicellular organisms. Developed in collaboration with researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Friedrich Mie.....»»
English Premier League football club"s performance can influence students" choice of university, research finds
Students can be swayed by the performance of English Premier League (EPL) football clubs when choosing a university, according to research......»»