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......»»
Biologists identify traits correlating with all bird extinctions since 1500
Looking to inform the conservation of critically endangered bird species, University of Utah biologists have completed an analysis identifying traits that correlate with all 216 bird extinctions since 1500......»»
Effects of extreme weather events on soil microbes shed light on climate change risks
New research has revealed how tiny soil microbes are impacted by extreme weather events, offering new insights into the risks posed by climate change......»»
Most NZ dairy farmers put profitability first—but some are planting native trees anyway
Globally, about 40% of ice-free land is used for agriculture, managed by farmers and herders......»»
Cell model identifies important factor in neural development
The Wistar Institute's Alessandro Gardini, Ph.D., and lab have shed new light on how certain biological processes determine the development of neural cells. Their findings on a molecular "bridge" complex demonstrate a new level of detail in the under.....»»
Scientists use acoustic data to track blue and fin whale occurrences in the Arctic
The long-term analysis of blue whale and fin whale vocalizations in the eastern Fram Strait offers valuable insights into seasonal and annual patterns regarding these species' occurrence in the region. For example, blue whales can primarily be heard.....»»
Report highlights urgent need for age-appropriate housing solutions
A new report from the government-appointed Older People's Housing Taskforce has shed light on the critical shortage of suitable housing options for senior citizens......»»
Same plant, different tactic: Habitat determines response to climate, thale cress study finds
Plants need light to grow, but too much light can induce damage to the photosynthetic complex known as photosystem II. It is known that plants adapted to growing under full sun repair this light-induced damage more. But this repair activity slows dow.....»»
Brains grew faster as humans evolved, study finds
Modern humans, Neanderthals, and other recent relatives on our human family tree evolved bigger brains much more rapidly than earlier species, a new study of human brain evolution has found......»»
Bandwidth measurements show how pulsar signals distort as they move through space
A study that sheds new light on how pulsar signals—the spinning remnants of massive stars—distort as they travel through space, published in The Astrophysical Journal, was led by Dr. Sofia Sheikh, SETI Institute researcher, and performed by a mul.....»»
X-ray measurements reveal an unexpected role for copper in photocatalysts
Copper is a promising catalyst for sustainably converting carbon dioxide into substances with more electrons (called reduced species). This is an important step in converting carbon dioxide into fuels. This reaction is often initiated by electrical e.....»»
Researchers develop light-guided siRNA delivery system based on cyanobacteria
In a study published in Cell Reports Physical Science on Nov. 25, a research team reported the development of an innovative intelligent light-guided biohybrid system, the CTPA/siCSF1R system, to target tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), thus enabli.....»»
Early Black Friday deals under $25 — Speakers, keyboards, smart light bulbs, and more
Yes, Black Friday is a good time to buy cheaper things, too. These are our favorite deals under $25 this year......»»
First right whales of season gorge on critical food off Massachusetts, giving hope for a strong year
Scientists who study a critically endangered species of whale that lives off New England said encouraging early signs suggest the animals could have a strong season for feeding and breeding......»»
Sombrero Galaxy dazzles in new Webb images and video
A new mid-infrared image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope features the Sombrero galaxy, also known as Messier 104 (M104). The signature, glowing core seen in visible-light images does not shine, and instead a smooth inner disk is reve.....»»
Brighter and more efficient LEDs with low polarization resist "efficiency droop"
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are everywhere in modern life, from smartphones to home lighting. But today's LEDs have a major limitation: when you try to make them brighter by increasing their power, they become less efficient......»»
Long-term study reveals warming climates threaten Florida scrub-jay
Because of warmer winters, Florida scrub-jays are now nesting one week earlier than they did in 1981. But these early birds are not always getting the worm......»»
Study discovers formation of Criegee intermediates from photochemical oxidation of alkenes
Organic peroxy radicals (RO2) and Criegee intermediates (CI, carbonyl oxides) are key reactive species in atmospheric chemistry and play crucial roles in the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA)......»»
International team studies the migration of the American woodcock
The American woodcock, a plump harbinger of spring, is a well known shorebird found across eastern North America. The species is a popular game bird and has earned the admiration of hunters, birders and others through its spring display, whistling wi.....»»
WEAVE spectrograph uncovers dual nature of galaxy shock
Using the set of first-light observations from the new William Herschel Telescope Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE) wide-field spectrograph, a team of more than 50 astronomers, led by Dr. Marina Arnaudova at the University of Hertfordshire, has.....»»
Slender-billed Curlew may be extinct, marking the disappearance of a third bird species from the Western Palaearctic
A small team of conservationists, biodiversity specialists and bird researchers has found that it is likely a third species of bird has gone extinct in the Western Palaearctic—a large area of land spanning parts of North Africa all the way up to po.....»»