How moonlight fine-tunes animal reproduction
Animals possess circadian clocks, or 24-hour oscillators, to regulate daily behavior. These typically take their cues from the periodic change of sunlight and darkness. However, many animals are also exposed to moonlight, which reoccurs with ~25h per.....»»
New plant bug species discovered in French Polynesia
Seventeen new species of plant bugs—a group of insects with a strawlike mouth used to feed on plant and animal matter—have been identified on the islands of French Polynesia, and their names honor scientists, actors, and Vice President Kamala Har.....»»
Latest space station science reveals news for astronaut health and telescope longevity
Recent findings from the International Space Station address wound healing, fine motor control in space, and radiation resistance by the station's Glowbug gamma-ray telescope......»»
Only 3% of South Africans can name all five national animals and plants. Why these symbols matter
Alongside a national flag, anthem and coat of arms, most countries have one or more plant and animal species that they designate as national symbols. The national animal of China, for example, is the giant panda, a nation-wide source of pride and dip.....»»
A physicist and his cat "reveal" the equation of cat motion
In the social media age, there is little doubt about who is the star of the animal kingdom. Cats rule the screens just as their cousins, the lions, rule the savanna. Thanks to Erwin Schrödinger, this feline also has a place of honor in the history o.....»»
Fossil of huge terror bird offers new information about wildlife in South America 12 million years ago
Researchers including a Johns Hopkins University evolutionary biologist report they have analyzed a fossil of an extinct giant meat-eating bird—which they say could be the largest known member of its kind—providing new information about animal li.....»»
Not too big, not too small: Why modern humans are the ideal size for speed
The fastest animal on land is the cheetah, capable of reaching top speeds of 104 kilometers per hour. In the water, the fastest animals are yellowfin tuna and wahoo, which can reach speeds of 75 and 77 km per hour respectively. In the air, the title.....»»
"Wing spreading" adaptation in fruit flies offers insights into female courtship behavior
In the game of evolution, key behavioral adaptations that confer fitness in survival and reproduction, paying tremendous dividends for an individual's progeny, may seemingly arise from thin air—so much so, even familiar species like the humble frui.....»»
Russia fines Google an impossible amount in attempt to end YouTube bans
Kremlin rep on fine of 2 undecillion rubles: "I cannot even say this number." Russia has fined Google an amount that no entity on the planet could pay in hopes of getting YouTube.....»»
Russia wants Google to pay a $20 decillion fine for blocking YouTube channels
Russia wants Google to pay a $20 decillion fine — that's 2 with 34 zeros — over YouTube channels being blocked. Russia wants Google to pay an unfathomable amount of money in fines: $20 decillion, reportedly. For the non-mathematicians out t.....»»
AI method captures ecotourism photos to monitor remote animal species
A team of computer scientists, ecologists and statisticians at Stony Brook University, working with a colleague from the U.S. Geological Survey, has found that it is possible to use AI applications to find images captured by ecotourists for use in st.....»»
Official Nintendo Music app debuts today to deliver 40-years of iconic tunes to your iPhone
Update: The new Nintendo Music app is now live on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. After stretching its P-wings a little bit into the (sort of) smart alarm clock world with the new Alarmo earlier this month, today the Mushroom Kingdom is mov.....»»
How researchers can maximize biological insights using animal-tracking devices
Biologgers allow us to see with unprecedented precision how animals move and behave in the wild. But that's only part of the picture, according to a UC Santa Cruz ecologist renowned for using biologging data to tell a deeper story about the lives of.....»»
Solar-powered animal cells: Combining chloroplasts from algae with hamster cells
Energy-making chloroplasts from algae have been inserted into hamster cells, enabling the cells to photosynthesize light, according to new research in Japan. It was previously thought that combining chloroplasts (chlorophyll containing structures in.....»»
Ecologists suggest animal alcohol consumption more common than thought
Anecdotes abound of wildlife behaving "drunk" after eating fermented fruits, but despite this, nonhuman consumption of ethanol has been assumed to be rare and accidental. Ecologists challenge this assumption in a review published October 30 in Trends.....»»
Vampire bats: Look beyond the fangs and blood to see animal friendships and unique adaptations
You can probably picture a vampire: Pale, sharply fanged undead sucker of blood, deterred only by sunlight, religious paraphernalia and garlic. They're gnarly creatures, often favorite subjects for movies or books. Luckily, they're only imaginary ….....»»
What animal societies can teach us about aging
Red deer may become less sociable as they grow old to reduce the risk of picking up diseases, while older house sparrows seem to have fewer social interactions as their peers die off, according to new research showing that humans are not the only ani.....»»
It’ll cost $10 to roll over your Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp save
Nintendo has announced the paid app for longtime Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp players, and it'll cost $10 for a limited time......»»
Animal shelter gets unpleasant surprise after seemingly abandoned kitten turns out to be aggressive wildcat
Animal shelter gets unpleasant surprise after seemingly abandoned kitten turns out to be aggressive wildcat.....»»
More social species live longer, study finds
New research from the University of Oxford has revealed that species that are more social live longer and produce offspring for a greater timespan. This is the first study on this topic which spans the animal kingdom, from jellyfish to humans......»»
Move along moose: Study reveals the "most Canadian" animals
What is the "most Canadian" animal? Spoiler: it's not the beaver, or the moose. Published in the journal The Canadian Field-Naturalist, the study from a team of Simon Fraser University researchers ranks, for the first time ever, species of terrestria.....»»