In a first, evolutionary biologists have identified a gene that influences visual preferences in tropical butterflies
Tropical Heliconius butterflies are well known for the bright color patterns on their wings. These striking color patterns not only scare off predators—the butterflies are poisonous and are distasteful to birds—but are also important signals duri.....»»
Smaller brains? Fewer friends? An evolutionary biologist asks how AI will change humanity"s future
What will humans be like generations from now in a world transformed by artificial intelligence (AI)? Plenty of thinkers have applied themselves to questions like this, considering how AI will alter lives—often for better, sometimes for worse......»»
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......»»
Decoding the structure of nano "gene ferries" to advance RNA drugs
LMU researchers have investigated how cationic polymers organize on a molecular level when transporting RNA drugs......»»
Aesthetics study examines music"s influence on experience of art
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, have investigated how the combination of music and images influences the aesthetic perception of art, and what role the deliberate correspondence.....»»
Fruit fly study offers new insights into sperm evolution
Sperm are the most diverse and rapidly evolving cell type. Why sperm have undergone such dramatic evolution is a mystery that has stumped biologists for more than a century......»»
Visualizations help make sense of supply chain processes
Sandy Dall'erba is on a mission to systematically complement his published scientific research with visual tools, so it can be seen and easily understood by lay people, including policymakers......»»
New model combines data to improve typhoon forecasting
Over the past few decades, because of the frequent number of typhoons making landfall in South China, the Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology has developed a model, called CMA-TRAMS, to provide operational forecasting products for.....»»
First successful test of wild minke whales reveals they have ultrasonic hearing
A team of marine biologists from Norway, the U.S. and Denmark has conducted the first hearing test of a live baleen whale. For their study published in the journal Science, the group corralled a pair of wild minke whales and recorded their brain wave.....»»
Gene regulation study reports surprising results: Extensive regions of DNA belong to multiple gene switches
Some sequences in the genome cause genes to be switched on or off. Until now, each of these gene switches, or so-called enhancers, was thought to have its own place on the DNA. Different enhancers are therefore separated from each other, even if they.....»»
"e-Drive": New gene drive reverses insecticide resistance in pests... then disappears
Insecticides have been used for centuries to counteract widespread pest damage to valuable food crops. Eventually, over time, beetles, moths, flies and other insects develop genetic mutations that render the insecticide chemicals ineffective......»»
Humpback whale nursery hotspot detected in Australian waters
Marine biologists from The University of Western Australia have recommended protection measures for a humpback whale nursery ground in the Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia's Pilbara region......»»
Gene expression shifts help explain how a shrew changes brain size to match the seasons
New research shows how the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus) changes its brain and bodily size throughout the year. The study, published online in eLife, reveals how changes in gene expression enable these small mammals to shrink their brain in.....»»
Charity campaigns are using outdated representations of Africa, says new paper
In a new paper, Dr. Edward Ademolu and Jess Crombie from University of the Arts London investigate the ethical complexities of international non-government organizations (INGO) representations. The research focuses specifically on how visual storytel.....»»
Scientists uncover cross-species neural mechanism for early detection of life motion in visual processing
Visual systems of both humans and animals can detect life motion from the environment at the earliest stage of visual processing, research by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) uncovered......»»
Southeast Asia coastline research highlights the pressures human activities place on tropical marine ecosystems
The tropical coastlines of Southeast Asia are home to some of the most important and biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. However, they are also among its most vulnerable, with areas of coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds under inc.....»»
Researchers unearth two previously unknown Linux backdoors
ESET researchers have identified multiple samples of two previously unknown Linux backdoors: WolfsBane and FireWood. The goal of the backdoors and tools discovered is cyberespionage that targets sensitive data such as system information, user credent.....»»
Google is giving Gemini AI a memory for your favorite things
Google Gemini will is adding a memory for preferences and the ability to redraw human art......»»
Plant biologists show how two genes work together to trigger embryo formation in rice
Rice is a staple food crop for more than half the world's population, but most farmers don't grow high-yielding varieties because the seeds are too expensive. Researchers from the University of California's Davis and Berkeley campuses have identified.....»»
The 8 best OLED monitors to buy in 2024: tested and reviewed
One should consider an OLED monitor for its superior color accuracy, deep blacks, and high contrast ratio, enhancing overall visual experience......»»
Heart cockles have windows in their shells to let in light for symbiotic algae
A team of marine biologists, ecologists and evolutionary specialists from the University of Chicago, Stanford University and Duke University has found that heart cockles have windows in their shells to allow in light needed by the algae that live ins.....»»