Pang Pha, the Asian elephant, taught herself how to peel a banana
The elephant only peels yellow-brown bananas when alone, and can do so faster than humans. An elephant named Pang Pha learned how to peel a banana with her trunk—but only yellow-brown bananas. Credit: Kaufmann et al., 2023/Current.....»»
This elephant figured out how to use a hose to shower
A younger rival may have learned how to sabotage those showers by disrupting water flow. Mary the elephant shows off her hose-showering skills. Credit: Urban et al./Curren.....»»
Bees help tackle elephant-human conflict in Kenya
"We used to hate elephants a lot," Kenyan farmer Charity Mwangome says, pausing from her work under the shade of a baobab tree......»»
53 years of survey data confirm African elephant decline
Habitat loss and poaching have driven dramatic declines in African elephants, but it is challenging to measure their numbers and monitor changes across the entire continent. A new study has analyzed 53 years of population survey data and found large-.....»»
Stalling a disease that could annihilate banana production is a high-return investment in Colombia
There's no cure for a fungal disease that could potentially wipe out much of global banana production. Widespread adoption of cement paths, disinfection stations, and production strategies could net 3–4 USD of benefits for each dollar invested in C.....»»
Elephant seal numbers drop after avian flu outbreak: First report of transmission between marine mammals
The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Península Valdés, Argentina—but it's quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000.....»»
Critically endangered Sumatran elephant calf born in Indonesia
A critically endangered Sumatran elephant has been born in Indonesia, officials said Tuesday, another rare birth that has given renewed hope to conservation efforts......»»
How to boost Asian American voter turnout in Los Angeles: A new study points the way
Improving the quality of translated voting materials, broadening government outreach to potential voters and increasing the number of in-person voting sites are key to boosting voter turnout among Asian Americans in Los Angeles, according to a newly.....»»
Nigeria"s last elephants: What must be done to save them?
Nigeria has a unique elephant population, made up of both forest-dwelling (Loxodonta cyclotis) and savanna-dwelling (Loxodonta africana) elephant species. But the animals are facing unprecedented threats to their survival. In about 30 years, Nigeria'.....»»
Are bioplastics really the wonder alternative to petro plastics?
Alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics are emerging, made from everything from banana leaves to tomato skins, especially for food packaging......»»
African giant rats trained to sniff out illegal wildlife products
In the past, African giant pouched rats have learned to detect explosives and the tuberculosis-causing pathogen. Now, a team of researchers have trained these rats to pick up the scent of pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and African black.....»»
Beehive fences prove effective against elephant raids in Kenya
A groundbreaking, nine-year study has revealed that elephants approaching small-scale farms in Kenya avoid beehive fences housing live honey bees up to 86% of the time during peak crop seasons, helping to reduce human-elephant conflict for local farm.....»»
Advanced imaging uncovers 12 new weevil species
Jake Lewis, an entomologist in the Environmental Science and Informatics Section at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is fascinated by weevils, a diverse group of beetles that includes many species with elephant trunk-like mouth.....»»
A next-generation catalog of cultivated bananas
A new research paper presents a cutting-edge catalog of banana diversity, utilizing innovative genomic techniques to trace the ancestral origins of various banana cultivars. The study involved collaboration between multiple institutions, and includes.....»»
Ford earnings: This is the elephant in the room for automaker
Ford earnings: This is the elephant in the room for automaker.....»»
15 Seconds Faster Detection that Sets a New Standard — Siterwell Unveils New Combo Smoke & CO Detector
There are many ways to protect your home, and a good smart smoke detector like the Siterwell could be one of them. The post 15 Seconds Faster Detection that Sets a New Standard — Siterwell Unveils New Combo Smoke & CO Detector appeared first on Pha.....»»
Is America ready for a woman president? Voters" attitudes to women politicians are radically different from a decade ago
If U.S. voters elect Kamala Harris—a Black, Asian American woman—president, it would be historic on multiple levels. This is now a real possibility due to voters' positively evolving stereotypes of women politicians......»»
Rare fossils of extinct elephant document the earliest known instance of butchery in India
During the late middle Pleistocene, between 300 and 400 thousand years ago, at least three ancient elephant relatives died near a river in the Kashmir Valley of South Asia. Not long after, they were covered in sediment and preserved along with 87 sto.....»»
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander People Need Better Health Data
Separating medical data from culturally distinct Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) groups can improve health outcomes.....»»
Scientists apply ancient construction methods to help fabricate modern microparticles
Inspired by the ancient East Asian method of constructing wooden structures using a "tongue and groove" technique, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists have developed a new approach to fabricating advanced ceramic mi.....»»
Giant prehistoric elephant skull from India belongs to mysterious extinct species
The giant fossil skull of an extinct elephant, discovered in northern India's Kashmir Valley in 2000, sheds light on a poorly known episode in elephant evolutionary history......»»