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.....»»
Study suggests elephants remember zookeepers after many years
An elephant never forgets, as the saying goes. In fact, there is evidence that proboscideans still remember the waterholes they once visited decades later. They also often recognize fellow elephants that they have not encountered for a long time. But.....»»
Centuries ago, the Maya storm god Huracán taught that when we damage nature, we damage ourselves
The ancient Maya believed that everything in the universe, from the natural world to everyday experiences, was part of a single, powerful spiritual force. They were not polytheists who worshipped distinct gods but pantheists who believed that various.....»»
Preserving nature"s genetic resources: Wild banana relatives of mainland Southeast Asia reveal hidden diversity
In a new study, researchers have uncovered a wealth of hidden diversity among wild banana species in mainland Southeast Asia. The discovery, which has been published in PLoS ONE, highlights the critical importance of conserving these genetic resource.....»»
Researchers develop first banana plant resistant to TR4 and black sigatoka
Researchers have developed a banana plant that is resistant to both fusarium tropical race 4 (TR4) and black sigatoka, two of the most destructive diseases for bananas......»»
A 20-year struggle for environmental justice—and a public park—in one California city
Just up the road from Oakland and Berkeley, the city of Richmond is a minority and low-income community of 115,500 people—mainly Latino, Black and Asian American—with a major Chevron refinery whose pollution has been an ongoing source of conflict.....»»
Seal species carries "genetic scars" after being hunted to the edge of extinction, new research reveals
Northern Elephant seals have staged a remarkable comeback after narrowly escaping extinction by hunting, but new research reveals lasting genetic effects in the present population......»»
Fostering a love of stories in a child"s first years is key to lifelong reading, says researcher
Children's literacy rates are falling around the globe. In response, a number of governments, including New Zealand's, are overhauling the way reading is taught in primary school......»»
New physics needed? Experts suggest possibility of updating fundamental physics concepts
An unexpected finding about how our universe formed is again raising the question: do we need new physics? The answer could fundamentally change what physics students are taught in classes around the world......»»
Female elephants rumble to say "let"s go!" Namibian study shows males do too, a sign of unexpected social bonds
In elephant family groups made up of related females and their young, it is clear that the animals produce vocal sounds to coordinate action. This happens when it's time to leave a waterhole, for example. The matriarch or dominant female steps away f.....»»
Researchers test ChatGPT, other AI models against real-world students
William Hersh, M.D., who has taught generations of medical and clinical informatics students at Oregon Health & Science University, found himself curious about the growing influence of artificial intelligence. He wondered how AI would perform in his.....»»
Why do Asian consumers love luxury shopping?
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest consumer of personal luxury goods in the world. Asian consumers shop at home and overseas in cities like New York, Milan and Paris, contributing to the luxury industry's remarkable growth......»»
Soil nutrient levels associated with suppression of banana Fusarium wilt disease
Fusarium wilt poses a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly affecting the banana industry, where it is commonly known as banana Panama disease. As a result, enhancing soil-related resistance has emerged as a crucial, environmentally.....»»
Steve Biko"s murder exposed deep racism in how medicine was taught and practiced in South Africa
In 1966, Steve Biko began studying medicine at the University of Natal in South Africa, the same year that the general assembly of the United Nations declared apartheid a crime against humanity. As a young man, and a leading thinker, philosopher and.....»»
Study identifies areas of Europe at risk from dengue fever due to spread of Asian tiger mosquito
As Europe grapples with the growing threat of tropical diseases brought by the Asian tiger mosquito, a research breakthrough led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is enabling scientists to accurately predict towns across the continent.....»»
AI system identifies elephant trumpeting calls to improve safety for villagers
In an article published in the International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation researchers demonstrate how a trained algorithm can identify the trumpeting calls of elephants, distinguishing them from human and other animal sound.....»»
From challenge to champion: How Black and Asian women overcome barriers to career success
Black and Asian women are severely underrepresented in senior leadership positions in the UK. The obstacles they face, for example being overlooked or underestimated, often result in a perception that career success is beyond their reach. It's no sur.....»»
Northern elephant seals use deep-sea research sonar as dinner bell
Northern elephant seals were repeatedly captured on camera in the deep Pacific Ocean using sonar from an Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) observatory as a dinner bell to forage for their next fish feast, according to a new study led by University of Victo.....»»
Christa McAuliffe, still pioneering, is first woman with a statue on New Hampshire capitol grounds
Decades after she was picked to be America's first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe is still a pioneer—this time as the first woman to be memorialized on the grounds of New Hampshire's Statehouse, in the city where she taught high school......»»
Indonesia arrests man for selling rhino horn via social media
Indonesian authorities arrested a man trying to sell elephant tusks and the horns of critically endangered rhinos via social media......»»
A price on their heads? Implications of international trade for African hornbills in Cameroon
Tropical birds known for their massive bills, hornbills include 32 Asian and 27 African species in the avian family Bucerotidae. Many hornbills have a casque on their upper mandible, which in some species is spectacularly colorful. Many species also.....»»