Purple-crowned fairy wrens exhibiting unusual breeding behaviour
What gets birds in the mood to knock feathers? It's the unexpected question ecologists and researchers in central Kimberley have been faced with after witnessing an increase in purple-crowned fairy wrens breeding outside of their traditional season......»»
Magna, in unusual step, lowers 2026 outlook on EV uncertainty, contract assembly woes
Magna International took the unusual step of lowering its outlook for its 2026 financial performance as it grapples with automakers reducing, postponing or canceling electric vehicle plans amid soft sales growth......»»
Layered superconductor coaxed to show unusual properties with potential for quantum computing
A team led by researchers from the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has designed a unique material based on a conventional superconductor—that is, a substance that enables electrons to travel through it with zero resistance under certain co.....»»
The Purple Track at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games Has a Secret Ingredient
Recycled shells of mollusks native to the Mediterranean Sea were used to manufacture the synthetic floor of the athletics track, as part of the Games’ commitment to sustainability......»»
Genomewide prediction: A promising approach for improving russet formation in apple breeding programs
A research team has demonstrated that genomewide prediction is a promising approach for targeting russet formation in apple breeding programs. This method effectively predicts the russet trait, which is a complex quantitative trait controlled by many.....»»
Mass breeding of desert locusts unlocks new food source
Mass breeding of desert locusts in a controlled environment could provide a sustainable source of protein for animals and humans as well as business opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers say......»»
Inbred-parent–based cassava hybrids promise enhanced efficiency and resilience
A research team has proposed inbred-parent–based hybrid cassava breeding to overcome the challenges of heterozygous parent use, aiming to transform cassava breeding by purging deleterious mutations and utilizing heterosis. This approach leverages s.....»»
Winter breeding offers lifeline for monarch butterflies in Northern California
Monarch butterflies in Northern California are adapting to a changing climate by embracing an unexpected strategy: breeding in the winter. The shift could be key to the survival of the iconic insect, according to a new study published in the Journal.....»»
From tree holes to trash—the breeding behavior of a frog endemic to the Andman Islands of India
A team of biologists from the University of Delhi and Zoological Survey of India, Harvard University, and the University of Minnesota has discovered a unique breeding behavior in a species of frog endemic to the Andaman Islands of India. In a new stu.....»»
Webb images nearest super-Jupiter, opening a new window to exoplanet research
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an MPIA-led team of astronomers imaged a new exoplanet that orbits a star in the nearby triple system Epsilon Indi. The planet is a cold super-Jupiter exhibiting a temperature of around 0 degrees Celsius a.....»»
New liquid single nucleotide polymorphism chip can enhance rubber tree breeding
A research team developed and validated a liquid single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip named "HbGBTS80K," which includes 80,080 SNPs evenly distributed across 18 chromosomes. This SNP chip effectively distinguished 404 rubber accessions into four.....»»
Scientists uncover the molecular mechanism behind pineapple peel coloration
Pineapple peel coloration, especially the red hue, significantly enhances its commercial and aesthetic value. However, the genetic mechanisms driving this trait are not well understood, complicating breeding efforts for red-skinned varieties......»»
New hope for critically endangered Siamese crocodile
Sixty Siamese crocodiles, from five separate nests, have successfully hatched in Cambodia's Cardamom National Park—the largest record of this species breeding in the wild this century and a massive boost for the survival prospects of this criticall.....»»
Unlocking the genetic code of Amur grape: Insights into plant cold tolerance and evolution
The Amur grape, indigenous to eastern Asia, is known for its remarkable cold tolerance, able to withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. Despite its significant potential for breeding and agricultural applications, the absence of high-quality genomic.....»»
Study highlights potential for genetic manipulation in cucumber breeding
The CLAVATA (CLV) signaling pathway is crucial for controlling flower and fruit development by regulating the shoot apical meristem (SAM) size. Despite its significance, the downstream signaling components in crops remain largely unknown. Understandi.....»»
Observations detect a nearby hypervelocity stellar/substellar object
Using the Keck II telescope, astronomers have detected an object that may be a brown dwarf or a low-mass star, exhibiting a very high radial velocity. The object, designated CWISE J124909.08+362116.0 is located some 400 light years away. The finding.....»»
Almond genome study paves way for improved breeding strategies
A recent study has unlocked the genetic complexities of almonds, highlighting a significant degree of heterozygosity and the influence of structural variants on gene expression. The research rigorously delineates allele-specific expression patterns,.....»»
Enhancing ratoon rice yield and sustainability through innovative breeding and mechanization
A research team has reviewed the advancements and prospects of ratoon rice cultivation in China, highlighting its significant rise due to improved breeding methods and cultivation technology. They examined key aspects such as cultivar selection, stub.....»»
Beeline has become my favourite cycling navigation app
I remember being intrigued the first time I saw the Beeline Velo, with its unusual approach to navigation. Instead of showing you a moving map, it just displays an arrow pointing either directly to your destination, or to your next waypoint on a rout.....»»
Paving the way to extremely fast, compact computer memory
For decades, scientists have been studying a group of unusual materials called multiferroics that could be useful for a range of applications including computer memory, chemical sensors and quantum computers......»»
Protecting one of the world"s most threatened marine animals
Researchers from Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute have employed the latest genetic techniques to uncover critical breeding and reproductive knowledge about one of the world's most threatened marine animals—the sawfish......»»