Researchers develop algorithms to understand how humans form body part vocabularies
Human bodies have similar designs. However, languages differ in the way they divide the body into parts and name them. For example, English speakers have two words for foot and leg, whereas other languages express the concepts foot and leg in one wor.....»»
How an iconic desert tree survives extreme heat—and the unique risk it"s facing now
New research has found that the punishing summer temperatures and persistent drought conditions in much of Arizona and the Southwest are dealing a double whammy to trees attempting to regulate their own temperature, putting a critical part of the des.....»»
Infrared quantum ghost imaging illuminates—but doesn"t disturb—living plants
A study published in the journal Optica demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. By employing a novel detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants with a ligh.....»»
California researchers find sea otter population helps stop invasion of green crabs
Though sea otters are an unofficial mascot of Monterey County and popular among tourists and locals alike, they are also described as voracious predators that help keep problematic invaders out of coastal waters......»»
Video: A biologist explains how animals move
For millennia, humans have observed and have been inspired by the ways that animals move. Some researchers theorize that paintings in famous caves like Chauvet and Lascaux, made more than 30,000 years ago, were designed to show the ways a horse might.....»»
Researchers develop faster hazardous spill response method
When responding to a hazardous spill, every second counts—and Purdue University researchers have found a way to maximize that time......»»
New chemical structures show vastly improved carbon capture ability
Oregon State University researchers have synthesized new molecules able to quickly capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, an important tactic in climate change mitigation......»»
Do animals get jealous like people? Researchers say it"s complicated
It's a question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries: Are we humans alone in our pursuit of fairness and the frustration we feel when others get what we want?.....»»
Scientists call for all-out, global effort to create an AI virtual cell
Noting that recent advances in artificial intelligence and the existence of large-scale experimental data about human biology have reached a critical mass, a team of researchers from Stanford University, Genentech, and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative.....»»
Dogs walked off-leash cause 20% more disturbance to protected lowland heaths, UK study finds
Researchers at Royal Holloway University of London have used GPS trackers to measure where dogs roamed during walks in lowland heaths in South-East England, home to several protected birds like the European nightjar and Dartford Warbler. They found t.....»»
Southern states brace for water changes, report finds
Water is everywhere. It falls freely from the sky and flows across the earth. Humans are inextricably connected to water and to forests. Changes in land use, forest conditions, and climate affect water – with consequences for drinking water treatme.....»»
Farmworkers adjust hours, locations to dodge wildfire smoke
Millions of cell tower pings from dating, weather, messaging and other mobile apps that use location-sharing services are helping agricultural economists better understand how farmworkers respond to environmental hazards such as wildfire smoke......»»
Barn swallow research offers real-time insight on how new species form
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder—even if that beholder is a barn swallow. Depending on where the birds live, some of them may favor mates with a paler chest color while others find a redder chest more attractive. The difference in what these bi.....»»
Neanderthal-human interbreeding lasted 7,000 years, new study reveals
A new analysis of DNA from ancient modern humans (Homo sapiens) in Europe and Asia has determined, more precisely than ever, the time period during which Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, starting about 50,500 years ago and lasting about 7,0.....»»
Ancient genomes link early Europeans to Neanderthal ancestry
After modern humans left Africa, they met and interbred with Neanderthals, resulting in around 2–3% Neanderthal DNA that can be found in the genomes of all people outside Africa today. However, little is known about the genetics of these first pion.....»»
Floods, insufficient water, sinking river deltas: Hydrologists map changing river landscapes across the globe
A study in Science by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Cincinnati has mapped 35 years of river changes on a global scale for the first time......»»
"Mirror bacteria" could pose serious global health risks
A group of researchers has published new findings in Science Policy Forum on potential risks from the development of mirror bacteria—synthetic organisms in which all molecules have reversed chirality (i.e., are "mirrored")......»»
More precise snowmelt forecasts thanks to high-resolution satellite data
SLF researchers have used satellite data to optimize their models, which they use to predict how much snow there is and when and where it will melt. This progress is important in order to be able to warn of floods and inundations in good time......»»
El Niño exacerbates effects of drought on Amazon groundwater and increases fire risk, study finds
The risk of fires in the Amazon is greater in regions where groundwater storage is compromised, especially when El Niño exacerbates the drought. Using satellite images and data from fires, researchers have been able to demonstrate the relationship b.....»»
South Dakota outbreak reveals potential H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats
University of Pittsburgh researchers have identified evidence of H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats. Work centered on a rural outbreak in South Dakota, where multiple cats died after showing neurological and respiratory symptoms......»»
ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode adding video and screen sharing input (plus a Santa mode)
OpenAI has unveiled two new ChatGPT features today as part of its 12 days of OpenAI campaign. Notably, ChatGPT is learning how to include video input and screen sharing in voice conversation. And while the firm is feeling festive, there’s a fun new.....»»