These bats deter predators by buzzing like hornets
In Batesian mimicry, a harmless species imitates a more dangerous one in an evolutionary "ruse" that affords the mimic protection from would-be predators. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on May 9, 2022, have discovered the first case of.....»»
Radioactive rhinoceros horns may deter poaching
Through a collaboration between Texas A&M University, University of Witwatersrand, Colorado State University and others, the Rhisotope Project, a South African organization dedicated to rhinoceros protection, is pioneering the incorporation of radioa.....»»
Ghosts of species past: Shedding new light on the demise of NZ"s moa can help other flightless birds
New Zealand was once home to giant flightless birds called moa. They had grown accustomed to life without predators. So the arrival of humans in the mid-13th century presented a massive—and ultimately insurmountable—challenge to their existence......»»
Ladybugs: Understanding the beneficial predators among us
Lady beetles, also known as ladybugs, are distinct, varied and abundant, with approximately 500 species in North America and 6,000 worldwide. Their oval, dome-shaped bodies can be colorful and decorative, but the "lady" designation has nothing to do.....»»
A stealth fungus has decimated North American bats, but scientists may be a step closer to treating white-nose syndrome
An invasive fungus that colonizes the skin of hibernating bats with deadly consequences is a stealthy invader that uses multiple strategies to slip into the small mammals' skin cells and quietly manipulate them to aid its own survival. The fungus, wh.....»»
Researchers listen to the hearts of bats in flight
Researchers from Konstanz have measured the heart rate of bats over several days in the wild, including complete flights—the first time this has been done for a bat species. To record the heart rate of male common noctule bats during flight, the sc.....»»
How studying bat viruses can help prevent zoonotic disease
Bats have become the poster child of emerging zoonotic disease. The creatures harbor a vast array of viruses—some of which cause deadly diseases in humans—yet they rarely get sick themselves......»»
What does AI mean for Australian democracy? And what can we do about it?
Last week, the head of Australia's election regulator warned the organization "does not possess the legislative tools or internal technical capability to deter, detect or adequately deal with false AI-generated content concerning the election process.....»»
Biologists discover caterpillars are able to sense electrostatic fields generated by predators
Sam England and Daniel Robert, biologists at the University of Bristol, report that at least three types of caterpillars are capable of sensing and responding to an electrostatic field generated by a predator......»»
Tiger beetles fight off bat attacks with ultrasonic mimicry
Bats, as the main predator of night-flying insects, create a selective pressure that has led many of their prey to evolve an early warning system of sorts: ears uniquely tuned to high-frequency bat echolocation. To date, scientists have found at leas.....»»
Dice snakes found to use a variety of techniques to more effectively fake their own deaths
A pair of biologists at the University of Belgrade, in Serbia, has found that dice snakes use a variety of techniques to fool predators into believing they have died. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Vukašin Bjelica and Ana G.....»»
Judge questions Apple"s commitment to App Store payment alternatives
A federal judge has raised concerns about whether Apple has overly complex barriers that could deter the usage of alternative payment methods in iPhone apps.Judge questions Apple's commitment to App Store payment alternativesJudge Yvonne Gonzalez Rog.....»»
Hornets found to be primary pollinators of two Angelica species
Researcher Ko Mochizuki of the University of Tokyo discovered that two species in the genus Angelica are pollinated primarily by hornets. This overturns the conventional belief that Angelica species are "generalists," meaning that there is not one pr.....»»
Apple Pencil coming on May 7 could buzz users with haptic feedback
The next generation of Apple Pencil could have haptic feedback, buzzing a user's fingers as they draw and write.The first and second-generation Apple PencilApple's holding a special event on May 7, which is expected to include updates to the iPad lin.....»»
Hornet"s torque powers ads
Dodge sold about 17,000 Hornets in the crossover's first year on sale in the U.S. and it working to build more buzz with an ad campaign that started this month......»»
A key gene helps explain how the ability to glide has emerged over-and-over during marsupial evolution
People say "When pigs fly" to describe the impossible. But even if most mammals are landlubbers, the ability to glide or fly has evolved again and again during mammalian evolution, in species ranging from bats to flying squirrels. How did that come a.....»»
Same species, different sizes: Rare evolution in action spotted in island bats
A University of Melbourne researcher has spotted a rare evolutionary phenomenon happening rapidly in real time in bats living in the Solomon Islands......»»
Africa is full of bats, but their fossils are scarce—why these rare records matter
Africa is home to more than 20% of the world's bat population. There are more than 200 species to be found on the continent. South Africa is particularly diverse, with 72 bat species......»»
Study investigates coronavirus dynamics in bats: Lower biodiversity means more pathogens
The loss of biodiversity poses a challenge for nature and humans alike. A study led by Ulm University shows that a decline in biodiversity promotes the spread of potentially zoonotic pathogens......»»
Research team shows island bats are valuable allies for farmers
A new study has highlighted how bats can be valuable allies for farmers, by feeding on important agricultural pests. The findings demonstrate that encouraging bat species can be a win-win for both conservation efforts and local farmers......»»
Wind energy and bat conservation: Scientists call for the global application of measures to reduce fatalities
The construction of wind turbines as a cornerstone for the production of climate-friendly electricity is rapidly increasing all over the world—and everywhere this results in major challenges for bats, which die directly at the turbines or lose valu.....»»