This Cow and Pig Influenza Virus Could Infect Humans: What We Know So Far
Influenza D is only known to sicken cattle and pigs, but it “has everything it needs” to jump into people.....»»
Rare Australian parrot faces multi-virus threat
A critically endangered parrot, with a population numbering as few as 70 in the wild, could be at further risk after being found to carry a half-dozen previously undetected viruses......»»
Toxic algae blooms: Study assesses potential health hazards to humans
Florida's 156-mile-long Indian River Lagoon (IRL) borders five different counties and has five inlets that connect the lagoon with the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary has recently experienced numerous phytoplankton bloom events due to increased seasonal.....»»
New rice lines for Africa offer virus protection
Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is responsible for high crop losses in Africa, particularly among small-scale farmers. A research team has now produced rice lines that are resistant to the disease by means of genome editing......»»
In the Wild West of corporate space travel, humans could return to the moon. But does it bring diplomatic challenges?
When Pittsburgh-based company Astrobiotic Technology launched its fuel-efficient, NASA-backed flight to the moon, hopes were high that it would be the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years. But a fuel leak resulted in the company pulling the.....»»
Kids start paying attention to accuracy at about age 4
Early on, they're likely to trust humans; a bit later, performance matters more. Enlarge / Why wouldn't you trust this little guy? He's so cute! (credit: Thamrongpat Theerathammakorn) Making mistakes is human, but it's n.....»»
Most of the land humans need to thrive is unprotected, new study finds
More than 80% of global land area needed to maintain human well-being and meet biodiversity targets is at risk of conflict with human development, according to a new study led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology......»»
The value of information gathering in phage–bacteria warfare
Phages, the viruses that infect bacteria, will pay a high growth-rate cost to access environmental information that can help them choose which lifecycle to pursue, according to a study......»»
NASA selects bold proposal to "swarm" Proxima Centauri with tiny probes
Humans have dreamed about traveling to other star systems and setting foot on alien worlds for generations. To put it mildly, interstellar exploration is a very daunting task. As we explored in a previous post, it would take between 1000 and 81,000 y.....»»
Large-scale mapping of pig genes could lead to greener agriculture, pave the way for new human medicines
Researchers from Aarhus University have carried out complex genetic analyses of hundreds of pigs and humans to identify differences and similarities. This new knowledge can be used to ensure healthier pigs for farmers and can help the pharmaceutical.....»»
Hackers can infect network-connected wrenches to install ransomware
Researchers identify 23 vulnerabilities, some of which can exploited with no authentication. Enlarge / The Rexroth Nutrunner, a line of torque wrench sold by Bosch Rexroth. (credit: Bosch Rexroth) Researchers have uneart.....»»
How fruit bats evolved to consume so much sugar may have implications for diabetes research
A high-sugar diet is bad news for humans, leading to diabetes, obesity and even cancer. Yet fruit bats survive and even thrive by eating up to twice their body weight in sugary fruit every day......»»
In the interests of animal welfare and public health, researchers make a case for improved farm animal conditions
Research shows that three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases are passed from animals to humans; an illness of this type is known as zoonosis (plural: zoonoses). Farm animals, especially pigs and poultry, pose a high risk of zoonotic infection......»»
When bad cells go good: Harnessing cellular cannibalism for cancer treatment
Scientists have solved a cellular murder mystery nearly 25 years after the case went cold. Following a trail of evidence from fruit flies to mice to humans revealed that cannibalistic cells likely cause a rare human immunodeficiency. Now the discover.....»»
From dusk to dawn, humans squeeze wildlife into temporal periphery
As human densities increase around the world, wildlife species are becoming more nocturnal to compensate. These adaptations allow wildlife to live in human-altered habitats but may result in unseen costs. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Co.....»»
Exposure to cigarette smoke found to increase cancer risk in dogs
Dogs are humans' best friends. Need to quickly locate a bomb? There's a dog for that. Can't see very well? There's a dog for that. Searching for a lost hiker in the mountains or survivors in an earthquake, diagnosing illness, comforting the bereft—.....»»
Chicken whisperers: Humans crack the clucking code
A University of Queensland-led study has found humans can tell if chickens are excited or displeased, just by the sound of their clucks......»»
Cracking the secrets of virus "uncoating" may help fight infections
Influenza and other viruses pack their genetic material into a protein shell, which must be disassembled for the viruses to efficiently replicate. But how viruses "uncoat" their genes remains largely unknown. Now, Friedrich Miescher Institute researc.....»»
Evolution might stop humans from solving climate change, researchers say
Central features of human evolution may stop our species from resolving global environmental problems like climate change, says a recent study led by the University of Maine......»»
This bird is like a GPS for honey
The honeyguide recognizes calls made by different human groups. Enlarge / A greater honeyguide (credit: Keabetswe Maposa) With all the technological advances humans have made, it may seem like we’ve lost touch with na.....»»
AI-created “virtual influencers” are stealing business from humans
Brands are turning to hyper-realistic, AI-generated influencers for promotions. Enlarge / Aitana Lopez, an AI-generated influencer, has convinced many social media users she is real. (credit: FT montage/TheClueless/GettyImages).....»»