Why cats meow at humans more than each other
This is a story that goes back thousands of years......»»
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.....»»
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......»»
Are catnip and treats like it safe for cats? Here"s how they affect their minds and moods
Cats kept indoors can live a good life when they get access to a variety of positive experiences. Examples include performing natural behaviors, feeling safe at home and using their full sensory capabilities, including their sense of smell......»»
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......»»
Won"t my cat get bored if I keep it inside? Here"s how to ensure it"s happy
The Australian and American Veterinary Medical Associations recommend keeping cats indoors because they, and wildlife, will be safer......»»
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).....»»
Researchers find large diversity of protists in the Parabasalia phylum in both mice and humans
A team of pathologists, geneticists, immunologists and engineers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, has found a previously unrecognized diversity of protists in the Parabasalia phylum in both mice and humans. In their paper published on t.....»»
Safety of aquatic animals as human protein sources amid SARS-CoV-2 concerns
Aquatic animals have historically constituted a vital and nutritious dietary component for humans, contributing to nearly 20% of animal protein intake for approximately 3.3 billion people. Unlike terrestrial animals, there has been no evidence indica.....»»
"What"s on today"s menu?": Why it"s important to study the trophic behavior of local predators
Trophic ecology is the study of the food chain. On Tenerife in the Canary Islands, feral cats feast chiefly on rabbits, mice, rats, and native birds and reptiles. But new research shows that since 1986, the island's wild cats have experienced a signi.....»»
A chemically defined, xeno-free culture system for culturing and deriving monkey pluripotent stem cells in vitro
Non-human primates (NHPs) have a high degree of similarity to humans compared to other animal models. These similarities manifest at the genetic, physiological, socio-behavioral, and central nervous system levels, making NHPs uniquely suitable for re.....»»
Corvids seem to handle temporary memories the way we do
Birds show evidence that they lump temporary memories into categories. Enlarge / A jackdaw tries to remember what color it was thinking of. (credit: Frans Buiter / 500px) Humans tend to think that we are the most intelli.....»»
Robots vs. humans: Which do children trust more when learning new information?
In this digital age, children are exposed to overwhelming amounts of information online, some of it unverified and increasingly generated by non-human sources, such as AI-driven language models. As children grow older, the ability to assess a source'.....»»
Watch this AI robot beat a human world record in Labyrinth, a wooden marble game
Researchers at ETH Zurich have designed an AI robot that can play the wooden Labyrinth game faster than the human world record. Here's how they did it. We all know AI can regularly beat humans at intellectual games like chess. But now, AI has p.....»»