Wild and feral cats found to shed more toxoplasmosis parasites in areas densely populated by humans
A new analysis suggests that wild, stray, and feral cats living in areas with higher human population density tend to release—or "shed"—a greater amount of the parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis. The study also draws links between env.....»»
Wildfires in radioactive areas found to heighten river contamination risks
Wildfires in radiologically contaminated areas pose substantial risks, such as the redistribution of radionuclides and increased radiation exposure for residents. A team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba investigated the effects of a larg.....»»
Ancient genes pinpoint when humans and Neanderthals mixed and mingled
Neanderthals and humans likely mixed and mingled during a narrow time frame 45,000 years ago, scientists reported Thursday......»»
The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, researcher says
Most of what we know about humans living to very old age is based on faulty data, including the science behind the "blue zones" famous for having a high proportion of people over 100, according to one researcher......»»
Climate change and land use practices threaten traditional food sources in Russia"s Far East
Climate change and land-use practices could significantly alter the make-up and availability of wild traditional foods in the vast Russian Far East, a region that is home to many Indigenous Peoples who depend on those native foods......»»
New housing developments failing to protect wildlife, survey reveals
New housing developments are failing wildlife on a widespread scale, according to research from the University of Sheffield and published by campaign group Wild Justice......»»
Giraffes" uphill battle: Slopes more than 20° pose challenges for their conservation
New research finds that giraffes much prefer flat terrain and do not traverse slopes of more than 20°, which severely limits the areas in, and outside, protected reserves they can access. The findings, which are yet to be published, were presented a.....»»
Raw milk from California dairy linked to cat deaths from bird flu in Los Angeles County
Raw milk recalled from a Fresno County dairy is suspected in the deaths of two cats in Los Angeles County, health officials said Thursday......»»
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.....»»
Thousands of wild birds are dying of bird flu in Boise area, Idaho Fish and Game says
Wild birds are dying by the thousands in the Treasure Valley because of avian flu outbreaks, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game......»»
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?.....»»
Plutonium isotope anomalies discovered in Southern Hemisphere glaciers
The results of the newest investigations carried out by scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN shed new light on the processes of accumulation of plutonium isotopes on glaciers of the Southern Hemisphere. Analyses of samples of cryoconi.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»
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......»»
Conservation leads to benefits: Large marine protected areas are boosting fish catch rates
Increases in catch rates for fish such as tuna have been demonstrated near recently created Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas (LSMPAs), including Revillagigedo in Mexico. This shows that LSPMAs are large enough to protect highly migratory species su.....»»
Apple Wallet digital IDs are now available in 10 areas. Here are the newest ones
Access to Digital IDs and driver's licenses through Apple Wallet is coming to two more locations — and the total number of supported areas has increased to 10......»»
Studies pin down exactly when humans and Neanderthals swapped DNA
We may owe our tiny sliver of Neanderthal DNA to just a couple of hundred Neanderthals. Two recent studies suggest that the gene flow (as the young people call it these days) betw.....»»
Counting Uganda"s lions: We found that wildlife rangers do a better job than machines
Lions are a symbol of Africa's last wild places. It's a species central to many of the continent's cultures and religions. But lion populations have reportedly declined over the past 50 years, especially in parts of west and east Africa......»»
Human settlement of Mars isn"t as far off as you might think
Could humans expand out beyond their homeworld and establish settlements on the planet Mars? The idea of settling the red planet has been around for decades. However, it has been seen by skeptics as a delusion at best and mere bluster at worst......»»