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Categories: Offbeat: Plants and Animals, Physics: General
Published Evolutionary secrets of 'Old Tom' and the killer whales of Eden revealed by genetic study



Evolutionary biologists have for the first time decoded the genetic lineage of a famous killer whale and a pod that once worked alongside whale hunters off the coast of Australia. In the Australian tradition of claiming New Zealand's celebrities as its own, Old Tom, the leader of a pod of killer whales that famously helped whalers hunt baleen whales in the 20th century, has ancestral links to modern-day killer whales in New Zealand, according to new DNA research. Old Tom also shared a common ancestor with killer whales from Australasia, the North Pacific, and North Atlantic Oceans, but is most similar to modern New Zealand killer whales. However, most of Tom's DNA code is not found in other killer whales globally suggesting that the killer whales of Eden may have become extinct locally.
Published Bringing out the color in zinc



Researchers have synthesized a zinc complex based on two zinc centers that absorbs visible light. They demonstrated that this capability depends on the proximity of the zinc ions, where the complex responds to visible light when the zinc atoms are closer. This new property is expected to expand the utility of zinc, which already offers advantages including biological relevance, cost effectiveness, and low toxicity.
Published X-rays reveal microstructural fingerprints of 3D-printed alloy



Researchers took a novel approach to explore the way microstructure emerges in a 3D-printed metal alloy: They bombarded it with X-rays while the material was being printed.
Published Unifying matter, energy and consciousness



Understanding the interplay between consciousness, energy and matter could bring important insights to our fundamental understanding of reality.
Published Ionic crystal generates molecular ions upon positron irradiation, finds new study



The interaction between solid matter and positron (the antiparticle of electron) has provided important insights across a variety of disciplines, including atomic physics, materials science, elementary particle physics, and medicine. However, the experimental generation of positronic compounds by bombardment of positrons onto surfaces has proved challenging. In a new study, researchers detect molecular ion desorption from the surface of an ionic crystal when bombarded with positrons and propose a model based on positronic compound generation to explain their results.
Published Ginger pigment molecules found in fossil frogs


Palaeontologists discover molecular evidence of phaeomelanin, the pigment that produces ginger coloration. Phaeomelanin is now toxic to animals – this discovery may be first step in understand its evolution.
Published Twisted science: New quantum ruler to explore exotic matter



Researchers have developed a 'quantum ruler' to measure and explore the strange properties of multilayered sheets of graphene, a form of carbon. The work may also lead to a new, miniaturized standard for electrical resistance that could calibrate electronic devices directly on the factory floor, eliminating the need to send them to an off-site standards laboratory.
Published Bumblebees drop to shake off Asian hornets



Bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows.
Published New type of tiny wasp comes with mysterious, cloud-like structures at ends of antennae



Fossil researchers have discovered a novel genus and species of tiny wasp with a mysterious, bulbous structure at the end of each antenna.
Published Hippos' prominent tusks and wide gaping mouths prevent efficient, grinding chewing



Hippos' huge tusks and wide gape restrict grinding jaw movements, making their chewing inefficient, according to a new study.
Published New 'Assembly Theory' unifies physics and biology to explain evolution and complexity



An international team of researchers has developed a new theoretical framework that bridges physics and biology to provide a unified approach for understanding how complexity and evolution emerge in nature. This new work on 'Assembly Theory' represents a major advance in our fundamental comprehension of biological evolution and how it is governed by the physical laws of the universe.
Published Machine learning used to probe the building blocks of shapes



Applying machine learning to find the properties of atomic pieces of geometry shows how AI has the power to accelerate discoveries in maths.
Published Scientists develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries



Researchers have produced an engineered tissue representing a simplified cerebral cortex by 3D printing human stem cells. When implanted into mouse brain slices, the structures became integrated with the host tissue. The technique may ultimately be developed into tailored repairs to treat brain injuries.
Published Unique voice print in parrots



Individual voice could help birds be recognized in a flock, no matter what they say.
Published Lasers deflected using air



Using a novel method, beams of laser light can be deflected using air alone. An invisible grating made only of air is not only immune to damage from the laser light, but it also preserves the original quality of the beam.
Published Study on mysterious Amazon porcupine can help its protection



A recent study sheds new light on the elusive Roosmalens' dwarf porcupine, a poorly understood neotropical species. After 22 years of relative obscurity, this research uncovers vital information about its distribution, phylogenetics, and potential conservation threats, not only revealing its endemic presence in the Madeira biogeographical province but also expanding its known range in the southern Amazon.
Published Intense lasers shine new light on the electron dynamics of liquids



The behavior of electrons in liquids is crucial to understanding many chemical processes that occur in our world. Using advanced lasers that operate at the attosecond, a team of international researchers has revealed further insights into how electrons behave in liquids.
Published Skin behind the ears and between the toes can host a collection of unhealthy microbes



Scrubbing behind the ears and between the toes may help keep the skin in those regions healthy, new research suggests. The microbiome, or the collection of microbes living on and in the human body, are known to play a role in human health and the skin is no different. A new study has shown that the composition of the skin microbiome varies across dry, moist and oily regions of the skin.
Published Solving a sticky, life-threatening problem



Researchers have zeroed in on C. auris' uncanny ability to stick to everything from skin to catheters and made a startling discovery: it uses a protein similar to that used by barnacles and mollusks.
Published Polyps as pixels: Innovative technique maps biochemistry of coral reefs



Using an innovative new approach to sampling corals, researchers are now able to create maps of coral biochemistry that reveal with unprecedented detail the distribution of compounds that are integral to the healthy functioning of reefs.