Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Fishing in synchrony brings mutual benefits for dolphins and people in Brazil, research shows      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By working together, dolphins and net-casting fishers in Brazil each catch more fish, a rare example of an interaction by two top predators that is beneficial to both parties, researchers have concluded following 15 years of study of the practice.

Biology: Developmental Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

This groundbreaking biomaterial heals tissues from the inside out      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new biomaterial that can be injected intravenously, reduces inflammation in tissue and promotes cell and tissue repair. The biomaterial was tested and proven effective in treating tissue damage caused by heart attacks in both rodent and large animal models. Researchers also provided proof of concept in a rodent model that the biomaterial could be beneficial to patients with traumatic brain injury and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: Biodiversity Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a huge challenge for global biodiversity and affects humanity by causing problems in food production. Researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot equipped with artificial muscle. Could this artificial fairy be utilized in pollination?

Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

AI technology generates original proteins from scratch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have created an AI system capable of generating artificial enzymes from scratch. In laboratory tests, some of these enzymes worked as well as those found in nature, even when their artificially generated amino acid sequences diverged significantly from any known natural protein.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Versatile robo-dog runs through the sandy beach at 3 meters per second      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Meet the new addition to the robo-dog family, 'RaiBo', that can run along the sandy beach without losing balance and walk through grassy fields and back on the hard-floored tracking fields all on its own -- no further tinkering necessary.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Person-shaped robot can liquify and escape jail, all with the power of magnets      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Inspired by sea cucumbers, engineers have designed miniature robots that rapidly and reversibly shift between liquid and solid states. On top of being able to shape-shift, the robots are magnetic and can conduct electricity. The researchers put the robots through an obstacle course of mobility and shape-morphing tests.

Biology: Evolutionary Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: General
Published

What crocodile DNA reveals about the Ice Age      (via sciencedaily.com) 

What drives crocodile evolution? Is climate a major factor or changes in sea levels? Determined to find answers to these questions, researchers discovered that while changing temperatures and rainfall had little impact on the crocodiles' gene flow over the past three million years, changes to sea levels during the Ice Age had a different effect.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Fish sensory organ key to improving navigational skills of underwater robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have been studying a fish sensory organ to understand cues for collective behavior which could be employed on underwater robots.

Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Humans can recognize and understand chimpanzee and bonobo gestures, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Humans retain an understanding of gestures made by other great apes, even though we no longer use them ourselves, according to a new study.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Published

Altered speech may be the first sign of Parkinson's disease      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers attempted to identify early symptoms of Parkinson's disease using voice data. In their study, the researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and assess speech signals, where calculations are done and diagnoses made in seconds rather than hours.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New soft robots poised to be more agile, controlled      (via sciencedaily.com) 

One of the virtues of untethered soft robots is their ability to mechanically adapt to their surroundings and tasks. Now they are poised to become even more agile and controlled.

Biology: Microbiology Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

First computational reconstruction of a virus in its biological entirety      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A researcher has created a computer reconstruction of a virus, including its complete native genome. Although other researchers have created similar reconstructions, this is believed to be the first to replicate the exact chemical and 3D structure of a 'live' virus.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

'Smart' walking stick could help visually impaired with groceries, finding a seat      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For people who are blind or visually impaired, finding the right products in a crowded grocery store can be difficult without help. A team of computer scientists is trying to change that.

Biology: Microbiology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Parasitic mites' biting rate may drive transmission of Deformed wing virus in honey bees      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite that can cause European honey bee colonies to collapse by spreading Deformed wing virus as they feed. A study suggests a relatively small number of mites can contribute to a large number of infected bees.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Researchers uncover 92 fossil nests belonging to some of India's largest dinosaurs      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The discovery of more than 250 fossilized eggs reveals intimate details about the lives of titanosaurs in the Indian subcontinent, according to a new study.

Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Fossils
Published

Mummified crocodiles provide insights into mummy-making over time      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Crocodiles were mummified in a unique way at the Egyptian site of Qubbat al-Hawa during the 5th Century BC, according to a new study.

Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Blowing bubbles among echidna's tricks to beat the heat      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research into how echidnas might respond to a warming climate has found clever techniques used by the animal to cope with heat, including blowing bubbles to wet its nose tip, with the moisture then evaporating and cooling its blood.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

A precision arm for miniature robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Until now, microscopic robotic systems have had to make do without arms. Now researchers have developed an ultrasonically actuated glass needle that can be attached to a robotic arm. This lets them pump and mix minuscule amounts of liquid and trap particles.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Feathered robotic wing paves way for flapping drones      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Birds fly more efficiently by folding their wings during the upstroke, according to a recent study. The results could mean that wing-folding is the next step in increasing the propulsive and aerodynamic efficiency of flapping drones.