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Categories: Ecology: Invasive Species, Engineering: Robotics Research
Published Plans to plant billions of trees threatened by massive undersupply of seedlings



Major government and private funding is being invested in planting trees as a powerful tool to fight climate change. But new research shows a troubling bottleneck that could threaten these efforts: U.S. tree nurseries don't grow close to enough trees--nor have the species diversity needed--to meet ambitious planting and restoration goals.
Published 3D display could soon bring touch to the digital world


Engineers have designed a new, shape-shifting display that can fit on a card table and allows users to draw 3D designs and more.
Published Reinforcement learning allows underwater robots to locate and track objects underwater


A team has shown that reinforcement learning -i.e., a neural network that learns the best action to perform at each moment based on a series of rewards- allows autonomous vehicles and underwater robots to locate and carefully track marine objects and animals.
Published This 3D printed gripper doesn't need electronics to function


This soft robotic gripper is not only 3D printed in one print, it also doesn't need any electronics to work.
Published 'Time-traveling' pathogens in melting permafrost pose likely risk to environment



Ancient pathogens that escape from melting permafrost have real potential to damage microbial communities and might potentially threaten human health, according to a new study.
Published Scientists vacuum animal DNA from air in a Danish forest



Over 60 animal species in three days. That is how many mammals, birds and amphibians researchers found DNA traces from in the air in a Danish forest. The results can pave the way for a new and innovative way of mapping biodiversity.
Published Researchers develop low-cost sensor to enhance robots' sense of touch


Researchers have developed an L3 F-TOUCH sensor to enhance tactile capabilities in robots, allowing it to 'feel' objects and adjust its grip accordingly.
Published New study reveals that tree species diversity increases spider density



The link between tree diversity and spider populations can help homeowners and other land managers better plan tree plantings to naturally mitigate the effects of climate change.
Published A simpler method for learning to control a robot


A new machine-learning technique can efficiently learn to control a robot, leading to better performance with fewer data.
Published Aphids make tropical milkweed less inviting to monarch butterflies



When oleander aphids infested tropical milkweed, monarch butterflies laid fewer eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars developing on those plants were slower to mature.
Published Climate change threatens 771 endangered plant and lichen species



All plants and lichens listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act are sensitive to climate change but there are few plans in place to address this threat directly, according to new research.
Published Genetic study reveals that a captive-bred population could save endangered crocodile from extinction



Performing a genetic evaluation on the largest captive-bred population of the critically endangered Orinoco crocodile, researchers have revealed that the population preserves much of its founder diversity and no inbreeding, making it suitable for implementing wild releases. Since this species is almost extinct in the wild, the news brings hope for the recovery of populations.
Published Robotic hand rotates objects using touch, not vision


Inspired by the effortless way humans handle objects without seeing them, engineers have developed a new approach that enables a robotic hand to rotate objects solely through touch, without relying on vision.
Published Western science catches up with First Nations' medicinal use of ant honey



Scientists have discovered the honey produced by Australian ants possesses unique anti-microbial activity against bacteria and fungi that could make the liquid useful medicinally.
Published Missing island explains how endemic species on the Miyako Islands emerged



Miyako Islands are home to various native species of snake and lizards. How these species came to call these islands home has long puzzled scientists. A group of researchers have compiled the latest geological and biological data, proposing that an island once facilitated migration between Okinawa and Miyako Islands.
Published Brown widow spiders: Invasive species prosper in favorable habitats and from a lack of local predators



Lower parasitism and predation in urban habitats may contribute to the invasion success of brown widow spiders, according to new research.
Published Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys



Scientists have discovered a new species of marine cryptofauna in the Florida Keys. Cryptofauna are the tiny, hidden, organisms that make up the majority of biodiversity in the ocean. The tiny crustaceans are the first new gnathiid isopod to be discovered from the Floridian ecoregion in 100 years and are named after singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
Published Robot preachers get less respect, fewer donations


As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them.
Published Miocene period fossil forest of Wataria found in Japan



An exquisitely preserved fossil forest from Japan provides missing links and helps reconstruct a whole Eurasia plant from the late Miocene epoch.
Published Allowing robots to explore on their own


Scientists have developed a suite of robotic systems and planners enabling robots to explore more quickly, probe the darkest corners of unknown environments, and create more accurate and detailed maps. The systems allow robots to do all this autonomously, finding their way and creating a map without human intervention.