Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Biodiversity Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Threatened sharks and rays caught off Cyprus      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Sharks and rays from threatened species are being caught off northern Cyprus, according to a new study by scientists who are working with local authorities and fishers to protect the animals.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Ecology: Extinction Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Crust-forming algae are displacing corals in tropical waters worldwide      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Over the past few decades, algae have been slowly edging corals out of their native reefs across the globe by blocking sunlight, wearing the corals down physically, and producing harmful chemicals. But in recent years, a new type of algal threat has surfaced in tropical regions like the Caribbean -- one that spreads quickly and forms a crust on top of coral and sponges, suffocating the organisms underneath and preventing them from regrowing. Marine biologists report that peyssonnelioid alga crusts, or PACs, are expanding quickly across reefs worldwide, killing off corals and transforming entire ecosystems.

Ecology: Invasive Species
Published

An exotic tick that can kill cattle is spreading across Ohio      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A species of exotic tick arrived in Ohio in 2021 in such huge numbers that their feeding frenzy on a southeastern farm left three cattle dead of what researchers believe was severe blood loss. The scientists have reported on the state's first known established population of Asian longhorned ticks, and are now conducting research focused on monitoring and managing these pests.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

AI should be better understood and managed -- new research warns      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithms can and are being used to radicalize, polarize, and spread racism and political instability, says an academic. An expert argues that AI and algorithms are not just tools deployed by national security agencies to prevent malicious activity online, but can be contributors to polarization, radicalism and political violence -- posing a threat to national security.

Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Buzz around new centralized pollination portal for better global bee data      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A powerful new way to fill major gaps in public bee data -- including from Africa, Asia and other under-reported zones -- has been addressed with a centralized tool for consolidating bee pollinator occurrences around the globe.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Published

Nanowire 'brain' network learns and remembers 'on the fly'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Like a collection of 'Pick Up Sticks', this neural network has passed a critical step for developing machine intelligence. For the first time, a physical neural network has successfully been shown to learn and remember 'on the fly', in a way inspired by and similar to how the brain's neurons work. The result opens a pathway for developing efficient and low-energy machine intelligence for more complex, real-world learning and memory tasks.

Biology: Botany Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Australasia's hidden pollination crisis could threaten biodiversity and food security      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Australasia's hidden pollination crisis, mirroring global threats, could pose a significant risk to regional biodiversity and food security, new research has found.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mathematics: Modeling
Published

The brain may learn about the world the same way some computational models do      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New studies support the idea that the brain uses a process similar to a machine-learning approach known as 'self-supervised learning.' This type of machine learning allows computational models to learn about visual scenes based solely on the similarities and differences between them, with no labels or other information.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Invasive Species
Published

Two bee species become one as researchers solve identity puzzle      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has found that what were thought to be two different species of native Australian bee are in fact one.

Biology: General Biology: Marine Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Increasing risk of invasive species colonization on marine debris      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A groundbreaking scientific study conducted along the Southeast coast of India has unearthed a pressing environmental concern -- the increasing risk of invasive species colonization on marine debris. The research delves into the critical interplay between plastic pollution and the introduction of non-indigenous organisms into Indian waters.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Robot stand-in mimics movements in VR      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a souped-up telepresence robot that responds automatically and in real-time to a remote user's movements and gestures made in virtual reality.

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

Engineers develop breakthrough 'robot skin'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Smart, stretchable and highly sensitive, a new soft sensor opens the door to a wide range of applications in robotics and prosthetics. When applied to the surface of a prosthetic arm or a robotic limb, the sensor skin provides touch sensitivity and dexterity, enabling tasks that can be difficult for machines such as picking up a piece of soft fruit. The sensor is also soft to the touch, like human skin, which helps make human interactions safer and more lifelike. 

Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees
Published

Even treated wood prevents bacterial transmission by hand      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

According to a new study, surface treatment and moisture affect the antibacterial properties of wood. Based on the findings, treated wood should be increasingly used as surface material.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

Vision via sound for the blind      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Smart glasses that use a technique similar to a bat's echolocation could help blind and low-vision people navigate their surroundings, according to researchers. 

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Published

Can AI grasp related concepts after learning only one?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have now developed a technique that advances the ability of these tools, such as ChatGPT, to make compositional generalizations. This technique, Meta-learning for Compositionality, outperforms existing approaches and is on par with, and in some cases better than, human performance.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life
Published

Tiny spirits roam the corals of Japan -- two new pygmy squids discovered      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Named after Japanese folklore, two cephalopod species have been discovered in the coastal waters of the Okinawa Islands.  

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

Plant-based materials give 'life' to tiny soft robots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has created smart, advanced materials that will be the building blocks for a future generation of soft medical microrobots. These tiny robots have the potential to conduct medical procedures, such as biopsy, and cell and tissue transport, in a minimally invasive fashion.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

Adaptive optical neural network connects thousands of artificial neurons      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists working with computer specialists have developed a so-called event-based architecture, using photonic processors. In a similar way to the brain, this makes possible the continuous adaptation of the connections within the neural network.