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Categories: Biology: Zoology, Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published Shining a light on tiny, solar-powered animals
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Acoels have been found to host a wide diversity of symbiotic, photosynthetic microalgae.
Published Bewick's swans choose wintering areas based on the weather
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Bewick’s swans fly less far during their autumn migration when the weather is warm. Climate change has therefore led to a shift in their common wintering areas. Now, for the first time, bird researchers have been able to use long-term GPS data to pinpoint the specific choices that individual swans make.
Published Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Mammals living in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park, home to one of the world's largest remaining lion populations, are far more afraid of hearing human voices than lion vocalizations or hunting sounds such as dogs barking or gunshots.
Published Survival of the newest: the mammals that survive mass extinctions aren't as 'boring' as scientists thought
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source For decades, scientists have assumed that mammals and their relatives that survived challenging times (like those during mass extinctions) made it because they were generalists that were able to eat just about anything and adapt to whatever life threw at them. A new study into the mammal family tree through multiple mass extinctions revealed that the species that survived aren't as generic as scientists had thought: instead, having new and different traits can be the key to succeeding in the aftermath of a catastrophe.
Published New research may make future design of nanotechnology safer with fewer side effects
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study may offer a strategy that mitigates negative side effects associated with intravenous injection of nanoparticles commonly used in medicine.
Published Ruffed grouse population more resilient than expected, genetic study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Despite decades of decline, a genetic analysis of ruffed grouse reveals that Pennsylvania's state bird harbors more genetic diversity and connectivity than expected. The findings suggest that the iconic game bird could be maintained in persistent numbers if appropriate protections are implemented.
Published New type of tiny wasp comes with mysterious, cloud-like structures at ends of antennae
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Fossil researchers have discovered a novel genus and species of tiny wasp with a mysterious, bulbous structure at the end of each antenna.
Published Meadow Spittlebug's record-breaking diet also makes it top disease carrier for plants
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research fueled in part by citizen scientists reveals that the meadow spittlebug—known for the foamy, spit-like urine released by its nymphs—can feed on at least 1,300 species of host plants, more than twice the number of any other insect.
Published Invertebrate biodiversity is improving in England's rivers, long-term trends show
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Rivers across England have seen a significant improvement in river invertebrate biodiversity since 1989, shows a new study.
Published Bird species changing faster than expected in protected areas
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A recent study has found that bird communities inside and outside protected areas are beginning to resemble each other as a result of climate change. In both areas, southern species increase in abundance, while northern species decrease.
Published Birders and AI push bird conservation to the next level
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used to model hidden patterns in nature, not just for one bird species, but for entire ecological communities across continents. And the models follow each species’ full annual life cycle, from breeding to fall migration to non-breeding grounds, and back north again during spring migration.
Published These robots helped explain how insects evolved two distinct strategies for flight
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Robots helped achieve a major breakthrough in our understanding of how insect flight evolved. The study is a result of a six-year long collaboration between roboticists and biophysicists.
Published Extreme fires and heavy rainfall driving platypuses from their homes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Australia's emerging pattern of severe mega bushfires and heavy rainfall may be driving platypuses from their homes, a new study has shown. Analysis of platypus DNA in rivers and creek water samples collected before and after the Black Summer 2019-2020 megafires suggest Australia's beloved semi-aquatic monotremes might be abandoning severely bushfire-affected areas for up to 18 months after a fire, especially if heavy rainfall has followed the fire.
Published Insect cyborgs: Towards precision movement
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Insect cyborgs may sound like something straight out of the movies, but hybrid insect computer robots, as they are scientifically called, could pioneer a new future for robotics. It involves using electrical stimuli to control an insect’s movement. Now, an international research group has conducted a study on the relationship between electrical stimulation in stick insects' leg muscles and the resulting torque (the twisting force that causes the leg to move).
Published Unique voice print in parrots
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Individual voice could help birds be recognized in a flock, no matter what they say.
Published Bioengineering breakthrough increases DNA detection sensitivity by 100 times
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have pushed forward the boundaries of biomedical engineering one hundredfold with a new method for DNA detection with unprecedented sensitivity.
Published Wearable sensor to monitor 'last line of defense' antibiotic
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have combined earlier work on painless microneedles with nanoscale sensors to create a wearable sensor patch capable of continuously monitoring the levels of a ‘last line of defense’ antibiotic.
Published Gut bacteria found in wild wolves may be key to improving domestic dogs' health
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Gut microbes found in wild wolves may be the key to alleviating a debilitating gastrointestinal condition common to domestic dogs.
Published DNA from discarded whale bones suggests loss of genetic diversity due to commercial whaling
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Commercial whaling in the 20th century decimated populations of large whales but also appears to have had a lasting impact on the genetic diversity of today’s surviving whales, new research shows.
Published Pheromones influence death feigning behavior in beetles
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In the natural world, predators play a significant role in shaping how animals defend themselves. A previously documented tactic called 'death feigning' involves prey insects faking death when targeted by predators. However, the impact of chemical substances called pheromones on death-feigning remains largely unexplored. A team of researchers recently found out how the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal affects the death-feigning behavior of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.