Plants & Animals

Chimpanzees use Rapid Gestures, Much Like Human Conversations

Credit: PixabayWhen people converse, they quickly take turns speaking and sometimes interrupt each other. Researchers who have compiled the largest dataset of chimpanzee "conversations" have discovered that chimps also communicate using gestures in a similarly rapid manner. These findings, reported on July 22 in Current Biology, reveal that chimpanzees follow a rapid-fire pattern similar...

Study Shows Elephants use Names for each Other, Like Humans

Credit: PixabayResearchers at Colorado State University have found that elephants respond to being called by name, using name-like calls to address each other. This behavior, observed in wild African elephants, represents a unique ability among nonhuman animals, according to a new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution.Researchers from CSU, Save the Elephants, and ElephantVoices...

Why Don’t We Eat Carnivores?

Credit: CanvasWe eat many animals like cows, pigs, chickens, deer, and rabbits. But most of these animals don’t eat other animals. Instead, they are herbivores or omnivores. So why do we avoid eating carnivores?1. Safety ConcernsOne reason is safety. Carnivores might carry more parasites, microbes, and heavy metals because they eat other animals. Each...

Sapphire Tower Plant Blooms Once in 20 years.

The reason behind the sapphire tower's name is quite evident. Image Credit: HannaTor/Shutterstock.comIn the natural world, there are events that demand patience. Take the upcoming American cicadapocalypse, for instance, which might not grab headlines. On the flip side, over in Birmingham, UK, botanists are buzzing with excitement over the blooming of their sapphire tower.Puya...

AI Assists in Detecting Invasive Asian Hornets

VespAI Bait Station. Credit: PixabayNew research showcases the use of Artificial Intelligence in detecting invasive Asian hornets, highlighting a potential threat. Exeter researchers developed VespAI, an automated system attracting hornets to a monitoring station, capturing standardized images with an overhead camera.VespAI, from University of Exeter researchers, accurately detects Asian hornets, facilitating rapid responses. These...

Scientists Boost Crop Yields with CO2-Capturing Rock Dust on Fields

The application of dust produced via "enhanced rock weathering" has been found to significantly increase soybean and maize yieldsDepositphotosA recent study by scientists from the University of Sheffield's Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation indicates that using crushed rock on farmers' fields could reduce greenhouse gases and increase crop yields by up to 16%.The...

Plants’ Screams Detected for the First Time

Credit: DepositphotosRoald Dahl's concept may have validity: plants emit sounds when subjected to harm. However, these sounds differ from human screams. They manifest as popping or clicking noises in ultrasonic frequencies beyond the human auditory range, intensifying when the plant undergoes stress.According to a study published in 2023, this could represent one of the...

Navigating Economic Stability in Farming: Challenges and Solutions

In the realm of agriculture, economic instability stands as one of the most formidable challenges faced by farmers worldwide. This instability not only impacts the livelihoods of farmers but also poses a significant barrier to achieving more sustainable food production practices. In this article, we delve into the realities, challenges, and potential solutions related...

Rare Gray Whale Spotted After 200 Years

During the period of commercial whaling, this sea creature was nearly brought to extinction by hunting.Scientists have verified that a whale, extinct in the Atlantic Ocean for 200 years, has been sighted off the coast of New England. It's an exciting discovery, but it also highlights the impact of climate change on ocean creatures.Researchers...

Breakthrough: Protein Combatting Aging & Disease

Scientists found a protein that might help treat illnesses linked to getting older. This protein helps remove broken parts of cells called organelles. Organelles do important work in cells and are crucial for their function. Among these organelles are mitochondria, which create energy in cells, and lysosomes, which maintain cell health.Damage to these small...