A tardigrade's colored scanning electron micrograph. Credit: Getty imagesTardigrades may be the most resilient creatures on our planet. These tiny microorganisms can resist nearly any challenge humans present to them, emerging unscathed as they stroll along on their eight short legs.The tactics facilitating these remarkable feats of superheroic survival are diverse. They range from...
Credit: PixabayThe Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest resounds with the high-pitched 'screams' of a minuscule amphibian in distress, a sound previously unnoticed by human ears.Researchers have, for the first time, captured recordings of South American frogs emitting calls at frequencies beyond human perception but potentially unsettling to animals equipped with suitable receptors.Dominance of the Leaf Litter...
Scientists have converted the silent nocturnal vocalizations of the great kiskadee into an artificial melody. Image credit Depositphotos.The Intriguing World of Avian Dreams. Birds, with their mesmerizing songs and graceful flights, have always intrigued humanity. However, recent research has delved into a lesser-known aspect of avian life: their dreams. Contrary to popular belief, birds...
Credit: PixabayThe Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong has disclosed that a rare virus has left a 37-year-old man in critical condition in intensive care after diagnosis.The virus, known as herpesvirus simiae or 'B virus', naturally resides in the urine, feces, and saliva of macaques, commonly encountered in various public areas across Hong...
Brains are larger than they were in the 1930s. Credit: IdeogramLarger brain size indicates enhanced brain health and cognitive abilities. Since the 1930s, there has been a consistent increase in brain size. A recent study highlights the implications of this growth on the likelihood of developing dementia, specifically Alzheimer's disease.By 2020, more than 55...
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...
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...
Credit: PixabayA recent study has linked uncommon mutations in certain genes to the occurrence of left-handedness in humans. Understanding the implications of these genetic variations on other aspects of left-handers' characteristics could provide insights into phenomena such as the genetic predisposition to neurodevelopmental disorders or the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.Researchers from the Max Planck...
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...
Credit: DepositphotosWhile most people are familiar with the traditional five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste), not everyone is aware of our additional sense known as interoception.Interoception pertains to our perception of the body's internal state. It enables us to sense and comprehend internal signals regulating crucial bodily functions such as hunger, thirst,...
