Biology

Dogs Can Detect our Stress and it Profoundly Impacts Them

Credit: PixabayDogs can detect human stress, and a new study shows that this scent may cause dogs to make 'pessimistic' decisions, reflecting a similar emotional effect. This is the first scientific evidence that human stress odors influence dogs' emotions and learning, according to UK researchers, and it may provide valuable insights into the ancient...

What Does it Mean When a Chicken Blushes? Now we Know

Understanding the blushing behaviors of chickens could help improve livestock practices. Credit: PixabayFor the first time, researchers discovered that chickens fluff their facial feathers and blush in response to various stimuli, likely to express their inner emotions. This finding could enhance how we care for these birds.However, if you've ever been charmed by a...

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...

Smart Soil Boosts Crop Size by 138% and Cuts Water Use by 40%

A new "smart soil" infused with hydrogel allows crops to grow larger with less water. Credit: PixabayWatering and fertilizing crops to meet global food demands is a significant challenge in agriculture. Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have now developed a “smart soil” that enhances plant hydration and provides a controlled nutrient...

Even Awake, Our Brains Rest and Activate During Sleep

This new discovery blurs the line between being asleep and awake . Credit: PixabayScientists have made a groundbreaking discovery: a small region of our brain shuts down briefly to take microsecond-long naps while we're awake. Interestingly, these same areas become active during sleep. These findings could provide crucial insights into neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases associated...

A Freeze-Dried Mammoth Reveals the Most Complete Ancient Genome in 3D

An exceptionally well-preserved, "freeze-dried" mammoth has allowed scientists to reconstruct its genome in three dimensions for the first time, including its chromosomes. Credit: PixabayScientists have created the most complete 3D reconstruction of the woolly mammoth genome, thanks to a remarkably well-preserved specimen that was "freeze-dried" immediately after death. With its DNA preserved in a...

Lion Brothers Set a Record with a Daring Swim Across a Crocodile River

Two lion siblings have set a new record for long-distance swimming, crossing a dangerous river filled with crocodiles and hippos in a quest to find female mates. The nighttime swim across the Kazinga Channel in Uganda was captured by an H20T thermal camera mounted on a DJI Matrice 300 drone.

Video: First-Ever Footage of a Blue Whale Nursing its Calf

Pygmy blue whale nursing her calf off the coast of Timor-Leste. (Image expanded to fit aspect ratio using generative tools)The first video of a blue whale nursing her calf has been released, alongside other remarkable footage of the species' intimate behaviors, captured in 2022 by a fortunate snorkeler. This marks the first occasion for...

Pre-Dinosaur Predator: Gaiasia, the Giant of Permian Swamps

Artist Gabriel Lio's depiction of Gaiasia jennyae, a massive amphibious predator from the Permian era.Long before dinosaurs dominated the Earth, another formidable predator thrived in its environment. Gaiasia, resembling a large salamander, roamed the Permian swamps. Unlike the cute axolotl, Gaiasia jennyae was a massive amphibian measuring approximately 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length,...

Many of Us Are Dominantly Right-Handed but Left-Eyed. Here’s the Reason

Credit: FreepikThe study explores the complex interplay of handedness and visual biases in humans, drawing parallels with similar traits observed across the animal kingdom. While handedness is well-known as a defining characteristic, the study reveals lesser-known biases that impact social dynamics and cognitive functions.Human Biases and Brain LateralizationHumans exhibit a strong tendency towards right-handedness,...