Search Results - nature

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...

Some Individuals Have Remained Unaffected by COVID-19, Possibly Due to a Little-Known Genetic Factor

Credit: MICROSTOCKHUB/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS People who have managed to avoid COVID-19 for over four years may owe their immunity to a newly discovered immune response, according to a recent study. Researchers deliberately exposed volunteers to the virus and found that those with the heightened activity of a little-known immune gene called HLA-DQA2 did not sustain...

Brain-in-a-Jar Biocomputers can Now Learn to Operate Robots

Human brain organoids wired into computer chips can now learn to drive robots thanks to a new biocomputing interface. Note: the images above are purely for demonstration, but the technology is legitTianjin University Living brain cells integrated into organoid-on-a-chip biocomputers are now capable of learning to control robots through MetaBOC, an open-source intelligent interaction system....

Modern Prosthesis Allows Natural Walking

“This is the first prosthetic study in history that shows a leg prosthesis under full neural modulation,” Hugh Herr says.Credits:Image: Courtesy of Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song Modern prosthetic limbs help people with amputations walk naturally but don't give full neural control. They use robotic sensors and pre-set algorithms to move. MIT researchers, with Brigham and...

Complete Carbon Impact of Long-Distance Travel Exposed

Credit: Pixabay The University of Leeds has revealed the genuine climate impact of long-distance passenger travel in recent research. Although trips over 50 miles (one way) account for less than 3% of all travel by UK residents, they contribute 70% of all passenger travel-related carbon emissions. This disparity is even more pronounced with international travel, which...

Extreme Wildfires have Doubled in 20 Years

Credit: Pixabay Recently, over 70 wildfires burned simultaneously in Greece. In early 2024, Chile experienced its worst wildfire season ever, resulting in over 130 fatalities. Last year, Canada endured record-breaking wildfires from March to November, and in August, flames ravaged Maui in Hawaii. And the list continues. Watching the news, it seems like catastrophic wildfires are...

Iceland’s Volcanic Eruptions Could Last for Decades

Credit: Pixabay After nearly 800 years of inactivity, volcanoes on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula are reawakening with increased intensity. Since 2021, eight eruptions have occurred, driven by a shallow magma reservoir approximately 10 kilometers wide and located just 9-12 kilometers beneath the surface, according to new research. Geologist Valentin Troll from Uppsala University in Sweden, who led...

Study: High-Fat Diet May Increase Anxiety

Credit: Pixabay Select comfort foods wisely. While stress-eating might provide temporary relief, a recent study indicates that some high-fat foods can exacerbate anxiety over time. The study found that a high-fat diet, particularly one rich in saturated fats from animal sources, disrupted the gut microbiome of lab rats and altered their behavior. These rats exhibited increased...

AI Accurately Decodes Speech from Brain Activity

Credit: Pixabay An artificial intelligence can interpret words and sentences from brain activity with impressive, albeit constrained, accuracy. Based on brief recordings of brain activity, the AI can predict what a person has heard, accurately listing the correct answer within its top 10 choices up to 73% of the time, according to a preliminary study...

Scientists Discover Brain Vascular Changes Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Credit: Freepik The blood-brain barrier (BBB)—a network of blood vessels and tissues that protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood—is disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and collaborators have now identified unique molecular signatures of BBB dysfunction, potentially leading to new diagnostic and treatment methods. Discovery and Analysis of Molecular Signatures "These...