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“Enormous concern”: New bird flu transmission paths confirmed
Healthy cows were able to transfer the virus to other animals when transported to other farms. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 25 – A new report has sounded the alarm on the evolution of the avian influenza virus, with comprehensive genome sequencing …
Male elephants harmonize like a barbershop quartet to say “let’s go”
The barbershop quartet-style vocalization of male elephants is another breakthrough in understanding how elephants communicate. Image created by DALL-E – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 22 – A fascinating new insight into elephant communication has been uncovered, with researchers finding that a group of …
Fruit: A secret weapon against age-related depression
Science suggests that three servings a day can benefit your mental wellbeing in later life. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 23 – If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then a new study suggests upsizing this to a fruit salad …
Weight-loss power of oats naturally mimics popular obesity drugs
A key type of fiber in oats is shown to have a huge impact on the gut bacteria important in fighting obesity. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 22 – Let’s face it, dietary fiber is not the most scintillating topic, even though …
Fewer bees and other pollinating insects lead to shrinking crops
Insects are the primary pollinators of most flowers and crops. Niklas_Weidner/500px via Getty Images – By Rachel Mallinger, Professor of Entomology, University of Florida Published: 2024 Jul 19 – Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterflies …
Cat burglars: scientists try to solve mystery of why felines ‘steal’ random objects
Scientists are unsure why cats turn up with random objects. Photograph: Linda Raymond/Getty Images – Researchers unsure why animals turn up with items such as socks and gloves – but agree pilfered items are not presents Ian Sample Science editor 2024 Jul 20 …
Massive IT outage spotlights major vulnerabilities in the global information ecosystem
Displays at LaGuardia Airport in New York show the infamous “blue screen of death.” AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura – By Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County – The global information technology outage on 2024 Jul …
Anti-aging drug extends life up to 25%, staves off frailty and disease
Scientists are on the cusp of treatments to help us live longer and healthier. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 18 – For the first time, scientists have demonstrated how a specific protein increases in our organs as we get older and actively …
Our brains take naps while we’re awake – and wake when we’re asleep
This new discovery blurs the line between being asleep and awake. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 17 – For the first time, scientists have discovered that a small region of our brain shuts down to take microsecond-long naps while we’re awake. What’s …
Diabetes-reversing drug boosts insulin-producing cells by 700%
Scientists have demonstrated a new drug combo that regenerates insulin-producing cells, effectively reversing diabetes in tests in mice. Depositphotos – By Michael Irving 2024 Jul 14 – People living with diabetes might have a new hope. Scientists have tested a new drug therapy in …
Twice-yearly HIV drug 100% effective at preventing spread
A new HIV medication was 100% effective at preventing the virus’ spread. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 15 – A twice-a-year injectable drug has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing the spread of HIV, according to the first data from …
Sleep time linked to diabetes complications
Getting optimal sleep could reduce the risk of diabetic complications. DALL-E – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 14 – Not getting the optimal amount of sleep increases the risk of damage to small blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys of type 2 diabetics, …
Meteorites from Mars help scientists understand the red planet’s interior
A Martian meteorite in cross-polarized light. This meteorite is dominated by the mineral olivine. Each grain is about half a millimeter across. By James Day – By James Day, Professor of Geosciences, University of California, San Diego Published: 2024 Jul 12 – Of …
‘Night owls’ have 13.5% better brain function than early risers
Being a night owl might not be a bad thing – for your brain, at least. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 12 – ‘Night owls’ traditionally get a bit of a rough time of it, with numerous studies linking staying up late …
Watch: Scratch-built electric monowheel rides out with explosive torque
The Make It Extreme team has created an electric monowheel from scratch. Make It Extreme. View 6 Images – By Paul Ridden 2024 Jul 11 – As we noted back in 2018, monowheels are “kind of ridiculous, largely pointless and far from a practical …
Autism linked to specific gut bugs, promising quick, accurate diagnosis
Kids with autism spectrum disorder showed distinct changes to gut microorganisms. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 09 – Autism spectrum disorder is associated with distinct changes to the composition and functioning of a wide range of gut microorganisms, according to a new …
Butter, and other delicious fats, are now being made out of thin air
Savor uses chemistry to make ‘butter’ that tastes just like the real thing. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 09 – Bill Gates has thrown his weight – and his money – behind a Californian startup that believes it can make a rich, fatty …
In a world first, blue frog defies nature with “once-in-a-lifetime” look
Scientists believe this blue frog sighting is a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance. Jake Barker/AWC – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 08 – An amphibian has lived up to its name, swapping out its usual green coloring for bright blue, in the first-ever record of a magnificent …
‘Ozempic drugs’ reduce obesity-associated cancer risk by up to 65%
The GLP-1RA class of drugs, which includes Ozempic, reduces the risk of 10 out of 13 obesity-associated cancers. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 07 – The popular class of antidiabetic and weight loss drugs known as GLP-1RAs, which includes Ozempic and Wegovy, …
Wild new Wi-Fi routers turn your home network into a security radar
WiFi signals can be used like radars, mapping out everything and everyone in your home in 3D – image created using generative tools – By Michael Irving 2024 Jul 05 – Wi-Fi security usually means keeping virtual intruders off your network, but a new …
Engineered mRNA turns your body into a drug-making biofactory
Engineered mRNA has caused cells to produce their own therapeutic proteins. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 05 – Engineered mRNA has turned cells into tiny biofactories, producing medications to successfully treat an inflammatory skin condition and two types of cancer, according to …
Toxic arsenic and lead found to be common in tampons
Different tampon brands contain detectable concentrations of potentially dangerous metals. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 04 – The first study to measure the concentration of metals in tampons has found that several brands contain concerning amounts of lead, arsenic and cadmium. More …
Protein and fat can trigger insulin production even more than carbs
Contrary to popular belief, insulin production is triggered more by proteins and fats than carbohydrates in some people. DALL-E – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 03 Some people produce more insulin in response to proteins and fats than carbs, new research has found. Suggesting …
FDA fast-tracks personalized therapy for hard-to-treat-prostate cancer
A novel combination treatment for advanced prostate cancer has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 02 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has green-lit the fast-tracking of an innovative personalized treatment for advanced …
Measles vaccine breakthrough protects immunocompromised from unvaxxed
This breakthrough can effectively shield vulnerable members of the community from those who won’t get a measles shot. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jul 01 – Measles is on the rise, attributable to the anti-vaccination movement and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, …
Clever gadget makes it (near) impossible to kill your houseplants
SmartyPlants will also help you learn to become an expert indoor gardener. SmartyPlants – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jun 27 – ‘Pandemic gardens’ were almost as popular as new pets and sourdough starters during 2020, but many of us learnt the hard way that …
‘Authentic’ ayahuasca rituals sought by tourists often ignore Indigenous practices and spiritual grounding
A healer conducts an ayahuasca drinking ceremony in Avie village, in Ecuador, on Jan.14, 2023. Pedro Pardo / AFP via Getty images – Pardis Mahdavi, President, University of La Verne Published: 2024 Jun 28 – Ayahuasca, a sacred drink made from the stem …
CBD use during pregnancy produces strange behavior in offspring
CBD use during pregnancy might not be safe. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Jun 25 – While CBD or cannabidiol is now widely available, widely used and generally considered safe, new research has found that its use during pregnancy may produce some strange …
Otherworldly: Incredible images from the insect photography awards
“Purple fire” – leafcutter bee (Megachile lagopoda) by Gustav Parenmark (age 17, Sweden). Royal Entomological Society View 19 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jun 27 – This enormous and important part of the animal kingdom may not be most people’s favorite, but insects …
New technique gives robotic faces living human skin
Smile, new robotics technology is on its way! ©2024 Takeuchi et al. CC-BY-ND – By Ben Coxworth 2024 Jun 26 – In a breakthrough that isn’t at all creepy, scientists have devised a method of anchoring living human skin to robots’ faces. The technology …
New intelligence model could upend biology, genetics, medicine and AI
An emerging model of intelligence finds flexible problem-solving capabilities at the cellular level and beyond – and it threatens to upend not just biology and genetics, but medicine, AI and consciousness research, among other things. Depositphotos View 12 Images – By Loz Blain 2024 …
Inflatable hammock uses an insulated air gap to keep users warm
Inflatable hammock uses an insulated air gap to keep users warm The Atmos Inflatable Hammock is presently on Kickstarter. Madison River – By Ben Coxworth 2024 Jun 24 – There are already inflatable-frame tents, so why not inflatable hammocks? That’s exactly what the Atmos …
Elder fraud has reached epidemic proportions – a geriatrician explains what older Americans need to know
Be careful out there. ArtMarie/Getty Images – Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Virginia Published: 2024 Jun 17 – Americans age 60 and older lost more than US$3 billion to scammers in 2023, according to the FBI. – To …
Never-before-seen dinosaur’s unique headgear earns it a godly name
Lokiceratops rangiformis is a distant cousin of the Triceratops. Fabrizio Lavezza/The Museum of Evolution, Knuthenborg CC BY-NC-ND – By Paul McClure 2024 Jun 21 – A never-before-seen species of horned, herbivorous dinosaur, a predecessor of the Triceratops, has been unveiled at the Natural History …
Rocks on Rapa Nui tell the story of a small, resilient population − countering the notion of a doomed overpopulated island
Covering the ground with rocks is actually a good way to grow some crops in poor soil. Carl Lipo – Carl Lipo, Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean for Research, Binghamton University, State University of New York Published: 2024 Jun 21 – Conventional …
Solstices brought Mayan communities together, using monuments shaped by science and religion – and kingly ambitions, too
An “E-Group” construction at the ancient Maya site of Caracol, in present-day Belize. Gerardo Aldana – Gerardo Aldana, Professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara Published: 2024 Jun 19 – K’ahk’ Uti’ Witz’ K’awiil knew his history. – For …
‘Mysterious monolith’ spotted for first time since 2020 in Nevada desert
A monolith near Gass Peak, Nevada, on 2024 Jun 16. Photograph: Las Vegas metropolitan police department/AP – Nevada – Other versions of the 10ft-tall metal installation were found in places like Utah, California, Wales and Romania in 2020 Erum Salam Published on 2024 …
‘The sky was on fire’: New Mexico villagers flee two deadly wildfires
Smoke from the South Fork fire covers the Sun, casting an orange light across the Lincoln National Forest in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Monday. Photograph: Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Reuters – New Mexico – At least one killed as residents of Ruidoso escape blazes which …
Edible batteries, sensors and actuators unlock robots designed to be eaten
EPFL and IIT scientists created this partially edible rolling robot made of pneumatic gelatine legs and an edible tilt sensor. EPFL – By Paul McClure 2024 Jun 17 – Scientists have already made edible robotic components. The next challenge is integrating them together to …
Hydrogen fuel-cell ebikes can be ‘recharged’ in seconds
HydroRide Europe AG’s HYRYD ebikes use a hydrogen fuel-cell to power the ride, with a compact solar-powered hydrogen generator available for green H2 production potential. HydroRide Europe AG – By Paul Ridden 2024 Jun 15 – While most ebikes on the road today will …
“Enormous concern”: New bird flu transmission paths confirmed
Healthy cows were able to transfer the virus to other animals when transported to other farms. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 25 – A new report has sounded the alarm on the evolution of the avian influenza virus, with comprehensive genome sequencing …
Male elephants harmonize like a barbershop quartet to say “let’s go”
The barbershop quartet-style vocalization of male elephants is another breakthrough in understanding how elephants communicate. Image created by DALL-E – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 22 – A fascinating new insight into elephant communication has been uncovered, with researchers finding that a group of …
Fruit: A secret weapon against age-related depression
Science suggests that three servings a day can benefit your mental wellbeing in later life. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 23 – If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then a new study suggests upsizing this to a fruit salad …
Weight-loss power of oats naturally mimics popular obesity drugs
A key type of fiber in oats is shown to have a huge impact on the gut bacteria important in fighting obesity. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 22 – Let’s face it, dietary fiber is not the most scintillating topic, even though …
Fewer bees and other pollinating insects lead to shrinking crops
Insects are the primary pollinators of most flowers and crops. Niklas_Weidner/500px via Getty Images – By Rachel Mallinger, Professor of Entomology, University of Florida Published: 2024 Jul 19 – Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterflies …
Cat burglars: scientists try to solve mystery of why felines ‘steal’ random objects
Scientists are unsure why cats turn up with random objects. Photograph: Linda Raymond/Getty Images – Researchers unsure why animals turn up with items such as socks and gloves – but agree pilfered items are not presents Ian Sample Science editor 2024 Jul 20 …
Massive IT outage spotlights major vulnerabilities in the global information ecosystem
Displays at LaGuardia Airport in New York show the infamous “blue screen of death.” AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura – By Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County – The global information technology outage on 2024 Jul …
Anti-aging drug extends life up to 25%, staves off frailty and disease
Scientists are on the cusp of treatments to help us live longer and healthier. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 18 – For the first time, scientists have demonstrated how a specific protein increases in our organs as we get older and actively …
Our brains take naps while we’re awake – and wake when we’re asleep
This new discovery blurs the line between being asleep and awake. Depositphotos – By Bronwyn Thompson 2024 Jul 17 – For the first time, scientists have discovered that a small region of our brain shuts down to take microsecond-long naps while we’re awake. What’s …
Classic Puns
How does an attorney sleep? First, he lies on one side. Then he lies on the other side. I have a few jokes about unemployed people, but none of them work. – How do you make holy water? You take some regular water …