WEIRD ANIMALS
A spider-shaped biohybrid robot is driven by natural impulses from a fungus. Cornell University – By Michael Irving 2024 Aug 31 – Autonomous vehicles are said to be safer than human drivers – but would you trust a mushroom behind the wheel? A new …
Although H5N1 typically infects wild birds, the virus has spilled over into domesticated animal populations, like dairy cows. Peter Cade/Stone via Getty Images – By Jenna Guthmiller, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Published: 2024 Aug 28 – …
Manuka honey, produced from nectar from the mānuka tree, has potent anticancer properties. Depositphotos – By Paul McClure 2024 Aug 21 – Manuka honey reduced breast cancer cell growth by 84% without harming healthy cells or causing major side effects, according to preliminary studies. …
The extinction event that killed the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Mark Stevenson/UIG via Getty Images – By Hans Sues, Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Smithsonian Institution Published: 2024 Aug 12 Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. …
An artist’s impression of what some of the Francevillian biota lifeforms might have looked like. Professor Abderrazzak El Albani of the University of Poitiers, France – By Michael Irving 2024 Aug 03 – Scientists have discovered evidence that an isolated pocket of complex life …
The common “cat poop” parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, could be engineered to deliver drugs to the brain to treat a range of neurological diseases. Depositphotos – By Michael Irving 2024 Aug 01 – Brain parasites are something that most people would naturally want to avoid, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
