Latest science news in Biology & Nature
AI identifies 3 more 'Nazca Lines' figures in Peru
The deep-learning system is 21 times faster than a human at finding ancient "geoglyphs" in aerial photographs of Peru's Nazca Desert.
Vaccine against deadly chytrid fungus primes frog microbiome for future exposure
A human or animal's microbiome—the collection of often beneficial microorganisms, including as bacteria and fungi, that live on or within a host organism—can play an important role in the host's...
Q&A: Exploring how during the 'anthropause,' animals moved more freely
A new study used GPS data to track the movements of 43 species of mammals around the globe before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that animals were able to...
White rhinos reintroduced to DR Congo national park
Sixteen southern white rhinoceroses have been released into DR Congo's Garamba national park, officials said on Saturday, reintroducing an endangered species that was decimated by poaching.
Noisy boats can cause temporary deafness in squid
The ever-present din of vessel traffic means squid’s delicate statocysts, or hearing organs, may never get enough time to recover. Marine Biological Laboratory Cephalopod Program This article was originally featured on Hakai Magazine, an online publication...
How to keep your food safe from hungry bears when camping
"We heard you had snacks". anthony renovato / Unsplash If you took a poll at a national park you’d find the grand majority of visitors have a bear sighting at the top...
Hidden carbon: Fungi and their 'necromass' absorb one-third of the carbon emitted by burning fossil fuels every year
Beneath our feet, remarkable networks of fungal filaments stretch out in all directions. These mycorrhizal fungi live in partnership with plants, offering nutrients, water and protection from pests in exchange...
Koalas are both endangered and so plentiful they're causing problems. How'd that happen?
They are a poster child for imminent extinction, at risk from deforestation, climate change and bushfires. Yet, where I live in South Australia, they are so abundant they are in...
This lanternfly-egg-hunting robot could mean you have to squish fewer bugs
That pop of color on the adult spotted lanternfly is a warning to predators—and property owners. Stephen Ausmus/USDA It’s that time of the year again. The invasive, crop-damaging spotted lanternflies are emerging, as...
New cat contraception method using gene therapy could help manage feral populations
Controlling feral cat populations is controversial and often involves capturing, surgically sterilizing and releasing the animals, which is complex and expensive. U.S. scientists have developed a new method for cat...
Florida man gets 'flesh-eating' bacterial infection after a relative bit him
A resident of Riverview, Florida was bitten by a relative and later developed a "flesh-eating" infection — likely from the bite.
Look: Cincinnati Zoo announces birth of baby sloth
An Ohio zoo announced the birth of a healthy baby Linne's two-toed sloth, the first member of its species to be born at the zoo.
Great white sharks have almost no interest in eating humans, study confirms
Juvenile great white sharks are near to people in Southern California nearly every day but rarely bite them.
Wild mammals moved farther during severe COVID-19 lockdowns
Human behavior changed dramatically during lockdowns in the first months of the global COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in behavioral changes of land mammals.
Medici family's famous hunting grounds may have killed them, report suggests
At least one Medici was plagued by a deadly strain of malaria, analysis of organ tissue from the Medici family tomb reveals.
Underwater noise shown to disturb feeding behavior of marine organisms
Many marine organisms, such as fish, marine mammals and crustaceans, produce and use sound to navigate, reproduce, detect prey and avoid predators. However, anthropogenic sound, for example from the construction...
New study takes a high-level look at Nazca boobies' breeding
Nazca boobies can live to 28 years of age, but in their late teens, their ability to raise chicks declines substantially. Why their breeding drops in old age has plagued...
Help, bees have colonized the walls of my house! Why are they there and what should I do?
Have you spotted a swarm of flying insects emerging from a wall? Or noticed a buzzing noise coming from inside the house?
Invasive oak processionary moth caterpillars cause concern for England's trees
An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England.
Watch: California researchers encounter unusually large group of orcas
Marine researchers in California were treated to a unique experience when they came across an unusually large pod of orcas composed of up to 24 killer whales.
Northern bettong genes reveal low genetic diversity, complicating protection measures
Scientists surveying the endangered northern bettong have discovered one particular sub-population of the species is in significant trouble and needs urgent help.
More than 50 chemicals discovered in water off Hampshire and West Sussex coasts
An ongoing study looking at water quality in and around Chichester and Langstone harbors has revealed high levels of potentially harmful chemicals.
Influenced by light, biological rhythms say a lot about animal (and human) health
Life patterns help humans and other animals stay in sync with nature and in good form.
Wolves in Minnesota switch to fish as a main source of food in the spring
A team of wildlife specialists from the University of Minnesota, the University of Manitoba and Voyageurs National Park has found that wild wolves living in Minnesota tend to switch from...
Study finds the best plants and bee hotels for boosting urban bee numbers
The presence of more native Australian flowering plants in urban areas can help boost declining bee numbers, with new Curtin University research finding them to be the preferred source of...
Taiwan sent mosquito-fighting robots into its sewers
Mosquito larvae could be hiding out in sewers. Denny Müller / Unsplash Mosquitoes are a problem, especially when they’re carrying viruses like dengue and zika that they can pass to unsuspecting humans with...
The coronavirus has made itself at home in animals. Why that ramps up the risk for people
Coronavirus infections have been found in at least 32 animal species in 39 countries. Some can transmit the virus to humans.
Why elephants have whiskers on their trunks
A team of zoologists from the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and Berlin Zoological Garden has discovered the...