Animals

  1. Paleontology

    How did an ancient shark parasite end up fossilized in tree resin?

    A worm preserved in 99-million-year-old amber resembles modern flatworms in shark intestines. The rare finding has scientists stumped.

    By
  2. Animals

    Tiger beetles may weaponize ultrasound against bats

    In response to recordings of echolocating bats, tiger beetles emit noises that mimic toxic moths that bats avoid.

    By
  3. Health & Medicine

    Cows might host both human and bird flus

    Both kinds of influenza viruses may break into cattle cells using receptors similar to those in people, wild birds and poultry.

    By
  4. Animals

    Getting wild mosquitoes back to the lab alive takes a custom backpack

    The new low-tech transportation method could help scientists in Africa assess if malaria-carrying mosquitoes are resistant to a common insecticide.

    By
  5. Animals

    This snake goes to extremes to play dead — and it appears to pay off

    When dice snakes fake their death to avoid predators, those that use a combination of blood, poop and musk spend less time pretending to be dead.

    By
  6. Neuroscience

    Lampreys have ‘fight or flight’ cells, challenging ideas about nervous system evolution

    The discovery of sympathetic nervous system cells in lampreys draws a closer tie between the animal and complex vertebrates — such as humans.

    By
  7. Animals

    Want to see butterflies in your backyard? Try doing less yardwork

    Growing out patches of grass can lure adult butterflies and moths with nectar and offer lawn mower–free havens for toddler caterpillars.

    By
  8. Animals

    This orangutan used a medicinal plant on his face wound

    Rakus the orangutan appeared to be treating a cut to his face with a plant that’s also used in traditional human medicine.

    By
  9. Animals

    Belugas may communicate by warping a blob of forehead fat

    Jiggling the “melon” like Jell-O seems to be associated with sexual behaviors, scientists say.

    By
  10. Animals

    Ximena Velez-Liendo is saving Andean bears with honey

    By training beekeepers, biologist Ximena Velez-Liendo is helping rural agricultural communities of southern Bolivia coexist with Andean bears.

    By
  11. Health & Medicine

    Traces of bird flu are showing up in cow milk. Here’s what to know

    We asked the experts: Should people be worried? Pasteurization and the H5N1 virus’s route to infection suggests risks to people remains low.

    By
  12. Ecosystems

    Noise pollution can harm birds even before they hatch

    Exposing zebra finch eggs and hatchlings to traffic sounds had lifelong health impacts, raising concerns about increased anthropogenic noise.

    By