A 95-million-year-old Cretaceous African amber deposit reveals new fossils of insects, spiders, and bacteria, providing insights into an ancient tropical forest and the diversification of flowering plants during this time. The discovery is significant, as it is the first major find from the African continent.
SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2010
Researchers found that toad populations in Italy shifted their behavior from breeding to evacuation mode five days before a significant earthquake. The ionosphere disruptions detected pre-seismic cues like radon gas releases and charged particles, allowing the toads to detect earthquakes earlier.
SourceZoological Society of London·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateMar 30, 2010
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers found that domestic guinea pigs excelled in a water maze test due to their improved ability to decipher guidance symbols, while wild cavies were stronger swimmers. The study suggests an adaptation in domesticated animals for efficient problem-solving in human-made environments.
SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateMar 24, 2010
A University of Melbourne-led study links earlier butterfly emergence with regional human-induced climate change, revealing a causal link between increasing greenhouse gases and warming temperatures. The study found a 1.6-day shift in the mean emergence date for adults of the Common Brown butterfly over a 65-year period.
SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalBiology Letters·DateMar 16, 2010
A phylogenetic analysis of Mexican cave scorpions reveals that specialized adaptations can be reversed through independent evolution. Three surface-living species evolved from cave-dwelling ancestors, highlighting the flexibility of scorpion biology.
SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalCladistics·DateMar 12, 2010
A UBC researcher warns that allowing one-off sales of ivory could stimulate the illegal market, leading to increased poaching in Africa. The researcher emphasizes the need for robust monitoring and enforcement of the ivory trade before permitting such sales.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·DateMar 11, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Scientists at the Phyletic Museum of Jena University are using MicroCT imaging to analyze insect genital morphology. The research aims to shed light on the key-lock principle, which explains how male and female reproductive organs fit together, and instead reveals that it's a result of sexual selection.
Researchers found that birds leave messages in the egg that influence the development of their chicks' begging behavior. The messages can affect the chick's weight gain and survival after hatching.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateMar 11, 2010
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that desert ants can locate odour sources in a map-like manner and use this information for navigation. The ants need both antennae to smell the scenery in stereo, enabling precise location of their nests after foraging for food.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMar 9, 2010
A new study found that fruit flies without the key gene controlling circadian rhythms were more resilient to stress at a young age, but their health declined faster as they aged. The research suggests that biological clocks may play a role in aging and health, with intact genes potentially improving health and longevity.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A study by Harvard University researchers reveals that changes in beak length and depth can explain the morphological diversity of Darwin's finches. The team used mathematical models and genetic analysis to show that scaling transformations, shear, and gene expression are key factors in shaping the birds' beaks.
SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2010
The giant panda genome study has identified genetic traits that may aid in understanding the animal's unique bamboo diet and inform conservation efforts. The research found that pandas lack genes necessary for competing digestion of bamboo, suggesting a reliance on microbes to digest this staple food source.
Researchers from the University of Innsbruck have identified a primitive cancer gene in a fresh water polyp, revealing similar biochemical functions to those found in humans. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of cancer and its relationship to stem cells.
SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2010
A new analysis of a fossil specimen called microraptor suggests that small, feathered species must have been gliders that came down from trees. The research supports the idea that some species believed to be dinosaurs may have descended from birds.
SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2010
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Research by Tel Aviv University's Prof. Yoram Yom-Tov reveals that animals at higher latitudes are adapting to rising temperatures by altering their diets and body sizes. This adaptation is seen in birds getting smaller and mammals getting bigger, allowing them to cope with warmer temperatures.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 8, 2010
Researchers found tiny genetic regions, or hotspots, responsible for the butterflies' identical wing patterns, challenging previous assumptions about evolution. The study reveals a flexible genetic mechanism underlying this remarkable example of adaptation.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 5, 2010
Researchers reconstruct primate brain evolution to clarify the Hobbit's brain size, suggesting a strong selective advantage for increased brainpower. The study supports the hypothesis that the Hobbit's small brain was adapted to local ecological conditions on Flores.
SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateJan 26, 2010
Researchers found that male sabertoothed cats were indistinguishable in size from females, suggesting a possible lack of aggression. This contrasts with the American lion, where males are significantly larger and more aggressive than females.
SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateNov 5, 2009
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
A team of researchers from Harvard University discovered that army ant colonies can be cooperative instead of combative when they lose their queen. The lost workers are absorbed by neighboring colonies and integrate quickly, often losing their distinct colony odor within days.
Scientists at Michigan State University are developing robotic fish that use advanced materials to swim like fish and monitor water quality. The robots will carry sensors recording temperature, dissolved oxygen, pollutants, and harmful algae, providing a high spatial and temporal resolution of data.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have published unique research data on the world's only monotremes, providing new light on the platypus sex chromosome system. The team discovered a complex mechanism where sex chromosomes pair during sperm development in platypus.
SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalAustralian Journal of Zoology·DateNov 2, 2009
A new species of fly discovered in Burmese amber had a unique horn and three eyes on top, suggesting it was an evolutionary dead end that later disappeared. It likely fed on tiny flowers and had other unusual characteristics.
SourceOregon State University·JournalCretaceous Research·DateOct 26, 2009
Researchers Lawrence Weider and Amy V. Callaghan will investigate how aquatic organisms cope with drastic environmental changes caused by nutrient pollution. The study targets lakes in Canada and Minnesota, where Daphnia diapausing eggs have remained dormant for over 50 years.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered nine new bristleworm species that feed on dead whales, highlighting a previously unknown food source in marine ecosystems. The study reveals these specialized organisms play a significant role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem balance.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateSep 21, 2009
Scientists have cracked the code of insect flight, revealing complex wing designs that defy conventional aerodynamics. By studying locusts and developing a computer model, researchers gained insights into wing deformation and its impact on flight efficiency.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2009
A study led by biologists at UC Berkeley found that 48 out of 53 bird species in California's Sierra Nevada mountains have adjusted their ranges in response to climate change, with some moving towards warmer temperatures and others preferring wetter conditions. The researchers used data from a survey of 82 sites and compared past and p...
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2009
A Tel Aviv University study suggests that men's bodies have become 'reproductive antagonists', producing aggressive sperm to compete with women's bodies, which defend against them. This evolutionary arms race may be contributing to high rates of unexplained infertility.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalBiological Reviews·DateSep 8, 2009
A study tracked genetic mutations in a roundworm over 5,000 years, finding that oxidative DNA damage is a primary cause of mutations. The research also showed that natural selection affects previously thought-to-be 'junk' DNA, suggesting new biological roles.
SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2009
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
A new study re-examines Kammerer's experiments and finds remarkable resemblances to newly discovered aspects of epigenetics. Kammerer's data shows consistency with current epigenetic mechanisms, providing new biological arguments in favor of the authenticity of his midwife toad experiments.
SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution·DateSep 2, 2009
A new revision of the Dioptinae subfamily sheds light on the diversity of tropical moth species, revealing a unique story of parallel evolution. The study found that around 500 species evolved from a common ancestor into diverse butterfly mimics, with some feeding on toxic plants to gain protection.
SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalBulletin of the American Museum of Natural History·DateAug 31, 2009
A Tel Aviv University researcher suggests that tears signal vulnerability and attachment, making interpersonal relationships stronger. Crying is not just a symptom of pain or stress, but an evolution-based mechanism to bring people closer together.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateAug 24, 2009
New research reveals that young muskoxen are not thermally stressed more than adults in extreme cold. The study found that calves and adults sacrifice only a small percentage of their daily energy intake to heat loss during foraging bouts.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateAug 20, 2009
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers discovered that insect circadian rhythms affect pesticide susceptibility, with defenses strongest during mid-day and weakest around dawn or dusk. This knowledge may lead to improved pest control strategies and reduced pesticide use.
SourceOregon State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2009
Researchers at UBC found a mutant gene in freshwater sticklebacks that drives their tendency to relocate instead of adapting to new environments. This 'wanderlust gene' is associated with the loss of bony lateral plates and affects salinity tolerance.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 4, 2009
Research by Dr. Amber Teacher reveals that wild frog populations in the UK are changing their mating behaviour in response to Ranavirus infection, with healthy frogs selecting mates based on their Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) type.
A recent study suggests that chimps respond to faces in a similar manner to humans, capturing attention more effectively than other objects. Reaction times improved when the target appeared behind the image of a chimpanzee face.
SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateJul 22, 2009
Researchers at Uppsala University analyzed DNA from shed hairs in a book owned by Nicolaus Copernicus, finding two hairs with matching profiles to the putative remains. The results were confirmed by analysis of tooth and bone tissue from the same location.
SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2009
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A study by French and American scientists found that enzyme synthesis of steroids in humans is unrelated to those in insects, snails, octopuses, and corals. This discovery suggests a 'snail-centered viewpoint' for understanding the effects of environmental chemicals on steroid synthesis.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2009
A new study by George Mason University researchers challenges the long-held notion that dinosaurs were massive creatures. They found that using a flawed statistical model led to overestimations of dinosaur weight, revealing some species may have been smaller than initially thought.
SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateJun 25, 2009
A study by US-based researchers found that great white sharks use highly focused hunting methods, comparable to those of serial criminals. The research used geographic profiling techniques to analyze shark attack data and located the anchor point for younger sharks.
Scientists re-examined data to discover a flawed statistical model used for calculating dinosaur mass, leading to revised estimates of Apatosaurus louisae at 18 tonnes instead of 38 tonnes. This finding has significant implications for various theories about dinosaur biology.
Research by Suzanne Peyer reveals that zebra mussels' ability to produce strong 'byssal threads' enables them to attach securely in fast-moving waters, outperforming quagga mussels. This adaptation allows zebra mussels to thrive in rivers and streams, whereas quagga mussels are more commonly found in calm lake waters.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 12, 2009
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A new study published by Oregon State University researchers found that hatchery fish significantly impair the reproductive fitness of their offspring, even if they survive and reproduce in the wild. This could be hurting efforts to sustain wild salmon runs, scientists said.
SourceOregon State University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 10, 2009
Dr. Jonathan Losos has made significant contributions to the knowledge of Caribbean ecosystems through his research on anole lizards. His work highlights the importance of natural selection, competition, and niche evolution in shaping assemblages of Anolis species.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·DateJun 9, 2009
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bird physiology, finding that birds' lung structure and musculature are critical to their flight capacity. This study suggests that birds did not descend from theropod dinosaurs but instead evolved on a parallel path.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Morphology·DateJun 9, 2009
A comprehensive investigation into sea urchins' axial complex has shown that various internal organs are structurally linked. The study uses high-resolution imaging to analyze specimens from multiple orders, providing a re-evaluation of published studies spanning two centuries.
SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateJun 8, 2009
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
A UBC paleontologist has solved the enigma of a massive bonebed in southern California by proposing that it formed over a 700,000 year time-span approximately 15 million years ago. The team found only five shark bite specimens out of over 3,000 bones and teeth analyzed, supporting the deposit-over-time theory.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalGeology·DateJun 8, 2009
Researchers at UBC found that warmer, more acidic waters enable Purple Ochre Sea Stars to grow twice as fast as normal over 10 weeks. This discovery complicates current assumptions about climate change's impact on marine species.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2009
Scientists have shed light on the collapse of coral reefs, revealing their genetic complexity and intricate symbiotic relationship with algae. The delicate communication process between the coral and algae is also being stressed by global change, leading to coral bleaching and collapse.
SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateMay 28, 2009
A new study reveals that mother birds provide an early advantage to extra-pair offspring, giving them a size and survival advantage over their half-siblings. This non-genetic effect is attributed to the laying order of eggs, with extra-pair chicks hatching earlier than within-pair chicks.
SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 14, 2009
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
Research on cabbage looper caterpillars reveals that dietary bacteria can alter gene expression in metabolism, homeostasis, and immunity. The insects' ability to fine-tune their natural defenses through gene regulation may provide a survival advantage.
SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateMay 6, 2009
A new study reveals widespread and substantial declines in wildlife populations in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. The researchers found that a growing concentration of human settlements near the reserve is linked to large losses of wildlife, including giraffes, hartebeest, impala, and warthogs.
SourceBiosciences eastern and central Africa Hub (BecA-ILRI Hub)·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateApr 21, 2009
Researchers found that chameleons alter their sunbathing behavior in response to their dietary vitamin D intake, regulating UV exposure to maintain optimal levels. The study showed remarkable accuracy in the chameleons' ability to gauge and adjust their UV exposure based on internal vitamin D levels.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateApr 20, 2009
A recent study published in Science found that Ichthyostega, a four-limbed animal with backbones, may have been the more primitive form, acquired terrestrial habits later in development. In contrast, Acanthostega's limbs showed more similarities to earlier fish fins, indicating it may have returned to an aquatic lifestyle.
The study provides a comprehensive map of global malaria endemicity, revealing areas where malaria control can be improved and areas where elimination may be possible. The map uses model-based geostatistics to incorporate data from local surveys, providing an important resource for policymakers and researchers.
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution shows that human running efficiency changes with speed and has an optimal pace for covering distance with least effort. The most efficient running speed averaged around 8.3 miles per hour for males and 6.5 miles per hour for females.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateMar 19, 2009
Researchers found diatoms in freshwater and marine environments have distinct size patterns due to nutrient availability, with larger sizes thriving in oceans. Climate change could alter mixing depths and nutrient delivery, potentially reducing carbon sequestration efficiency.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 17, 2009
A recent study published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology found that mice with increased metabolism live just as long as those with slower metabolic rates, casting doubt on the rate-of-living theory. This contradicts the idea that faster living animals die young.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateMar 9, 2009
A study by Purdue University researcher Robert Swihart found that pine voles prefer oak roots over other tree roots, causing high mortality rates among oak seedlings. The rodents cause more damage to white oak roots than other trees, potentially leading to a decline in oak availability.
SourcePurdue University·JournalCanadian Journal of Zoology·DateMar 3, 2009
A foreign virus called Ranavirus is devastating frog populations in the UK, killing tens of thousands each year. The frogs' immune system has responded by changing a gene called MHC, which codes for a major part of their immune system.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 27, 2009
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.