A triceratops specimen known as 'Big John' displays injuries to the skull that may have occurred during combat with another triceratops. The fossilized remains show signs of a traumatic injury and healing process, suggesting similarities between dinosaur and mammalian bone repair mechanisms.
Fish species zebra mbuna and stingrays are found to possess numerical abilities on par with other vertebrate species. Through training, six of the eight zebra mbuna and three out of eight stingrays learned to associate blue with addition and yellow with subtraction, demonstrating consistent performance in recognizing numbers from 1 to 5.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that mammals with larger brains than similar-sized species were more likely to have survived extinction. The researchers investigated brain sizes of 291 living mammal species and 50 extinct species, discovering a significant correlation between brain size and survival.
A survey of Finnish dog-owners found that repetitive behaviors like tail-chasing are more common among first-time owners, those living with larger families, and exercising for less than an hour per day. These behaviors were associated with a range of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors.
Floating microplastics from European rivers are found to accumulate in parts of the Arctic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Baffin Bay. The study's model predicts that these particles have been circulating throughout the Arctic for at least ten years, highlighting concerns for Arctic ecosystems' health.
A study in Hawaiian coral species found that some display resilience to ocean warming and acidification. Coral samples survived better under certain conditions, with Porites compressa being more resilient than Montipora capitata.
A survey of 426 Italian dog owners found that 86% observed negative changes in surviving dogs' behavior after the death of their companion. These changes included increased attention seeking, decreased activity, and fearfulness.
Female mosquitoes learn to avoid pesticides after a single exposure, allowing them to seek out safer food sources and resting sites. The study found that pre-exposed mosquitoes were more likely to avoid pesticide-treated nets and rest in pesticide-free containers.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals in happier countries who perceive societal pressure to be happy report poorer wellbeing. The relationship between societal pressure and poor wellbeing was almost twice as strong in countries with higher World Happiness Index scores.
A young diplodocid dinosaur with abnormal bony protrusions in its neck bones may have suffered from a fungal respiratory infection similar to aspergillosis. The study provides the first evidence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur.
A study of 744 Polish adults found that less than two thirds can correctly estimate their own BMI, with men underestimating their size more frequently. The research suggests that psychological interventions may help people better manage their weight by addressing body size perceptions.
A recent study found that consuming traditional forms of media, such as books and music, has negligible effect on anxiety and happiness levels in adults. However, engaging with newer types of media, like social media and video games, was linked to lower happiness and higher anxiety levels.
A new species of millipede with 1,306 legs has been discovered in Australia's Eastern Goldfields Province. The creature, named Eumillipes persephone, is the first recorded to have more than 750 legs.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
A new study found that 60% of countries involved in SDG partnerships are high- or upper-middle-income, while lower-income countries have limited participation. The unequal distribution of partnerships may hinder sustainable development worldwide.
A study using GDPR-compliant mobile phone data found significant decreases in household mixing during the first two lockdowns, but increases during the third, coinciding with the vaccine rollout.
Whale-watch vessels with louder petrol engines significantly disrupt short-finned pilot whale resting and nursing, according to a study. The researchers found that mothers who were approached by the vessel with the petrol engine spent on average 29% less time resting and 81% less time nursing their calves.
A national survey found that half of US vaccine hesitant individuals believe nothing will convince them to get vaccinated. Most cited concerns about vaccine safety as the reason for their unwillingness.
A modelling study estimates nearly a quarter of a million unowned cats in UK urban areas, with higher deprivation and density linked to higher abundance. Socioeconomic factors and human population density were key predictors of unowned cat presence.
A study published in Scientific Reports found fossilized remains of sauropodomorphs, including eggs and skeletal remains, that suggest the earliest evidence of herd living in dinosaurs. The fossils, dated to approximately 193 million years old, show age-specific clusters of individuals, indicating possible herding behavior.
A study found that gun violence rates in the US increased by 31.2% during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. The authors speculate that increased access to firearms and depressive symptoms may be contributing factors.
A survey of 299 adults and three experiments with over 1,324 participants found that 86% would get vaccinated if required for work, travel, or school. Vaccination requirements strengthened intentions to vaccinate, even among those who tend to react negatively to regulations.
A modelling study suggests that COVID-19 could lead to the collapse of a population of mountain gorillas living in Volcanoes National Park. The risk is higher due to lower availability of treatments for gorillas, but measures like mask-wearing and vaccination can limit transmission.
A study found that Amazonian and Afrotropical communities consuming wild meat may spare up to 71 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by replacing beef or poultry with wild meat. This could generate millions of dollars in carbon credit sales, but unsustainable hunting practices must be avoided.
Researchers discovered fossilized footprint tracks of straight-tusked elephants, indicating a Late Pleistocene nursery site in Huelva, Spain. The tracks suggest that young elephants, possibly up to two years old, were raised in this area, which may have provided a food source and reproductive habitat for female elephant herds.
Researchers found that listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K448) for at least 30 seconds was associated with a significant reduction in epilepsy-associated electrical activity spikes. The study suggests that the therapeutic effects may be linked to positive emotional responses triggered by the music.
A study published in Scientific Reports discovered dental caries in prehistoric primates, indicating a high fruit diet or sugar-rich foods. The prevalence of caries fluctuated over time, suggesting changes in the primates' diet between sugary and non-sugary foods.
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that between 10.3% and 82% of the global ocean may experience new climates with higher temperatures and lower aragonite saturation by 2100. The disappearance of these climates could force marine species to adapt rapidly or disappear.
Researchers suggest sea snakes mistake divers for rival snakes or potential mates and female sea snakes perceive them as hiding places. Staying still allows divers to avoid escalation and bites.
Researchers have identified a massive coral structure in the Great Barrier Reef, measuring 5.3m tall and 10.4m wide, which is not only the widest but also the sixth tallest recorded in the reef.
Scientists have discovered three new dinosaur fossils in Northwest China, representing two new species: Silutitan sinensis and Hamititan xinjiangensis. The findings shed light on sauropods in the region and increase the known diversity of Mesozoic reptiles in the area.
Researchers found that weighted restraint significantly decreases lung reserve volume and increases breathing effort during recovery from exercise. The study's findings suggest that prolonged application of weighted restraint could pose a threat to the subject's survival.
Researchers found that hatchling pterosaur wings were stronger than those of many adult pterosaurs, suggesting they could fly. Their wing dimensions were also more suited for agility and quick changes in direction, possibly allowing them to escape predators and catch nimbler prey.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that patients with a history of malnutrition are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death and mechanical ventilation. The research suggests that public health interventions targeting malnutrition may help mitigate this increased risk, particularly among older adults.
Researchers have discovered a Roman road submerged in the Venice Lagoon, indicating potential permanent settlement and connections to wider Italian Veneto Region. The findings suggest that the road may have been used by travellers and sailors, providing new insights into ancient trade routes.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that harpy eagles rely on specific prey in canopy forests and starve when these areas are heavily deforested. As a result, breeding pairs may decline by up to 3,256 since 1985, emphasizing the need for forest conservation.
A new device that fits over a person's ears can measure real-time changes in blood alcohol levels through the skin. The device collects gas released through the skin and uses an ethanol vapour sensor to calculate ethanol concentrations.
Researchers reanalyzed the skeletal remains of 61 individuals from Jebel Sahaba cemetery, finding 106 previously undocumented lesions and traumas. Healed trauma suggests individuals fought and survived multiple violent assaults, rather than one fatal event.
A 100-million-year-old side-necked turtle fossil from Texas provides evidence of marine adaptations, challenging previous understanding of the oldest known species. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of bothremydid turtles and their potential migration to North America.
Fossilised footprints from 58 million-year-old rocks in Wyoming reveal that early mammals used marine habitats, pushing back an estimated 9.4 million years of previous assumptions. The prints showed diverse tracks, including those of semiaquatic mammals and artiodactyls.
A study has found that climate change may be causing the degradation of ancient rock paintings in Indonesia, dating back up to 45,000 years. The researchers analyzed flakes of rock and found high levels of salts, which can cause rocks to break apart, suggesting a widespread process in Maros-Pangkep.
A study of 12,306 pediatric COVID-19 patients found that many children do not display typical symptoms such as fever and cough. The risk of hospitalization varies across racial/ethnic groups, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children being at higher risk.
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that mountain gorillas use chest beats to convey information about their body size, allowing identification of individuals. The sound frequencies of chest beats made by larger males were significantly lower than those made by smaller males.
Researchers analyzed ankylosaurid skeleton from Mongolia's Baruungoyot Formation, finding evidence of adaptations for digging. The discovery sheds light on the behavior and habits of these ancient creatures.
Wild bonobos have been observed adopting infants from different social groups, providing maternal care, including nursing and nesting. The findings suggest that adoption in bonobos may not be limited to kin relationships or pre-existing social bonds.
A combination of three gene drive technologies could effectively suppress a targeted grey squirrel population while limiting the risk to native species. The combined technology introduces genes that induce infertility in females, allowing for population control.
A shift in beverage sales towards medium-sized plastic bottles could reduce PET waste by 1% each year, resulting in a potential reduction of 9,052 tonnes. Medium-sized bottles with capacities above 2,265 milliliters deliver the highest volume of beverage for the lowest packaging weight.
A study published in Scientific Reports estimates that COVID-19 may have caused 20.507 million years of life loss worldwide, with a significant impact on younger and older populations. The authors found that 44.9% of the total years lost occurred among individuals between 55 and 75 years old.
Researchers tested dogs in a 'body as an obstacle' task, where they had to pick up a toy attached to a mat or the ground. The dogs left the mat more frequently when the toy was attached, suggesting body awareness and understanding of consequences.
Fossil burrows from northeast Taiwan reveal that giant ambush-predator worms, possibly ancestors of the 'bobbit worm', colonized the seafloor around 20 million years ago. The L-shaped burrows, reconstructed by Ludvig Löwemark and colleagues, provide a rare glimpse into these creatures' behavior beneath the seafloor.