Research reveals that mating stimulates aggression in female fruit flies, making them more intolerant of others and changing their behavior, including increased ovulation and rejection of male advances. The study's findings have implications for understanding female competition and potentially controlling pest insect populations.
A study found that male great tits choose neighbors with similar personalities, while females prefer males based on attractive qualities. This behavior may influence bird survival and social organization.
A new study reveals that African lions and other big cat species are facing a high risk of extinction due to declining prey populations. The research suggests that the loss of prey species during the last Ice Age is continuing today, with only 25% of preferred prey remaining for African lions.
Researchers from Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit found that less affluent countries are more committed to protecting large animals than richer ones. The Mega-Fauna Conservation Index reveals that African nations, including Botswana and Tanzania, contribute significantly to conservation efforts.
A synthetic, soft tissue retina developed by an Oxford University student offers fresh hope to visually impaired people. The study uses biological, synthetic tissues and could transform the bionic implant industry and treat degenerative eye conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers from Oxford's Department of Chemistry experimentally elucidated the melting process of two-dimensional solid hard spheres. The study resolves one of condensed matter science's most fundamental issues and provides the cornerstone for further understanding and development of two-dimensional materials.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that FIB can fundamentally alter a material's structure, affecting its entire sample. The team developed new X-ray techniques to assess this damage and will focus on developing strategies to mitigate FIB damage.
A new study by Oxford University reveals that homing pigeons can accumulate knowledge and improve their flight paths over time, mirroring human cumulative culture. The birds' collective intelligence enables them to streamline their routes, outperforming solo or group flights with no membership changes.
A newly discovered pistol shrimp species has been named Synalpheus pinkfloydi in recognition of Pink Floyd's influence. The bright pink-clawed shrimp creates a loud sonic energy similar to the band's iconic sound.
A new study found that puffin pairs that migrate close together have higher breeding success rates. Female winter foraging efforts also play a crucial role in determining pair breeding success. The study used geolocators to track the migratory movements of 12 pairs of Atlantic Puffins, revealing that pairs following similar migration r...
A study analyzing Wikipedia articles about airline crashes between 2008 and 2016 found that recent events trigger past memories, with a short-term attention span for recent crashes. Aviation disasters with large numbers of deaths are more memorable than reported events with fewer fatalities.
A new Oxford University collaboration analyzed mosquito wing movements to understand flight dynamics. The study revealed two novel aerodynamic mechanisms, including trailing-edge vortices and rotational drag, that enable high-frequency flight.
A consortium of UK universities has been awarded £3 million to establish a national high-performance computing facility for machine learning. The Joint Academic Data Science Endeavour (JADE) will provide computational resources for researchers in machine learning and data science.
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a system to transmit quantum keys, ensuring data security and detecting eavesdropping. The prototype uses movable mirrors and ultrafast LEDs to send secret pin-codes over short distances, improving the security of contactless transactions.
A new study by Oxford casts doubt on whether internet filters in the home effectively shield young people from unpleasant online experiences. Researchers found that homes with internet filters had no link to lower rates of negative online experiences among teenagers.
Researchers analyzed Wikipedia bots' interactions on 13 language editions over ten years, finding they behave differently in culturally distinct environments. Bots often engage in 'sterile fights' lasting years or reaching deadlock, with conflicts triggered later than human reverts.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that cooperative breeding is driven by genetic bonds in family groups, rather than a survival strategy. Species with close familial ties are more likely to form cooperative groups and thrive in harsh environments.
Researchers discovered that brown recluse spiders use a micro looping technique to make their threads stronger than other spiders, with the added benefit of preventing premature breakage. This technique could lead to new fibre technology inspired by the spider's silk, potentially improving impact absorbing structures in space travel.
A new research paper published in Science argues that the US government's national security systems have not adapted sufficiently to the threats posed by groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State. The paper calls for more field research on young people to inform machine learning and big data analysis to combat terrorism.
Scientists have discovered incredibly rapid gas flares from a white dwarf binary star system for the first time. The unusual activity was observed at radio wavelengths in SS Cyg, one of the brightest variable stars in the constellation of Cygnus.
A UK study found that overuse of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin led to a severe diarrhoea outbreak caused by antibiotic-resistant C. difficile bugs. Reducing fluoroquinolone use resulted in an 80% fall in infections, highlighting the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
New research reveals that retroviruses, including HIV, have been present on Earth for at least 450 million years, originating together with vertebrate hosts in the early Paleozoic era. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary history of these medically important viruses and their ongoing interactions with host immunity.
Research from the University of Oxford found that a woman's family background is the major factor in delaying motherhood, with education contributing only 1.5 months to the total six-month delay.
Researchers found that providing free sanitary pads and puberty education to girls in Uganda improves their school attendance levels by 17%, compared to schools without such interventions. This simple yet effective approach can have major long-term economic implications for women's education and empowerment.
Researchers at Oxford University create new method for counting lions, using spatially explicit approach with high-resolution photographs and powerful computers. The study estimates 16.85 lions per 100 square kilometers in the Maasai Mara, with a posterior standard deviation of just 1.3.
Two studies led by Oxford University scientists found that human activities caused 88% of male lion deaths in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. The research highlights the risks faced by lions when they enter farmland or hunting areas, and the need for improved trophy hunting management to protect populations.
Scientists at University of Oxford discovered that ducklings have two separate memory banks for visual information, which can cause internal conflicts. The findings shed light on how birds' brains work, highlighting the differences between avian and mammalian brains.
Researchers explore how Pokémon Go inspires high levels of behavioral change among users, discovering non-virtual wildlife and learning basic natural history concepts. The game's success highlights opportunities for conservation, but also potential challenges such as replacing real-world nature interactions with virtual ones.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have found that dietary composition affects DNA sequences in parasites, revealing a previously hidden relationship between cellular metabolism and evolution. The study also shows that it is possible to predict diets based on genetic analysis.
Researchers found that Goffin's cockatoos can make elongated tools of appropriate shape and length out of various materials, including larch wood, leafy beech twigs, and cardboard. The birds demonstrated problem-solving skills by anticipating tool requirements and adapting their techniques to produce functional instruments.
A new study linked Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense law to a 24% increase in homicide rates and 31% rise in firearm-related injuries from 2005-2014. The research suggests the law's extension of lethal force rights in public led to increased violence, particularly among young adults and white populations.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a simple solution to prevent splashback of harmful or unhygienic fluids, including using soft materials like silicone to create a barrier. The technique has potential applications in hospitals, kitchens, and even urinals to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
A new study by the University of Oxford has created a plant-species hotspot map for tropical Africa, identifying critical areas for global biodiversity conservation. The map reveals regions with high concentrations of globally rare plants, such as the Horn of Africa and south-east Democratic Republic of Congo.
A new study from Oxford University reveals that the first month after infection is crucial in controlling drug-related HIV spread. Researchers found that needle exchange programmes and harm reduction measures are essential in targeting transmissions within this period.
A new study reveals that small DNA molecules known as plasmids accelerate the evolution of new forms of antibiotic resistance. Plasmids are found in many bacteria and are capable of transferring resistance genes between them.
Chicks are less honest when begging for food in family groups with conflict, research by University of Oxford scientists found. Analysis of over 100 studies across 60 bird species showed that chicks exaggerate their need for food if parents are likely to breed again in the future.
A new Oxford University study found that internet gaming is not as addictive as gambling, with only 2-3% of gamers reporting symptoms of internet gaming disorder. The study suggests that while gamers may experience negative effects, they are not as severe as those experienced by gamblers.
Researchers have identified 12 specific DNA areas that influence the age at first birth and total number of children. The study, led by the University of Oxford, analyzed data from over 238,000 men and women to discover genetic variants linked to reproductive behavior.
A team of scientists found that the evidence for an accelerating expansion of the universe may be flimsier than previously thought, with data consistent with a constant rate of expansion. The study challenges the standard cosmological concept and suggests that dark energy, a mysterious substance driving this acceleration, may not exist.
A new discovery by scientists at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Cardiff has shown that hydrocarbon wax rapidly releases large amounts of hydrogen when activated with catalysts and microwaves. This breakthrough could pave the way for widespread adoption of hydrogen-fuelled cars.
Researchers observed wild-bearded capuchin monkeys in Brazil creating fractured flakes and cores with characteristics of early Stone Age hominin tools. The monkeys' behavior suggests they may be extracting minerals or lichen from stones, but their actions are unintentional and distinct from human tool-making.
Researchers found that a new casting technique called close contact casting can reduce the need for surgery in elderly patients with unstable ankle fractures while minimizing drawbacks of traditional casts. The study compared outcomes between close contact casting and traditional surgical treatment.
A recent study analyzed data on 1,500 plane crashes and found that a death toll of around 50 is the minimum threshold for predicting significant levels of public interest. The research also showed that location, media coverage, and other factors influence article views, highlighting biases in Wikipedia's 'sum of human knowledge'.
A rapid blood test using C-reactive protein (CRP) can rule out serious infections in nearly 40% of 'at-risk' children. The test reduces unnecessary hospital referrals and anxiety for less seriously ill children.
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a non-toxic solvent system that can be used to manufacture perovskite solar cells, overcoming a major barrier to their commercialization. The clean solvent quickly crystallizes perovskite films at room temperature, making it suitable for coating large solar panels.
Researchers confirm cluster of cases in Chile, suggesting wider global distribution than previously understood. Scrub typhus kills at least 140,000 people annually and is transmitted through mite bites.
Scientists found a novel mutation in modern feral Hawaiian pigs that explains their black coats, suggesting humans across the world have selected and bred black pigs independently. The study suggests Polynesians brought domestic pigs to Hawaii 800 years ago and humans later selected for black coats on at least three separate occasions.
Research confirms spider webs are superbly tuned instruments for vibration transmission, with web tension and stiffness controlling information sent. Spiders use web vibrations to detect prey and predators, with their 'view' relying almost exclusively on this sensory input.
Researchers tested an oral rabies vaccine in wild populations of Ethiopian wolves, with promising results. The trials found that 86% of vaccinated wolves had sufficient levels of protective antibodies, and all but one were alive 14 months later.
Researchers found that Manx shearwaters suffered decreased breeding success when they had to spend more time rearing chicks, leading to delayed migration and reduced resting time. This study provides insights into the consequences of carry-over effects on migratory birds' annual cycles.