Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Albatross study shows regional differences in ocean contamination

A new study has found significant regional differences in ocean contamination levels among albatrosses, with black-footed albatrosses foraging in the California Current exhibiting higher concentrations of mercury and organochlorine compounds. The findings suggest that these contaminants build up in the tissues of animals high on the fo...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Highlights from October ESA journals

New studies reveal that a significant portion of US species are threatened, with only 15% well-studied. Wandering albatrosses have an unique foraging strategy, catching prey in highly dispersed areas. Coral reefs can recover from nuclear tests within five years, but ecosystem integrity is crucial.

Quantifying network vulnerability, and the best way to find hidden items

Scientists at the University of Thessaloniki, Bar-Ilan University, and Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen have quantified network vulnerability, finding that knowledge of top nodes can significantly reduce attack points. This research has implications for controlling contagious disease spread through social networks.

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.

Whooping cranes stabilize vision to find food

Researchers found that whooping cranes exhibit high-amplitude head movements to control their visual world while searching for food. By holding the head still more than 50% of the time, they permit close and stable examination of objects in view, allowing accurate detection, localization, and recognition of food items.

Impulsive behavior may be relict of hunter-gatherer past

Research suggests that impulsive behavior in animals, including blue jays, may be an evolutionary adaptation to foraging in the wild. The study found that birds prioritized immediate rewards over delayed ones, as they would often forget about food and continue foraging. This impulsiveness may have been beneficial for survival but is no...

'Work stinks': It's more than just a slogan among ants, researchers find

Researchers found that ants use distinct body odors to signal tasks, such as foraging and patrolling, allowing them to coordinate complex behaviors without a hierarchical control structure. The discovery sheds light on the importance of scent in insect communication and has implications for fields like computer science and robotics.

Sea snake homing instinct could nix translocation

A recent study found that sea snakes exhibit strong homing instincts, returning to their native islands within a month after translocation. This suggests that populations may be more vulnerable to local threats and extinctions than previously thought.

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.

Will global warming improve crop production?

Climate change is expected to increase winter temperatures, leading to greater risks for perennial forage crops in Eastern Canada. The study used agro-climatic indices to analyze the effect of climate conditions on winter survival, finding increased risks due to warmer winters and reduced cold hardiness.

Gene plays key evolutionary role in food-gathering behaviors

A new study found that a specific gene stimulates an activity-boosting enzyme in the brain's visual processing centers of honeybees, leading to changes in foraging behavior. The gene's impact on foraging is similar to its effects in other species, suggesting a crucial role in understanding how genes influence behavior.

Protein tied to Alzheimer’s also plays key role in honeybees

Researchers found that forager bees have lower activity levels of a protein called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in their brains, which may lead to enhanced cognitive performance. A study led by Gene E. Robinson at the University of Illinois showed that reducing AChE activity improved learning abilities in foragers.