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When rhinos fly: Upside down the right way for transport

Researchers find that hanging black rhinoceroses upside down improves ventilation to a small degree, enhancing the safety of these animals during capture and anesthesia. The study's findings have significant implications for conservation efforts in remote areas where helicopter-assisted aerial transport is often used.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateFeb 1, 2021

AI-based 'OxyGAN' is a robust, effective method to measure tissue oxygen levels

Researchers have developed an AI-based algorithm called OxyGAN to accurately measure tissue oxygenation from single snapshots. This approach uses a conditional generative adversarial network to learn realistic output images and determine correct reconstructions for given input data, demonstrating robustness in measuring oxygen levels.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateDec 1, 2020

OSIRIS-REx TAGs surface of asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully collected samples from the surface of asteroid Bennu, with the sampling head touching down within three feet of the targeted location. The majority of sample collection occurred within the first 3 seconds, and the spacecraft spent approximately 5 of the 6 seconds of contact collecting surface material.

The deep sea is slowly warming

Researchers found a warming trend in the deep sea, with temperature fluctuations detectable at depths of up to 4,757 meters. The increase in temperatures is consistent with global climate change, but more research is needed to understand its causes.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 13, 2020

UAlberta researchers find way to speed up nerve regrowth for trauma patients

Researchers at the University of Alberta have found a way to accelerate nerve regrowth in trauma patients by three to five times, leading to better outcomes. The treatment, known as conditioning electrical stimulation (CES), involves electrically stimulating nerves before surgery, causing them to regenerate faster.

A sole mate to prevent diabetic foot ulcers

Researchers developed a device that circulates cool water into pressure-relieving insoles to reduce foot temperature and diminish the risk of tissue breakdown. The device, TAPMARI, was tested in eight volunteers and showed promising results, potentially preventing thousands of amputations worldwide.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery·DateMay 21, 2020

How the brain responds to the sudden sound of silent danger

A novel neural circuit has been discovered in rats that responds to the sound of silence, triggering defense responses. The study found that a specific combination of brain regions, including those involved in sound processing and emotional responses, are necessary for rats to freeze in response to silent danger.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 12, 2020

Foot feathering in domesticated breeds of pigeons and chickens use same gene regulatory networks

Researchers found that regulatory mutations in TBX5 and PITX1 genes cause foot feathering in both domesticated breeds of chickens and pigeons. This study demonstrates a remarkable convergence in the evolution of this trait across species, suggesting that favored mutations have been spread through strong phenotypic selection.

Well-engineered 'watercourts' stored live fish, fueling Florida's Calusa kingdom

The Calusa kingdom relied primarily on fishing due to the watercourts, which were built around A.D. 1300 and served as short-term holding pens for fish before consumption or preservation. The structure's design required an understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology, and the biology of various fish species.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Study finds gorillas display territorial behavior

A new study by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge has found that gorillas recognize and respect 'ownership' of specific regions, influencing their movement patterns and behavior. The discovery provides important clues for understanding human evolution and social cooperation.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 12, 2020

Poor sight causes people to overstep the mark

Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that people with impaired vision lifted their lead foot higher but less quickly over obstacles, increasing their risk of falls. This pronounced gait also led to increased anxiety and decreased stability, highlighting the need for better vision correction and care.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 17, 2019

Last Arctic ice refuge is disappearing

New research reveals the last remaining Arctic ice refuge is disappearing due to increased ocean currents and atmospheric winds, with the oldest ice declining twice as fast as the rest. The Last Ice Area will soon be gone, threatening wildlife survival and potentially leading to the loss of species.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 12, 2019

Communicating uncertainty about climate change

A new Stanford study found that expressing uncertainty about climate change predictions increases public trust in scientists, but acknowledging unknown factors can undermine credibility. When climate scientists include best-case and worst-case scenarios, Americans are more trusting and accepting of their statements.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 17, 2019

The deeper these octopuses live, the wartier their skin

Researchers discovered that warty and smooth-skinned octopuses from different depths are the same species. The deeper they live, the bumpier their skin and smaller their bodies. Genetic analysis confirmed these findings, indicating that environmental factors, such as food availability, influence the animals' appearance.

SourceField Museum·JournalBulletin of Marine Science·DateOct 8, 2019

Fun run

A University of California - Santa Barbara mechanical engineer's simple running hack uses a light resistance band to increase efficiency by approximately 6.4%. The device optimizes the work needed to swing legs, reducing energy required during each impact with the ground and allowing for shorter strides.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 8, 2019

Leg amputees feel and use the prosthesis as a real limb

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a neuroprosthetic system that allows leg amputees to feel sensations from the prosthesis, giving them a sense of control and confidence while walking. The system involves tiny electrodes implanted in the nerve, allowing the brain to perceive the prosthesis as an extension of the body.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 2, 2019