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Climate is most important factor in where mammals choose to live, study finds

A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that climate was the most important factor in determining where mammals can thrive. Climate change will affect wildlife populations, and understanding these factors is crucial for making sustainable decisions about mammal population management.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Size doesn’t matter for mammals with more complex brains, according to new study

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that mammals with more developed brains tend to exhibit smaller sexual size dimorphism (SSD), meaning there is less difference in size between males and females. This suggests that complex brain development may be linked to other traits such as social behavior and mate selection.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2024

New study confirms mammal-to-mammal avian flu spread

A Cornell University study reveals efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 between cows and from cows to cats and a raccoon. The virus shows high tropism for the mammary gland and infectious viral loads in milk.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2024

Research tracks 66 million years of mammalian diversity

A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln examines fossil records going back 66 million years, tracking changes in mammalian ecosystems and species diversity. The research reveals that following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, mammalian communities experienced a surge in functional diversity for 10 million years.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2024

UMA scientists find a natural quicksand trap dated to more than one million years ago in the ‘elephant graveyard’ of Orce

Scientists at the University of Malaga have uncovered a natural quicksand trap in the 'elephant graveyard' of Orce, dated to over 1.4 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into human presence in Western Europe and competition with large carrion hyenas for meat resources.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalJournal of Iberian Geology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Scientists turn white fat cells into calorie-burning beige fat

Researchers at UCSF have discovered a way to turn ordinary white fat cells into beige fat cells that burn calories, opening the door to developing new weight-loss drugs. The approach uses a protein called KLF-15 and may avoid side effects associated with current treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 1, 2024

The evidence is mounting: humans were responsible for the extinction of large mammals

Researchers from Aarhus University conclude that human hunting was responsible for the extinction of at least 161 species of large mammals over the past 50,000 years. The analysis of various research fields, including climate history and genetic estimates, suggests that human hunting was widespread and consistent across the world.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCambridge Prisms Extinction·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 1, 2024

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreak in Finnish fur farms

A recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Finnish fur farms resulted in severe disease and widespread inflammation in infected animals. The virus caused significant adaptations to mammalian hosts, increasing the risk of potential human infection.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2024

Marsupials key to discovering the origin of heater organs in mammals

Research from Stockholm University reveals that marsupials possess a not fully evolved form of brown fat, a crucial finding for understanding the origin and regulation of this heat-producing organ. The study suggests that the gene networks required to enable thermogenesis existed before the divergence of marsupials and placental mammals.

SourceStockholm University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024
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.

Wire snare removal in protected areas is labor-intensive but effective – and essential to solving the Southeast Asian snaring crisis

Intensive wire snare removal efforts reduced snaring by almost 40% in protected areas of Viet Nam, according to an 11-year study. The effectiveness of snare removal was mainly achieved within the first 6 years, but its impact alone is unlikely to protect wildlife due to ongoing snaring threats.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalConservation Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 3, 2024

Slugs and snails love the city, unlike other animals

A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2024

Echidnapus identified from an ‘Age of Monotremes’

Australian researchers have identified a new species of ancient 'echidnapus', which exhibits platypus-like anatomy alongside echidna-like features. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of monotremes, revealing six different egg-laying mammals living together in the same area over 100 million years ago.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAlcheringa An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology·DateMay 26, 2024
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.

The beginning of becoming a human

Researchers Polina A. Loseva and Vadim N. Gladyshev challenge the existing definition of human life, suggesting a new meaning for the 14-day stage in organismal life grounded in recent mechanistic advances and insights from aging studies. This stage defines the separation of soma from the germline and marks the boundary between rejuven...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2024

Small adaptation helps lemurs make a big noise

Researchers discovered lemurs possess an additional pair of vocal folds, which they believe is responsible for enriching their vocal repertoire and allowing them to exaggerate their size. This adaptation may have provided a selective advantage in competition for territory or mates.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 29, 2024

Lemur’s lament: When one vulnerable species stalks another

Researchers observed a rare instance of lemur predation by a fosa in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve. The impact of this predation, combined with low reproductive rates and genetic isolation, poses significant threats to the survival of critically endangered lemurs.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Island bats are valuable allies for farmers

A new study reveals that three island bat species feed on over 40% of agricultural pests, including banana moths and turnip moths. This finding highlights the importance of bats in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests that encouraging these mammals can be a win-win for conservation and local farmers.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateApr 16, 2024

System uses artificial intelligence to detect wild animals on roads and avoid accidents

A team of researchers developed an AI-powered computer vision model to detect Brazilian wild animals on roads and warn drivers in real-time. The system uses roadside cameras and portable computers to identify species such as anteaters, wolves, and tapirs, with the potential to save lives and reduce roadkill.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2024

Two Jurassic mammaliaforms from China shed light on mammalian evolution

Researchers describe two Jurassic mammaliaforms from China, revealing dental diversification and the emergence of middle ear ossicles. The findings support a classic example of vertebrate evolution and provide new insights into early mammalian phylogeny.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 3, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Jurassic shuotheriids reveal earliest dental diversification of mammaliaforms

Researchers have discovered that shuotheriids, ancient mammal-like animals from the Jurassic Period, had unique dental characteristics that suggest a closer relationship to docodontans. The study reveals that shuotheriids do not have a genuine trigonid in their bottom teeth, indicating a new perspective on the evolutionary past of thes...

SourceMuseum Victoria·JournalNature·DateApr 3, 2024

Two newly described fossils help solve early mammal mysteries

The discovery of two newly described fossils from the Jurassic period has provided fresh insights into the early evolution of mammals. The fossils, which include well-preserved skeletal remains of shuotheriids, have allowed scientists to solve a longstanding problem in understanding mammalian tooth shape.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalNature·DateApr 3, 2024

Small birds spice up the already diverse diet of spotted hyenas in Namibia

Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research observed spotted hyenas chasing and devouring flying birds at a waterhole in Namibia. They found that a single hyena can catch one bird every three minutes, adding to the known variety of their diet and hunting tactics.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalFood Webs·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2024

Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog

A study led by Leopold Eckhart found that the genetic programme controlling keratinized claws originated in a common ancestor of humans and frogs. The research team used the tropical clawed frog as an experimental model and discovered that important hair components, including keratins, share similarities with human hair.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 18, 2024
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Low-cost versatile mesoscope makes brain imaging in rodents more accessible

Researchers developed a custom-built, low-cost mesoscope that can adapt to different neuroimaging experiments in live mice and rats. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolutions, achieved through its reversible tandem lens configuration, which enables flexible experimentation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateMar 12, 2024

Cicadas’ unique urination unlocks new understanding of fluid dynamics

Researchers studied cicadas' jet-like urination to challenge insect pee paradigms. They found that larger animals like cicadas can emit jets due to gravity and inertial forces, unlike smaller ones that typically produce droplets. This discovery has far-reaching implications for bio-inspired engineering and monitoring applications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2024

Natural history specimens have never been so accessible

Researchers have created 3D images of over half of the world's animal groups using CT scans, making them accessible to scientists, researchers, students, teachers, and artists. The open-source repository MorphoSource allows users to share findings and improve access to material critical for scientific discovery.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalBioScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 11, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Bat ‘nightclubs’ may be the key to solving the next pandemic

Researchers at Texas A&M discovered that immune genes are frequently exchanged between Myotis bat species during seasonal mating swarms, potentially helping humans fight emerging diseases. The study's findings have opened new questions about the importance of hybridization in evolution and its impact on genomicists' knowledge.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalCell Genomics·DateFeb 20, 2024
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.

High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape

Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 31, 2024

Midbrain awakens gift of gab in chatty midshipman fish

Research reveals that the midbrain of midshipman fish initiates and patterns sounds used in vocal communication. The findings suggest a functional comparable periaqueductal gray node between fish and mammals, which can influence acoustic structure of social context-specific vocal signals.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2024

Researchers prove human influence on large herbivore diets during anthropocene

A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that human population growth and land-use changes led to significant dietary shifts in large herbivores in eastern China. The researchers found that these herbivores adapted by altering their diets, with increased interspecific differences and expanded intraspecific dietary ranges.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalEcology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 24, 2023

Coevolution helps Santa's reindeer feast after flight

Researchers discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.

SourceDartmouth College·Journali-Perception·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Migratory bats can detect the Earth’s magnetic field

A study found that migratory bats are sensitive to the angle of magnetic inclination and use it for navigation. The soprano pipistrelle bat species calibrated its internal compass at sunset, taking into account both the horizontal component and inclination of the Earth's magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalBiology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2023

Aging modulates extracellular vesicles of epidermal keratinocytes

Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Findings challenge standard understanding of COVID-19 infection

Researchers at UC Riverside found that SARS-CoV-2 entry varies among different species and tissue types, highlighting the need for thorough investigations into viral entry mechanisms. The study's findings suggest that targeting TMPRSS2 may not be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in mink.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023
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.

Mummified mice discovered atop sky-high Andean volcanoes

Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 23, 2023

Rice researcher scans tropical forest with mixed-reality device

A Rice University scientist used a mixed-reality headset with custom-designed software to measure and analyze forest floor vegetation in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The study found that mammal diversity increases with forest floor habitat surface area, leading to a greater variety of ecological characteristics.

SourceRice University·JournalEcology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2023
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.

Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna

A recent study found that animals in the Greater Kruger National Park react with alarm to hearing human voices, fleeing waterholes and abandoning their habitat. The researchers used custom sound systems to compare the fear response of mammals to humans versus lions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2023

New research into pangolin genomics may aid in conservation efforts

A new study provides comprehensive genomic resources for pangolins, helping protect these threatened mammals from extinction due to habitat loss and trafficking. The data will aid in conservation priorities and management plans, as well as tracing the pangolin trade.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 5, 2023
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Echoes of extinctions: Novel method unearths disruptions in mammal trait-environment relationships

A team of researchers used a novel methodology to investigate the impact of large mammal extinctions on their environments. They found that earlier biodiversity losses did not necessarily hinder mammal community functioning, but later losses were linked to changes in climate and vegetation patterns.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Tracking the ol' mutation trail

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered the mechanism by which breast cancer forms in mammalian epithelial cells. The team found that approximately 20 mutations accumulate annually in each cell until menopause, after which the rate decreases significantly.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Editorial: Epigenetic aging in oocytes

The editorial discusses epigenetic mechanisms leading to oocyte quality loss, a significant factor in age-related fertility decline. Researchers highlight the importance of understanding this process to address the growing issue of advanced maternal age and its impact on reproduction.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 30, 2023
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.

Hidden moles in hidden holes

Scientists have identified two new mole species in eastern Turkey, belonging to the Talpa genus, which has been living undiscovered for up to 3 million years. The study, using cutting-edge DNA technology, confirms their biological distinctness from other moles in the group.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2023