Researchers found that cetaceans' backbones are highly regionalized, with a shift in vertebral column driving locomotion in aquatic environments. The team developed a computational software, MorphoRegions, to analyze the backbone of each specimen individually.
SourceHarvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers at the University of Washington have uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, revealing that males can visually lock on to female targets in a crowded swarm. The team's findings could lead to the development of new mosquito traps specific to malaria-carrying species.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2024
The globular springtail's jumping prowess is a unique and spectacular display of agility and speed. By using its furca appendage to launch itself into the air, it can achieve incredible backflips, reaching speeds of up to 368 rotations per second and distances of over 60 times its own height.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIntegrative Organismal Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2024
Researchers studied kestrels' hovering flight behavior, revealing insights that could improve drone stability in turbulent conditions. The study found that birds use changes in wing surface area to achieve stable flight, a method that could be applied to morphing wings in drones.
SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 7, 2024
Researchers found that fishing impacts not only caught fish but also those left behind, causing widespread behavioral change. Single males at fished sites were twice as likely to flee and took two and a half times longer to return to their territories than fish at unfished sites.
SourceLancaster University·JournalBiology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 7, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers studied the anatomy of mudskippers to understand their adaptations to life on land. They found that the fish's muscles in the pectoral fins are bigger and that some bone-connecting tendons were replaced by fascia tissue, providing stability and strength for walking.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Anatomy·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 19, 2024
Researchers have unveiled insights into how microscopic organisms such as marine plankton move through water with different density layers. The study reveals two types of microscopic swimmers that navigate density gradients differently, with pullers moving parallel to the gradient and pushers swimming perpendicular.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2024
Researchers found that ants need three main things to succeed when hitchhiking: climbing ability, foraging/colonizing behaviors, and temperature tolerance. The study tracked the spread of invasive ants through non-commercial transport on personal vehicles, highlighting a significant threat to native species.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalEcological Entomology·DateJun 27, 2024
A recent study found that schooling fish expend up to 79% less energy while swimming in turbulent water compared to solitary fish. This suggests that traveling in schools allows fish to shield each other from disruptive water currents, making it easier to swim through rough waters.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024
Researchers found that zebrafish synchronize movements by taking turns to move and responding to neighbors' timing, a two-way process known as reciprocity. Virtual reality experiments confirmed the principle, enabling the recreation of natural schooling behavior in fish and virtual conspecifics.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 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.
Researchers used a computational model to analyze flow interactions among schools of fish, revealing that in-phase synchronization saves energy equally, while anti-phase movements increase energy demand. The study suggests that fish might be motivated by greed rather than cooperation when assuming their preferred swimming position.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered that salps, gelatinous marine animals, use coordinated jet propulsion to swim through the ocean in giant corkscrew shapes. This unusual locomotion could inspire new designs for efficient underwater vehicles and may even enable silent and less turbulent navigation.
SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024
A study found that male baby chickens play more than females, with males engaging in social and object play. The researchers suggest that this difference may be due to the high degree of sexual dimorphism in adult junglefowl.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ethology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2024
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers trained a quadruped robot using deep reinforcement learning to learn gait transitions on challenging terrain. The robot transitioned from walking to trotting and then to pronking to avoid falls, demonstrating the emergence of animal-like locomotion.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024
Researchers analyzed genomes of 363 bird species and found significant variations in cryptochrome 4 gene, indicating adaptation to environmental conditions. This specialization could be related to magnetoreception in migratory birds.
SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2024
A newly described species of ichthyosaur, named Ichthyotitan severnensis, is believed to be the largest known marine reptile, with estimates suggesting it could have reached up to 82 feet in length. The discovery was made from fossilized jawbone fragments found in Somerset, UK.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024
A new reconstruction of the 375-million-year-old fossil fish Tiktaalik reveals that its ribs likely attached to its pelvis, enabling support of the body and potentially leading to the evolution of walking. This discovery provides insights into the major evolutionary transition from fish to four-limbed vertebrates.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2024
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.
A study published in Nature Communications found that the fastest animals are medium-sized, like cheetahs, due to a physical limit imposed by muscle contraction speed and shortening. This sweet spot size of around 50kg enables animals to reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour
SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 12, 2024
A new study refutes previous research suggesting Spinosaurus was an aquatic pursuit predator, highlighting methodological flaws and low accuracy of phylogenetic flexible discriminant analysis. The researchers provide guidelines for future studies to use with caution when applying this methodology to limited datasets.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2024
Scientists at Caltech have developed a new type of robotic jellyfish that can swim faster and carry payloads, making them ideal for collecting oceanic climate data. The biohybrid creatures use electronics to enhance their swimming abilities and can reach speeds of up to 4.5 times those of natural jellyfish.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateFeb 28, 2024
A study by Harvard researchers found that fish group behavior can reduce energy costs by up to 50%, with coordinated movement allowing for more efficient swimming. By measuring the energetic cost of individual and group movements, the team discovered a J-shaped relationship between speed and energy expenditure.
SourceHarvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology·JournaleLife·DateFeb 20, 2024
Scientists discovered a common trait among flying birds, including the number of primary feathers, to determine their evolutionary history. The finding provides clues about dinosaur flight and may inform debates on its origins.
SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 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.
A new study of a 7–8-million-year-old extinct fossil ape from China, Lufengpithecus, offers new insights into the evolution of human bipedalism. The researchers found that early apes shared a locomotor repertoire ancestral to human bipedalism, and their analysis suggests a three-step evolution of human bipedalism.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Innovation·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024
Marine plankton sense external water pressure through the same cells that detect light, triggering them to swim upwards. The larvae respond to increased pressure by swimming faster and in a straighter trajectory.
A recent study on the fossil ape Lufengpithecus offers insights into the origins of human bipedalism. By analyzing the inner ear region, researchers discovered a three-step evolution process that led to human walking, with early apes using tree-like locomotion and later developing a combination of climbing and terrestrial quadrupedalism.
SourceNew York University·JournalThe Innovation·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 29, 2024
Researchers examined thresher shark vertebrae and found unique anatomical modifications supporting extreme body bending during tail-whipping behavior. These findings suggest the vertebral column is fortified along its length, enabling the tail to launch over the head.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 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.
Research reveals that fish from the same species can evolve unique sense of smell and display individual foraging 'personalities' to successfully find food. The study highlights the importance of behavioral studies in understanding how sensory systems evolve and resulting fish behavior.
SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023
A newly described mosasaur, the Wakayama Soryu (blue dragon), had a distinctive shark-like dorsal fin and massive flippers that defied classification. The specimen, discovered in Japan, is the most complete mosasaur skeleton found in the country, with features that challenge current understanding of its swimming abilities.
SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2023
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
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.
Researchers discovered ancient bird-like footprints in Southern Africa that date back over 210 million years, 60 million years before the earliest known bird fossil. The tracks were found at multiple sites and show a mix of dinosaur and bird-like characteristics.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2023
Researchers from Tohoku University developed a model that simulates fish tail fin motion and reveals the underlying mechanisms behind synchronized swimming. The study found that synchronizing fin movements reduces energy dissipation, but the optimal timing may not always lead to conservation of energy.
SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 6, 2023
Researchers develop a phase shift parameter to describe animal locomotion, combining forces of inertia, gravity, elasticity and viscosity into one dimensionless number. This new parameter predicts muscle activation patterns in a wide range of animals during locomotion.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed three morphing robotic schemes that can change shape on demand, mimicking nature's adaptability. The robots can sense their surroundings, adjust their shape to grasp or navigate obstacles, and potentially aid humans in disaster areas.
SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 27, 2023
Researchers used a new analytical approach to understand how the brain controls movement and eye stability in zebrafish. By analyzing neuronal activity, they identified two main features that correspond to specific types of movements, including eye rotation and body positioning.
SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 8, 2023
Researchers have identified a conserved brain region in vertebrates essential for initiating forward movement. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) stimulates reticulospinal neurons to control finer details of movement. Mapping this circuit could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2023
Tubificine worms can form entangled blobs that behave as a single organism to adapt to extreme environments and migrate more efficiently. Researchers successfully simulated collective movements of worm blobs in confined terrain, facilitating design of future swarm robotic systems.
SourceTohoku University·JournalFrontiers in Neurorobotics·DateSep 1, 2023
Sperm and northern bottlenose whales frequently feed on live halibut escaping from a deep-sea trawler net. The study found that these whales were only spotted when the catch was Greenland halibut, not redfish or thorny skate.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 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.
Researchers found that giant water striders break the water surface when their legs push downward during a jump. They then quickly move downward surrounded by air caught within and around long hairs on their legs, generating upward force due to drag.
SourceLaboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution at Seoul National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023
A new method scans moving horses to produce an enhanced saddle-map, highlighting ideal areas for saddle placement to reduce pain and injury. The research identifies the most mobile areas of a horse's back as the least suitable for distributing pressure.
The study combines real and robotic insects to understand how they sense forces in their limbs while walking. Campaniform sensilla (CS) are force receptors found in insect limbs that respond to stress and strain, providing critical information for controlling locomotion.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a krill-inspired robot called Pleobot, which emulates the swimming method of krill to navigate complex marine environments. The platform has the potential to enable scientists to understand how to engineer better robots for ocean navigation and exploration.
SourceBrown University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2023
A 225-million-year-old Brazilian fossil provides the oldest evidence of air sacs in dinosaurs, which enabled these creatures to grow into giants. The discovery sheds light on how these structures evolved over time, contradicting previous assumptions about their development.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe Anatomical Record·DateJun 20, 2023
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
The newly discovered Ambulator keanei is an ancient species of diprotodontid marsupial that roamed Australia's arid interior during the Pliocene era. It had unique plantigrade adaptations in its legs and feet, allowing it to efficiently traverse long distances in search of food and water.
SourceFlinders University·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 30, 2023
Washington State University researchers developed a robotic bee that can fly fully in all directions, including twisting motion. The Bee++ prototype achieves six degrees of free movement and is controlled by an artificial brain that acts like an insect's brain.
SourceWashington State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateMay 23, 2023
Coral reef fish larvae undergo significant physiological changes as they transition from open ocean swimming to settling on the reef floor. The study found that gene activity changes play a crucial role in adapting to hypoxic environments at night, allowing the fish to survive and thrive.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2023
Researchers developed a new theory of multilegged locomotion, creating robotic models that can move across uneven surfaces without sensors. The robot's leg redundancy enables it to transport itself and loads on challenging terrain, making it suitable for applications like agriculture, space exploration, and search and rescue.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023
Researchers found that environmental context influences drug dependence by associating psychostimulant effects with specific environments. The study observed behavioral sensitization and brain activation patterns in mice with cocaine dependence, mirroring human cravings for a specific environment or location.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBiomedicines·DateApr 26, 2023
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers have pinpointed a new neurological target, the mesencephalic locomotor region, to improve walking recovery in people with spinal cord injuries. Electrical stimulation of this area has shown promise in animal models, and a clinical trial is underway.
SourceUniversité Laval·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateApr 19, 2023
A new study suggests that large animals are disadvantaged due to their limited traveling speeds, which can be attributed to their inability to effectively dissipate excess heat generated by their muscles. This limitation leads to slower travel speeds compared to medium-sized animals.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 18, 2023
A new study published in Palaeontology sheds light on the swimming styles of Mesozoic marine reptiles, finding a gradual diversification of locomotory modes that peaked in the Cretaceous period. The research also explores the evolution of body size, with the widest spread occurring during this time.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPalaeontology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 18, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Researchers found that Luna moth tails are primarily used for bat evasion, but also make the insects conspicuous to birds and other predators. The study suggests that the tails' role in predation may have co-opted their function in attracting mates.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateApr 10, 2023
A team of researchers from South Africa has discovered exceptional trace fossils that provide insight into the locomotion of ancient giant amphibians. The fossils, found on a rock surface once part of a tidal flat or lagoon, suggest these animals propelled themselves through water with continuous side-to-side tail motions.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023
A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.
SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 28, 2023
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created soft robots that can transition from walking to swimming, crawling to rolling, or jumping. The robots use highly dynamic bistable soft actuators made of shape-memory alloy springs that react to electrical currents, allowing for varied locomotion and adaptability.
SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateMar 14, 2023
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have created a soft robot inspired by earthworms, able to crawl using soft actuators that elongate or squeeze. The prototype demonstrates improved locomotion with a speed of 1.35mm/s and has potential applications in underground exploration, excavation, search and rescue operations.
SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023
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.
Researchers at Flinders University discovered a previously unknown whale behavior, which may have been described in ancient Norse manuscripts. The
SourceFlinders University·JournalMarine Mammal Science·TypeCase study·DateFeb 28, 2023
Researchers found that nectar-feeding bats rely on extra-long whiskers to navigate flowers while feeding, providing enhanced spatial information. Clipping whiskers reduced agility but didn't impact feeding ability.
SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2023
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023
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.
Researchers studied cavefish metabolism to understand how humans might adapt over long periods of inactivity, finding genetic changes that enable muscle endurance and efficient energy storage. The study suggests potential implications for understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles on human health.
SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2023
Researchers discovered that baboons employ an efficient strategy to transition from quadrupedal to bipedal walking by 'crouching' their hindlimbs and 'sprinting' them forward under their torso. This process enables the animals to maintain a natural gait while standing upright, requiring minimal energy expenditure.
SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023