One of the most influential texts of the 19th century, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" is widely regarded as one of the first true science fiction novels. The book's Gothic author, Mary Shelley, was keen to the cutting edge science of her time, inspired in part by misinterpretation of galvanism, which is electricity produced by…
In recent years, researchers have made measurable progress, using animal models, to promote tissue regeneration in spinal cord injuries (SCI) through implanted neural stem cells or grafts. Other efforts have shown that intensive physical rehabilitation can improve function after SCI by promoting greater or new roles for undamaged or spared cells and neural circuits. In…
Australia holds an unenviable conservation status: it's the fourth-worst country in the world for species extinctions and is in the top three for critically endangered animals. This week's Federal Budget included a $224 million allocation to help save threatened species - news that coincides with some concerning findings of a new paper authored by University…
New research led by Queen Mary University of London shows that rolling of wooden balls by buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) fulfils behavioral criteria for animal play and is akin to play in other animals. Ball-rolling action by a buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). Image credit: Dona et al., doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.08.013. Play is not limited to humans,…
Scientists researching forest carnivores such as martens, foxes and coyotes spend hours clambering through rugged terrain, sometimes in deep snow, placing and baiting camera traps to learn about animals' behavior in relation to their habitat. In recent years, this on-the-ground work has received a big boost from what might seem to be an unlikely source:…
It’s always a good idea to take a moment and reflect on some of nature’s strangest creatures. There are plenty out there, from small and furry, like the alpaca, to large and fearsome, like the great white shark. The world is full of uncanny animals and plants that don’t get much attention because they’re too far off our radar or in places we can’t access easily.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to avoid contact with a mountain lion that’s been detected in the state capital using technology that tracked the rare animal to Springfield’s west side.The DNR said the big cat, which was fitted last year with a GPS collar by the…
Science|It Takes a Lot of Elephant Brains to Solve This Mysteryhttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/26/science/elephant-brains-trunks-faces.htmlTrilobitesBy counting the facial neurons in African savanna and Asian elephants, researchers made a discovery about the animals’ trunks.Send any friend a storyAs a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.Scientists set out to understand how…
These are the silly finalists in the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards. Published October 26, 2022 09:00AM EDT A winking spotted owl peeks out from inside a pipe and a winking fox sits in the woods. Grinning fish swim up close in bright blue water. A squirrel vaults in the air during a rainstorm. One of…
Dog Daze, a new book by Christopher Mark Slattery, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. Dog Daze is a story about redemption. When Wesley Wade Williams slips into a coma following an attack by his dog Fang, he is raptured to the mysterious Land of Canine, alluded to as Sirius the Dog Star,…
