Lithobates sylvaticus found in southern Quebec. Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY 3.0 Although there is a large body of research on pests evolving tolerances for the pesticides meant to destroy them, there have been considerably fewer studies on how non-target animals in these ecosystems may do the same. In research recently published, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Rick Relyea, … Read more
Voila: 120 milligrams of genuine Bennu sample. Greg Brennecka looks in awe as the Bennu sample is removed from the stainless steel container that held it. Credit: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory In a discreet vacuumed-packed container inside a FedEx box lies a piece of ancient history; extremely ancient history. The material, at just 120 milligrams, … Read more
PIXL, the white instrument at top left, is one of several science tools located on the end of the robotic arm aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover. The Mars rover’s left navcam took the images that make up this composite on March 2, 2021. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Some scientists dream of exploring planets with “smart” spacecraft that know … Read more
Intensive poultry farming in the UK. Credit: Stephen Hinchliffe Industrialized farming is often thought to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans) because of better control, biosecurity and separation of livestock. A study, led by the University of Exeter, examines the effect of social and economic factors—which are often overlooked … Read more
Image of the skeleton of Xenopos laevis using the platform Sketchfab to create an interactive 3D model from X-ray microtomography imaging. Credit: GigaScience (2024). DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giae037 A 3D anatomical atlas of the model organism Xenopus laevis (the African clawed frog) is now available to aid researchers in understanding embryonic development and metamorphosis—the intriguing process by … Read more
A smartphone records the Raman spectrum of an unknown material (an ethanol solution, in this case) for further analysis. Credit: Texas A&M University Engineering Imagine knowing what berry or mushroom is safe to eat during a hike or swiftly detecting pathogens in a hospital setting that would traditionally require days to identify. Identification and detection … Read more
The AI-NERD model learns to produce a unique fingerprint for each sample of XPCS data. Mapping fingerprints from a large experimental dataset enables the identification of trends and repeating patterns which aids our understanding of how materials evolve. Credit: Argonne National Laboratory Like people, materials evolve over time. They also behave differently when they are … Read more
Case study. Credit: Water Resources Management (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11269-024-03865-1 Based on a mathematical programming model, a study finds that the proportional allocation of water, and not additional taxes on the resource, is more effective from the point of view of those engaged in agriculture. Climate change, increasing drought, population growth and consumption habits have spotlighted … Read more
This image used in a UC Davis and CUNY study are screenshots of eBay and Etsy listing featuring specimens of Kerivoula picta, or painted wooly bat, for sale. Scientists found specimens commonly mounted in (b) frames and (c) jars, and on (d) necklaces, (e) hair combs and (f) garters. Credit: European Journal of Wildlife Research … Read more
Influence of second-hand apparel exports on the location of synthetic apparel plastic leakage from EU28 high and low income countries, U.S., and Japan. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49441-4 A study has found that waste from the global apparel industry is leaking millions of tons of plastic into the environment each year—an overlooked pollution source … Read more
