Science & Technology News

And the porpoise killer is --- !

And the porpoise killer is --- !

Posted Wed, 26 Nov 2014 07:30:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Long suspected of murder, the grey seal is exposed as a regular killer of the smallest whale, the porpoise. They have recently started seeking the blubber from the porpoise, possibly after large numbers of drowned porpoise were made available after their dumping from fishermen’s bycatch.

And the porpoise killer is --- !

Turtle! Turn and migrate to the SE Pacific!

Turtle! Turn and migrate to the SE Pacific!

Posted Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:21:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

We worry and then worry again about our turtles, so any good news is welcome, even if one area of success is unlikely to help all the other species. The Olive Ridley turtle was found once in this study reminding us of all the life trials that these unlucky reptiles have to endure.

Turtle! Turn and migrate to the SE Pacific!

The ultimate rainforest tree thrived in Sundaland.

The ultimate rainforest tree thrived in Sundaland.

Posted Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:54:46 GMT by Dave Armstrong

From Thailand to the southeast of China and then throughout the Sunda shelf much of which is now underwater, the rainforest was supreme. It was delineated by the presence of many species of dipterocarp, entwined with rattans and delicious fruiting trees, all set off with the huge biodiversity of tigers and elephant, Orang-utan and civets. It still remains, but it desperately cries out for conservation – all of that which is left!

The ultimate rainforest tree thrived in Sundaland.

Cats, as we know them.

Cats, as we know them.

Posted Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:05:01 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The attraction of cats is a puzzle for some and taken for granted by others. In fact, like dogs, they are highly genetically-adapted to be irresistible, otherwise humans would have discarded them both eons ago. Have fun with this great research to ease our guilt at having non-primate commensals. (No, get off the table, you mut!)

Cats, as we know them.

Forest loss in NZ reveals fire prevention ploys.

Forest loss in NZ reveals fire prevention ploys.

Posted Sat, 08 Nov 2014 14:46:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The potential for fires to destroy rural and even urban environments has increased. Could the early loss of podocarp forest from Maori fires help to tell us how to combat the vast problems we have nowadays in preventing loss of homes, and harvests, lives and livelihoods?

Forest loss in NZ reveals fire prevention ploys.

Birds run carefully in the rough.

Birds run carefully in the rough.

Posted Sun, 02 Nov 2014 19:19:00 GMT by JW Dowey

The ostrich and the quail were used here to check out how a bipedal animal (like ourselves) can be run in an optimised way over rough ground. Of course, the birds and the average human may not be interested in their own evolution of gaits, but engineers have strange deluded ideas of fantastical robots that can operate in theatres we can only dream of.

Birds run carefully in the rough.

 Our ancient ancestors couldn't digest milk

Our ancient ancestors couldn't digest milk

Posted Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:48:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The modern Eurasian ancestors roamed across Siberia according to a new study, but another paper revealed DNA-enhancing technology using part of prehistoric skulls. We now know roughly when our genes adapted to farming, less sunlight and many other technological advances we made in the past.

Our ancient ancestors couldn't digest milk

Copulation was invented by ancient fish

Copulation was invented by ancient fish

Posted Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:20:43 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The drive to produce offspring has always been as dominant as the enjoyment of food. Australian scientists have now used Scottish fossils to deduce that Estonian fish evolved a jolly dance that has resulted in much more “fun” in their ancestors!

Copulation was invented by ancient fish

Stilt break records for migration and finding water.

Stilt break records for migration and finding water.

Posted Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:05:00 GMT by Paul Robinson

The wonder of bird migration takes a long while to sink in. Perhaps it’s the payload, but tiny birds still seem able to amaze us with their ability to fly thousands of kilometres (or even miles.) This is a unique Australian endemic bird that seems able to detect water a great distances, possibly by smell of desert, air, their brine shrimp food or other olfaction.

Stilt break records for migration and finding water.

Geckos crossed the line and got bigger

Geckos crossed the line and got bigger

Posted Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:00:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

To find evidence of how speciation can happen when there is an obvious bio-geographical boundary should be simple. This represents a first, however, for a group colonising New Guinea and evolving a greater size in several instances. The ancestry of these New Guinea geckos, large and small, has been well-traced.

Geckos crossed the line and got bigger

As much oxygen as you need

As much oxygen as you need

Posted Fri, 03 Oct 2014 17:09:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Despite the disappointment of not absorbing any carbon dioxide, this fantastic discovery of an organic crystal in Odense could transform lives of both divers and hospital patients, not forgetting the many other applications we’re sure will arise when this neat oxygen producer is in production.

As much oxygen as you need

 Springtails and harvestmen, a new predator/prey story

Springtails and harvestmen, a new predator/prey story

Posted Thu, 02 Oct 2014 08:47:00 GMT by JW Dowey

Fascinating stuff from Kiel, as familiar creatures are found to have incredible abilities. Imagine what these rare new species could show us if they avoid extinction.

Springtails and harvestmen, a new predator/prey story

Birds and passion, Ecuador rules in biodiversity

Birds and passion, Ecuador rules in biodiversity

Posted Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:15:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The evolutionary relationships between organisms are endless, while some stand out as truly incredible. For 10 million years, mountains have moved and bills have been “paid” as pollination was accomplished by bat, bee and bird

Birds and passion, Ecuador rules in biodiversity

Vainglorious peacock or successful breeder?

Vainglorious peacock or successful breeder?

Posted Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:20:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

How do males pay for their dedication to antlers, plumage or dance? In this case the effort to escape a predator is not affected by the peacock’s extravagant tail, or train. Pity the experiment involved removing it- they must have been lost without it.

Vainglorious peacock or successful breeder?

'Spiny' is the Super-Sized Predatory Dino

'Spiny' is the Super-Sized Predatory Dino

Posted Sat, 13 Sep 2014 13:28:28 GMT by JW Dowey

The essence of predation is success at hunting. This semi-aquatic monster could probably have killed off any creature it met on land or in the water. It is simply the biggest and the best at its job. And that was a niche for eating big prey!

'Spiny' is the Super-Sized Predatory Dino

Ice melt increases at both Poles

Ice melt increases at both Poles

Posted Sat, 06 Sep 2014 09:22:16 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Serious results follow loss of our glaciers and ice sheets. The need for vigilant and expert reporting is made clear with the latest results from satellite instruments. Both Poles are losing ice rapidly, with Greenland having 75% of the total loss.

Ice melt increases at both Poles

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Butterflies just love ants ---.

Posted Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:31:00 GMT by JW, Dowey

First known manta ray nursery in Florida and new species news!

Posted Wed, 20 Jun 2018 08:35:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Models and mimics are marvels in SE Asia

Posted Wed, 02 May 2018 07:50:00 GMT by JW. Dowey

Otters and their social learning abilities.

Posted Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:45:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Our vertebrate relatives have evolved plenty of Jaw

Posted Mon, 31 Jul 2017 08:59:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Salamander polyploid amazes with its genome (s)

Posted Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:56:47 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The Tempo of Evolution is revealed on Hawaii

Posted Mon, 20 Mar 2017 09:59:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Blue whales' calls give ID of new populations

Posted Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:36:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Crow wing shape and its association with species distribution.

Posted Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:10:00 GMT by JW Dowey

The Force is with the Claw of Land Crabs

Posted Thu, 24 Nov 2016 14:20:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong