Why do giraffes have such long necks? A study led by Penn State biologists explores how this trait might have evolved and lends new insight into this iconic question. The reigning hypothesis is that competition among males influenced neck length, but the research team found that female giraffes have proportionally longer necks than males—suggesting that…
Waves are ubiquitous in nature and technology. Whether it’s the rise and fall of ocean tides or the swinging of a clock’s pendulum, the predictable rhythms of waves create a signal that is easy to track and distinguish from other types of signals. Waves are ubiquitous in nature and technology. Whether it’s the rise and fall…
Nothing like the common red, black, or brown ants, a stunning blue ant has been discovered in Yingku village in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. This new species belongs to the rare genus Paraparatrechina and has been named Paraparatrechina neela. The word “neela” signifies the color blue in most Indian languages—a fitting tribute to the ant’s…
The recent spike in food prices isn’t just bad news for your grocery bill. It also impacts the sugars used in biomanufacturing, which, by the way, isn’t quite as green as scientists and climate advocates expected. Surging prices and increasing urgency for genuinely sustainable manufacturing has pushed researchers to explore alternative feedstocks. The recent spike in…
Exposure to current levels of ground-level ozone (O3) in Europe is one of the main causes of premature mortality due to air pollution, especially in summer. Exposure to current levels of ground-level ozone (O3) in Europe is one of the main causes of premature mortality due to air pollution, especially in summer. Environment Phys.org – latest science and…
Last week, at a conference in Geneva, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization agreed on a new treaty aimed at preventing the for-profit piracy of traditional knowledge. Last week, at a conference in Geneva, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization agreed on a new treaty aimed at preventing the for-profit…
The 2023/24 El Niño event, which helped fuel a spike in global temperatures and extreme weather around the world, is now showing signs of ending. There is likely to be a swing back to La Niña conditions later this year, according to a new Update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The 2023/24 El Niño event,…
“On average, 90 percent of avocados are grown in the southwest Mexican state of Michoacán.” “On average, 90 percent of avocados are grown in the southwest Mexican state of Michoacán.” Environment All Articles | Discover Magazine
Menstruation is occurring earlier and earlier in life for younger generations in the Western world, but researchers are puzzled as to why Menstruation is occurring earlier and earlier in life for younger generations in the Western world, but researchers are puzzled as to why New Scientist – News
Assumptions that tropical forest canopies protect from the effects of climate change are unfounded, say researchers. Crucial strongholds for biodiversity are under threat as temperatures are rising in tropical forests, the world’s most diverse terrestrial ecosystems, a new study reveals. Assumptions that tropical forest canopies protect from the effects of climate change are unfounded, say researchers….