Researchers develop near-chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee
Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university research partners have developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee, a specialist pollinator of conservation concern, according to a recent paper published in the Journal of Heredity. ⌘ Read more

Long-awaited Chicago policy doesn’t do enough to protect migrating birds, advocates say
Annette Prince peered between glossy downtown buildings: “There’s a bird in that grate.” ⌘ Read more

Why do male chicks play more than females? Study finds answers in distant ancestor
Play is widespread, but far from ubiquitous, across the animal kingdom. Especially common in mammals, play is also known to occur in taxa as diverse as birds, fish, octopuses, and even insects. But what is its function, given that natural selection never selects fun for its own sake? One prominent hypothesis is that play is beneficial to individuals because it allows them to practice skills needed later in life. ⌘ Read more

Precipitation may brighten Colorado River’s future, says modeling study
The Colorado River’s future may be a little brighter than expected, according to a new modeling study from CIRES researchers. Warming temperatures, which deplete water in the river, have raised doubts the Colorado River could recover from a multi-decade drought. The new study fully accounts for both rising temperatures and precipitation in the Colorado’s headwaters, and finds precipitation, not temperature, will likel … ⌘ Read more

Survey: Most workers feel that AI can’t replace soft skills
A new survey from Wiley suggests workers do not feel artificial intelligence (AI) will be replacing the art of communication in the workplace. ⌘ Read more

Horizontal running could help lunar astronauts retain physical conditioning
A small team of pathophysiologists and human locomotion specialists at the University of Milan has found that it should be possible for astronauts on the moon to prevent muscle and bone deterioration by running horizontally in a cylinder. In their study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group mimicked the effects of the moon’s gravity on volunteer runners inside of a borrowed “wall of death. … ⌘ Read more

Study says El Nino, not climate change, was key driver of low rainfall that snarled Panama Canal
The climate phenomenon known as El Niño—and not climate change—was a key driver in low rainfall that disrupted shipping at the Panama Canal last year, scientists said Wednesday. ⌘ Read more

New observatory in Chile—the highest in the world—aims to reveal origins of planets, galaxies and more
How do planets form? How do galaxies evolve? And ultimately, how did the universe itself begin? A unique astronomical observatory that researchers hope will unravel some of the biggest mysteries out there marks its opening on April 30, 2024. ⌘ Read more

Gum arabic from Africa’s acacia trees in the Sahel is used in hundreds of products: What’s worth knowing
The conflict in Sudan has turned attention to a rarely discussed commodity: gum arabic. This product, the dried sap of certain species of acacia trees, is used mainly as an additive in the soft drinks industry. Sudan accounts for about 70% of global gum arabic exports. Asgar Ali, an expert in sustainable food systems, answers questions about the commodity and its prospects. ⌘ Read more

JWST uses interferometry mode to reveal two protoplanets around a young star
The JWST is flexing its muscles with its interferometry mode. Researchers used it to study a well-known extrasolar system called PDS 70. The goal? To test the interferometry mode and see how it performs when observing a complex target. ⌘ Read more

Astronomers significantly impact the climate by traveling to conferences, say researchers
In 2019, global travel to international academic conferences in the field of astronomy caused the equivalent of 42,500 tons of climate-damaging CO2 emissions. This equates to an average of one ton of CO2 per participant and conference. The total distance covered adds up to a truly astronomical sum: one and a half times the distance between the Earth and the sun. ⌘ Read more

Many old books contain toxic chemicals—here’s how to spot them
In our modern society, we rarely consider books to be dangerous items. However, certain books contain elements so hazardous that they require scrutiny before being placed on the shelves of public libraries, bookstores or even private homes. ⌘ Read more

New research reveals terahertz waves’ impact on dynamics of nanoconfined water molecules
In a new discovery, researchers have revealed novel insights into the behavior of water molecules confined within nanostructures. Their study, published in Science Advances on April 24, delves into how terahertz (THz) waves influence the dynamics of water molecules confined in two-dimensional (2D) spaces within nanoresonators. ⌘ Read more

Behavioral therapy against aging: Researchers study the effect of therapies on older dogs
It is well known that getting plenty of exercise and mental training are important for a long and healthy life. But which is more effective? Do the tasks develop abilities that go beyond them? ⌘ Read more

Too many vehicles, slow reactions and reckless merging: New math model explains how traffic and bacteria move
What do the flow of cars on a highway and the movement of bacteria towards a food source have in common? In both cases, annoying traffic jams can form. Especially for cars, we might want to understand how to avoid them, but perhaps we’ve never thought of turning to statistical physics. ⌘ Read more

Maps developed with artificial intelligence confirm low levels of phosphorus in Amazonian soil
As the impacts of climate change increasingly affect the daily lives of residents in several countries, including Brazil, the resilience of forests, especially tropical ones such as the Amazon, has become a frequent topic of research. In addition to studying various factors that influence the way vegetation reacts to global warming, scientists are seeking to improve vegetation models—tools … ⌘ Read more

Satellite maps boost mangrove conservation in China
Mangroves are vital ecosystems along coastlines, providing essential services such as coastal protection, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon sequestration. Despite their critical importance, effective management of these areas is often hampered by the challenges of acquiring accurate, species-specific data. ⌘ Read more

More than 2 million gazelle still roam the Mongolian steppe
A study published in Oryx sheds light on the status of Mongolian gazelle populations across Mongolia, Russia, and China, revealing both successes and challenges in the conservation efforts of this iconic species ⌘ Read more

Australians are having fewer babies and the local-born population is about to shrink: Why it’s not that scary
Australians are having fewer babies, so many fewer that without international migration the population would be on track to decline in just over a decade. ⌘ Read more

African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change
From ancient fertilizer methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers across the heavily agriculture-reliant African continent are looking to the past and future to respond to climate change. ⌘ Read more

Here’s why we should put a gravitational wave observatory on the moon
Scientists detected the first long-predicted gravitational wave in 2015, and since then, researchers have been hungering for better detectors. But the Earth is warm and seismically noisy, and that will always limit the effectiveness of Earth-based detectors. ⌘ Read more

DNA study of Avar cemetery remains reveals network of large pedigrees and social practices
An international team of archaeologists and archaeogenetics specialists, working with the Hungarian National Museum, has discovered a network of Avar pedigrees and community social practices after conducting a DNA study of the remains of people who once lived in what is now a part of Hungary. ⌘ Read more