Female tree frogs found to use their lungs for noise cancellation

A number of hearing aids are now able to amplify one person's voice while filtering out distracting background voices. Well, it turns out that female tree frogs are able to perform a similar task, in order to hear the mating calls of males.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingFemale tree frogs found to use their lungs for noise cancellation

Bat “backpacks” provide new insights into hunting strategies

We all know that bats locate prey in the dark using echolocation, but … is that really all there is to it? Scientists decided to get more details on the animals' hunting process, by equipping them with tiny wearable computers.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingBat “backpacks” provide new insights into hunting strategies

50,000-year-old poop reveals Neanderthals’ gut microbiomes

Scientists have studied 50,000-year-old Neanderthal poop, and analyzed the DNA of microbes to determine their gut microbiome. Many species are still present in modern humans, revealing the "old friend" bacteria that may be most crucial to our health.

Source of Article

Continue Reading50,000-year-old poop reveals Neanderthals’ gut microbiomes

Aquatic dinosaur may have been a shoreline stalker, not a fish-chaser

Just last year, scientists declared that Spinosaurus was the first dinosaur known to swim through the water, preying upon fish as it did so. A new study, however, suggests that it was probably more of a shore-based feeder.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingAquatic dinosaur may have been a shoreline stalker, not a fish-chaser

Not-so-solitary electric eels observed hunting in packs

It has generally been thought that electric eels are purely solitary animals, which stalk prey on their own. Now, however, scientists have described seeing the creatures hunting in packs – which only nine other fish species are known to do.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNot-so-solitary electric eels observed hunting in packs

“Amazing” new species of flower discovered in 100-million-year-old amber

The latest amber time capsule discovery comes from Oregon State University researchers who have identified a completely new, previously unknown genus and species of flower dating back 100 million years to the mid-Cretaceous period.

Source of Article

Continue Reading“Amazing” new species of flower discovered in 100-million-year-old amber

Common blood pressure drug found to have lifespan-extending potential

Metolazone, an anti-hypertension drug, has been found to kickstart a lifespan-extending cellular repair process in roundworms. The mechanism may be translatable to humans, offering new research pathways in the search for an anti-aging drug.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingCommon blood pressure drug found to have lifespan-extending potential

Suckerfish seen “surfing” blue whales in world-first underwater footage

A new study has delved into underwater behavior of remora, producing the first-ever continuous recordings of these so-called suckerfish in action and showing how they surf, feed and even socialize on the surface of blue whales.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSuckerfish seen “surfing” blue whales in world-first underwater footage

Protein injections into testes could treat male infertility

Researchers have developed a way to treat male infertility by delivering nanoparticles loaded with proteins directly into the testes. In tests in mice, previously infertile animals were soon able to father pups at a similar rate as unaffected mice.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingProtein injections into testes could treat male infertility

New tardigrade species fends off killer light with a fluorescent shield

The tardigrade is one of nature’s toughest creatures. Now scientists have discovered a new species that adds to an already impressive array of survival tools by employing a type of fluorescent shield to protect itself against lethal UV radiation.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNew tardigrade species fends off killer light with a fluorescent shield