Penguins’ Explicit Sex Acts Shocked Captain Scott, the Polar Explorer
Hidden for nearly 100 years for being too “graphic,” a report of “hooligan” behaviors, including sexual coercion, by Adelie penguins observed during Captain Scott’s 1910 polar expedition have been uncovered and [...]
Caecilians: The other amphibian
By Roberta Kwok / May 16, 2012
Caecilians may look like snakes or worms, but they are neither. They’re amphibians, which means the curious creatures’ closest relatives are frogs and salamanders. Credit: john@measey.com
John Measey flew [...]
Take my enemy, please
Relocated kangaroo rats can thrive when territorial rivals move with them
Stephens’ kangaroo rats relocated to this new habitat were more likely to survive and have more pups when moved with their dear familiar enemies.Ken Bohn, San [...]
Food makes male flies frisky
Courtship in a classic lab insect is driven by fruity smells
It’s the smell of food that gets male fruit flies in the romantic mood, says a new study exploring the sexual habits of Drosophila melanogaster.
When trying to woo an attractive [...]
News in Brief: Life
Birds’ share of dinosaur extinction, the ‘battle’ between cattle and wildlife and more in this week’s news
An extinction to crow about
Ancient birds took a heavy hit in the global catastrophe that wiped out the dinosaurs, [...]
5 Reasons Parasites are Beneficial to the Earth
Parasites get a bad rap. By definition, parasites form a relationship that’s characterized by exploitation and dependence. They take advantage of their often-unwitting hosts’ hospitality, often leaving them sick and malnourished [...]
‘GPS brain cells’ seen in pigeons
Magnetic field lines indicate not only which way is north, but also give a general idea of latitude
Researchers have spotted a group of 53 cells within pigeons’ brains that respond to the direction and strength of the Earth’s magnetic [...]
Study Sheds Light on How Birds Navigate by Magnetic Field
Birds are famously good navigators. Some migrate thousands of miles, flying day and night, even when the stars are obscured. And for decades, scientists have known that one navigational skill they employ is an ability to detect variations in [...]
DEET confuses mosquitoes
The insect repellant DEET keeps mosquitoes away by altering scent information picked up by the biting bugs. Credit: CDC.gov
DEET is an insect repellant that fights biting backyard bugs like ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes. A DEET-treated arm [...]
Salamander Study Enlists New York City Seventh Graders
Students from Mark Twain I.S. 239 studied salamanders on Staten Island this week.
“Be careful!” shouted a seventh grader from Coney Island’s Mark Twain Intermediate School 239 for the Gifted and Talented.
“Don’t grab him by the [...]
