Environment

Scientists have used data from weather radar not to track storms, but to count birds as they travel across Australian skies. For the first time, scientists have used data from weather radar not to track storms, but to count birds as they travel across Australian skies. The study, led by University of Queensland PhD candidate

Like people, birds have fewer friends as they age, but the reasons why are unclear. New research suggests they may just have no drive to. Like people, birds have fewer friends as they age, but the reasons why are unclear. New research suggests they may just have no drive to. In humans, it's often been

A new study shows the remarkable adaptability of the critically endangered Cat Ba langurs. Despite low genetic diversity, the langurs have retained key genetic traits that help them survive in their isolated environment on Cat Ba Island in Vietnam. One of these remarkable adaptations is the ability to drink salt water. A study by the

Using new technology, researchers have been able to confirm the location of the world's oldest ochre mine and trace how ochre from the mine was dispersed to nearby communities. University of Missouri scientist Brandi L. MacDonald is using modern technology only found at Mizzou to help researchers expand the collective understanding of how human thought

Once abundant, the massive, colorful clam is now locally extinct in many regions, with a critical drop in population due to overfishing and climate change. The giant clam, known for its colorful cape-like mantle, wavy shell and astonishing size, is in danger of going extinct after its population plunged by more than 80% over the

What is the 'most Canadian' animal? Spoiler: it's not the beaver, or the moose. A new study ranks species of terrestrial vertebrates in Canada by their level of Canadian evolutionary distinctness: the amount of time animals have evolved independently from other Canadian species. The study found that, overall, amphibians and reptiles are Canada's most evolutionarily

Researchers reveal new insights into the complex evolutionary history behind the distinctive upright posture of modern placental and marsupial mammals, showing the transition was surprisingly complex and nonlinear, and occurred much later than previously believed. Mammals, including humans, stand out with their distinctively upright posture, a key trait that fueled their spectacular evolutionary success. Yet

Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee. Research shows the fish are likely avoiding contaminants from the Chicago Area Waterway, which flows south before

Subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface allow more carbon dioxide (CO2) to be absorbed, new research shows. Subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface allow more carbon dioxide (CO₂) to be absorbed, new research shows. Scientists have thought that the ocean skin -- a 0.01 mm sliver of surface water, thinner than a human

Male birds help their parents less than females because they're too busy scouting for new places to live and breed, a study shows. Male birds help their parents less than females because they're too busy scouting for new places to live and breed, a remarkable new study shows. The study, led by researchers at the

Protecting and enhancing salt marshes in front of protective seawalls can significantly help protect some coastlines, at a cost that makes this approach reasonable to implement. Images of coastal houses being carried off into the sea due to eroding coastlines and powerful storm surges are becoming more commonplace as climate change brings a rising sea

A type of prototype water harvester promises to be simpler and more efficient than traditional variations of the device at pulling drinking water from the air. A new type of prototype water harvester promises to be simpler and more efficient than traditional variations of the device at pulling drinking water from the air, a new