ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

The Neural Cruelty of Captivity: Keeping Large Mammals in Zoos and Aquariums Damages Their Brains

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE 09.29.2020 12:40 PM

It is easy to observe the overall health and psychological consequences of life in captivity for these animals. Many captive elephants suffer from arthritis, obesity, or skin problems. Both elephants and orcas often have severe dental problems. Captive orcas are plagued by pneumonia, kidney disease, gastrointestinal illnesses, and infections.

Researchers Date the Historic Ilopango Eruption That Destroyed Part of the Maya Civilization

09.29.2020 09:38 AM

An international research team has established the precise date of a major volcanic eruption that laid waste to the Maya civilization some 1590 years ago.

Common Insecticide Imidacloprid Harms Beneficial Insects

09.29.2020 09:00 AM

How the insecticide imidacloprid affects the common fruit fly brings concern over beneficial insects such as honeybees. Low doses of the insecticide have a significant impact on the fly's neurological functions.

A New Study Traces Development of Gill Covers in Fishes

09.29.2020 08:40 AM

Researchers have reportedly identified a genome change that led to the evolution of gill covers more than 430 million years ago.

UV Pigment on Flowers Changed Over Time Due to Climate Change

Flowers Adapt to Climate Change by Changing in Color

09.29.2020 08:20 AM

Flowers have UV pigment that is not visible to the human eye but attracts pollinators and serves as their natural sunscreen.

Unique Enzyme Combination May Help Reduce Global Plastic Waste

Unique Enzyme Combination Could Reduce Global Plastic Waste

09.29.2020 08:00 AM

Plastic-consuming organisms have been discovered years ago, yet aren't enough to efficiently rid of global plastic pollution. In a recent study, scientists combined two plastic-consuming enzymes that eat plastic up to three times faster than their natural counterparts.

Researchers Turn to AI to Protect Orchids and Other Threatened Species

09.29.2020 07:50 AM

Researchers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) in speeding up conservation efforts for orchids and other species, automating the assessment process.

Are Cows Dangerous? England Authorites Report Two Cattle Attack Deaths This Month

09.28.2020 09:10 AM

Death by cow attack may be more common in the UK than people anticipated. Here are some tips on what to do when cows become aggressive or how to avoid an attack altogether.

Vivid Color of Tarantulas Are Associated With Perceiving One Another & Survival

09.28.2020 08:40 AM

Why are some tarantula species bright blue or green? Scientists have determined that tarantulas can perceive each others' blue colors while green is a type of camouflage.

Developing Coronavirus Vaccines Are Harming Shark Species

09.28.2020 08:30 AM

As vaccines candidates are being developed to cure coronavirus, some developers use squalene - an ingredient found in shark liver oil. Wildlife experts fear that millions of sharks may be killed if vaccine developers don't look for alternative sources.