chiefeditor

TV crews capture first evidence of leopard seals sharing food

by

Despite being considered a charismatic and enigmatic Antarctic predator, leopard seals are normally thought of as being solitary. They are largely intolerant of each other but can be forced to hunt alongside one another when congregating in areas of abundant prey. A new study analysing the previously unseen footage, captured by a team from production … Read more

Quantum entanglement in chemical reactions? Now there’s a way to find out

by

Purdue University researchers have demonstrated a new way to measure the phenomenon of entanglement in chemical reactions – the ability of quantum particles to maintain a special correlation with each other over a large distance. Uncovering exactly how chemical reactions work could bring ways to mimic or recreate them in new technologies, such as for … Read more

Technique uses magnets, light to control and reconfigure soft robots

by

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Elon University have developed a technique that allows them to remotely control the movement of soft robots, lock them into position for as long as needed and later reconfigure the robots into new shapes. The technique relies on light and magnetic fields. “We’re particularly excited about the reconfigurability,” … Read more

Frailty is a medical condition, not an inevitable result of aging

by

Frailty is not simply an adjective associated with old age, it is a medical condition all on its own. And it has significant medical, social and economic implications. A landmark study published today (August 2) in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, led by researchers at Monash University in Australia, explored the … Read more

Surgery simulators are key to assessment of trainees

by

Machine learning-guided virtual reality simulators can help neurosurgeons develop the skills they need before they step in the operating room, according to a new study. Research from the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital) and McGill University shows that machine learning algorithms can accurately assess the capabilities of … Read more

To learn how poison frogs are adapting to warmer temperatures, scientists got crafty

by

There’s a species of poison frog called the “strawberry frog” or the “blue jeans frog,” depending on who you ask. These frogs are smaller than a quarter, with bright red bodies and navy blue limbs, and they live in shady Costa Rican forests. Or, they did, until humans began cutting the forests to create farmland. … Read more

Newly discovered Labrador fossils give clues about ancient climate

by

The discovery of fossilized plants in Labrador, Canada, by a team of McGill directed paleontologists provides the first quantitative estimate of the area’s climate during the Cretaceous period, a time when the earth was dominated by dinosaurs. The specimens were found in the Redmond no.1 mine, in a remote area of Labrador near Schefferville, in … Read more

When plant roots learned to follow gravity

by

One of the most important events in evolutionary history occurred around 500 million years ago with the spread of plant life from water to land. For plants to thrive in this new environment, root systems had to evolve to grow downwards, following gravity with two primary purposes: anchoring in the soil and providing a source … Read more

How Hot Was the Ocean?

by

In swimming season, the weather forecast often includes the next day’s wave height and water temperature, and someone is always disappointed – either the surfers hoping for big waves or the swimmers who prefer small waves and warmer water. Geoscientists who have been debating for the past half century about the conditions prevailing in Earth’s … Read more