The most comprehensive survey conducted of elephant numbers in the Central African nation of Gabon since the late 1980s has found elephants occurring in higher numbers than previously thought. The study, which was conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Gabon’s National Park Agency (ANPN) and Vulcan using a new non-invasive survey technique, estimates that…

In less time than it takes to read this sentence, hummingbirds can catch a whiff of potential trouble. That’s the result of new research showing, contrary to popular belief, the tiny birds do have an active sense of smell. Researchers have known for some time that vultures have a highly sensitive sense of smell, with…

Researchers have developed a free, user-friendly tool that makes use of multiple computational models to help solid waste systems achieve their environmental goals in the most cost-efficient way possible. Waste management systems do more than simply put solid waste into landfills. These systems need to not only safely store or recycle solid waste, but also…

A new study provides substantial evidence that the first fossil feather ever to be discovered does belong to the iconic bird-like dinosaur, Archaeopteryx. This debunks a recent theory that the fossil feather originated from a different species. The research published in Scientific Reports finds that the Jurassic fossil matches a type of wing feather called…

Analysis of Paleolithic-era teeth from a 28,500-year-old fossil site in the Czech Republic provides supporting evidence for two groups of canids — one dog-like and the other wolf-like — with differing diets, which is consistent with the early domestication of dogs. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, was co-directed by Peter Ungar,…

Global trends in cave waters identify how stalagmites reveal past rainfall and drought patterns. In a study published recently in the journal Nature Communications, UNSW Sydney scientists led an international group of researchers to amass the data of 163 drip sites in 39 caves on five continents. They found that in climates that have a…

The 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano was one of the largest volcanic events in Hawaii in 200 years. This eruption was triggered by a relatively small and rapid change at the volcano after a decade-long build-up of pressure in the upper parts of the volcano, according to a recent study. Using USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory…

Scientists investigated the performance and profitability of two future generations of cows born to mothers exposed to heat stress during pregnancy. According to senior author Jimena Laporta, PhD, of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, previous research has found that heifers born to cows that are heat-stressed during…

A new analysis looks at how effective fishing closures are at reducing accidental catch. Researchers found that permanent marine protected areas are a relatively inefficient way to protect marine biodiversity that is accidentally caught in fisheries. Dynamic ocean management — changing the pattern of closures as accidental catch hotspots shift — is much more effective.…

Research suggests that the contamination of Isle of Man seabed sediments with zinc, lead and copper from the mining of these metals, which peaked on the island in the late 19th century, is causing the shells of king scallops to become significantly more brittle. The research, led by an interdisciplinary team at the University of…