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Study confirms that Gabon is the largest stronghold for critically endangered African forest elephants
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…
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Researchers reconstruct ancient fish lizard
Scientists have mapped 300 years of research on the prehistoric marine reptiles known as ichthyosaurs. Using a uniquely well-preserved fossil, the team has also created the scientifically most up-to-date reconstruction of an ichthyosaur currently available. Fish lizards, or ichthyosaurs, were a very successful group of animals that, much like today’s whales, migrated from land to…
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Hummingbirds can smell their way out of danger
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…
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New modeling tools to help solid-waste systems reach environmental goals
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…
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Dinosaur feather study debunked
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…
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Dog domestication during ice age
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,…
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Gene hunting: The power of precision medicine
Humans and animals are made up of trillions of cells, and each cell contains DNA specific to that individual. Therefore, identifying DNA that causes genetic disorders gives researchers and clinicians a better understanding of how to treat inherited diseases and possibly prevent the diseases from being passed down to future generations. Now, researchers at the…
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Cave secrets unlocked to show past drought and rainfall patterns
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…
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Newly discovered DNA repair mechanisms point to potential therapy targets for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
Faulty DNA damage repair can lead to many types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other serious disorders. Investigators have developed high-throughput microscopy and machine learning systems that can identify and classify DNA repair factors. The investigators have identified nine previously unknown factors involved in the process of cellular DNA repair. The DNA that lies tightly…
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Cascading events led to 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption, providing clues for forecasting
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…