A 'golden age' of rat research may be here. What the often unwanted companions can teach us about us.

From NPR: "Rats are one of the most prolific mammals on the planet. Their close, often-fraught relationship with humans have allowed them to spread to pantries, sewers and garbage piles around the world. Domesticated brown rats are a commonly used mammal in laboratories making advancements in medicine and health."

https://flip.it/twyBBl

#Animals #Rats #Science

Scientists in South Africa say they have identified the first known outbreak of rabies in seals.

AP reports: "At least 24 Cape fur seals that were found dead or euthanized in various locations on South Africa’s west and south coast had rabies."

https://flip.it/tSfAQH

#Animals #Seal #Rabies #Disease #Science

New evidence points to Wuhan market as source of COVID-19 outbreak.

From New Scientist: "A new study by an international team concludes it is more likely that the virus emerged from wild animals sold at the market and not from a lab escape. The researchers re-analysed data from 800 samples collected at the Huanan market by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention beginning on 1 January 2020, and also studied viral genomes from the earliest COVID-19 cases."

https://flip.it/gkExJQ

#COVID #COVID19 #Wuhan #China #Epidemiology #PublicHealth #Science

A "Shazam for whales" uses AI to track sounds heard in the Mariana Trench.

@[email protected] reports: "An artificial intelligence model that can identify the calls of eight whale species is helping researchers track the elusive whale behind a perplexing sound in the Pacific."

https://flip.it/.RrrOQ

#Whales #Animals #Ocean #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Pacific #Science

The U.S. has led on nuclear fusion research for decades. Now China is in position to win the race, CNN reports.

"Many countries have achieved fusion reactions, but sustaining them for long enough to use in the real world remains elusive."

https://flip.it/wOWlVs

#Fusion #Energy #ClimateChange #China #Nuclear #Science

An incredible organism is evolving at lightning speed — faster than we ever imagined possible.

Popular Mechanics explores research on Daphnia pulex, known more commonly as the water flea.

Subscription may be required: https://flip.it/zIDu6k

#Life #Evolution #Animals #Biology #Science

What a cool image! "Ryan Imperio has been named the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year for a photograph that captures the progression of Baily’s beads during the 2023 annular eclipse."

From the BBC: "Baily’s beads are formed when sunlight shines through the valleys and craters of the Moon’s surface, and are only briefly visible when an eclipse is beginning or ending."

https://flip.it/2t.WMT

#Space #Photography #Astronomy #Eclipse

Scientists who discovered mammals can breathe through their anuses receive Ig Nobel prize.

CNN reports: "The awards – which have no affiliation to the Nobel Prizes – aim to 'celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative – and spur people’s interest in science, medicine, and technology' by making 'people laugh, then think.'"

https://flip.it/XPIEAz

#IGNobel #Science #Animals #Humor

Few things mesmerize like photos of space. And this year’s batch of winners from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition certainly don’t disappoint. Ryan Imperio was named the overall winner for his stunning image that captured the progression of Baily’s beads. See all 11 winners at CNN: https://flip.it/m_9NXQ
#Science #Space #Astronomy #Photography #OuterSpace #Sky

The Florida grasshopper sparrow was near extinction only a few years ago. Now, there’s rekindled optimism for North America’s most endangered bird after the release of the 1,000th captive-raised sparrow into the wild. Read more from @InsideClimate: https://flip.it/gD152f
#Science #EndangeredSpecies #Animals #Birds #Birdsofmastodon

Which pets are smarter — cats or dogs? In the ultimate pet showdown, @sciencefocus sized up the cerebral powers of our favorite furry friends in the categories of social intelligence, counting, and self-awareness. Read more for the final verdict: https://flip.it/PUoWMg
#Science #Dogs #Cats #Pets #Intelligence #Animals

Many dogs like to play fetch. But what about cats? 🐕 🐈

From @[email protected]: "Despite their very different hunting and play styles, fetching appears to combine elements of predatory and social behavior for both species."

https://flip.it/6yguem

#Cats #Dogs #Animals #CatsOfMastodon #Science