Animals

Animals

Fly more, live longer

An examination of animal lifestyles reveals that the most important factor linked to longer life is the ability to fly.

Environment

Fukushima contamination affects butterfly larvae

Butterfly larvae fed leaves with radioactive cesium from the Fukushima nuclear disaster had a higher rate of death and development abnormalities than larvae that got leaves from a location farther from the accident.

Animals

Anemone eats bird, and other surprising animal meals

A fuzzy green anemone eating a bird many times its size shows that you can’t take anything for granted when it comes to which animals can eat each other.

Paleontology

Giant 17-million-year-old fossil sperm found

Giant sperm have been found in 17-million-year-old fossilized mussel shrimp. The specimens, collected in Queensland, Australia, sport the oldest petrified sex cells on record.

Neuroscience

To pee or not to pee

Mice recognize others’ scents through proteins in urine, suggesting that mouse pheromones produce more complex behaviors than previously thought.

Animals

A tale of wolves, moose and missing ice

Wolves have persisted on Lake Superior’s Isle Royale for decades, keeping moose in check, but climate change may doom the balance between the two species.

Life

Pain may keep predators away, in squid anyway

Compared to healthy squid, injured ones start their defensive behaviors, including inking, when sea bass are farther away.

Animals

Birds have clever solution for a cuckoo conundrum

Superb fairy wrens teach their incubating babies a password, and they become better teachers when they hear cuckoos are around.

Genetics

Spider genomes give hints about venom, silk production

The genetic codes identify new proteins that may be involved in making and turning on toxins in venom and also those used to make spider silk.

Animals

Everyday electronics may upset birds’ compass

Weak electromagnetic waves, coming from normal university activities, interfere with European robins’ migratory orientation.

Life

New bird flu found in Antarctic penguins

Designated H11N2, the virus was found in less than 3 percent of the 301 Adélie penguins tested and the infection is asymptomatic.

Animals

Woodpecker beaks divulge shock-absorbing properties

Scales, sutures and porosity help the birds hammer without going stupid.