MI weekly selection #580
Immigrating birds adapt quickly through social learning
Great tits demonstrate social learning by adopting new behaviors from resident birds when they immigrate to a new environment. Researchers used puzzle boxes to show that 80% of immigrant birds quickly adopted the resident birds’ methods for obtaining food, underscoring the importance of social learning in animal behaviour.
Full Story: Popular Science
Ancient volcanic activity confirmed on moon’s far side
New research has confirmed that volcanoes on the far side of the moon were active billions of years ago, similar to those on the near side. Analysis of lunar soil samples from China’s Chang’e-6 mission revealed volcanic rock fragments, some as old as 4.2 billion years, confirming the volcanic activity on the moon’s far side.
Full Story: The Associated Press
Study finds continuous mode of lightning development
Continuous initial breakdown bursts have been identified as a new phenomenon in lightning development, according to a study that observed the bursts at high altitudes. This research combines electromagnetic pulse measurements with high-resolution imaging to offer a deeper understanding of the conditions that facilitate long negative streamer systems within thunderclouds, advancing knowledge of atmospheric electricity.
Full Story: Eos
12,000-year-old pebbles may have paved way for wheels
Archaeologists in Israel have discovered 12,000-year-old pebbles that may represent one of the earliest uses of wheel-like technology. The pebbles are believed to be spindle whorls used for spinning textiles, and they could have paved the way for later technological advancements involving rotational mechanisms.
Full Story: Live Science
Cause of chiral charge in TiSe2 material
Physicists have pinpointed the cause of the chiral charge density wave in the material TiSe2. The team discovered that lattice distortions and charge density waves create unique symmetries, resulting in chirality, a finding that bridges the gap between TiSe2‘s electronic properties and its crystal structure.
Full Story: PhysOrg