Category archives: Weekly Selection

MI weekly selection #260

MI weekly selection #260

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Right-sided blue whales roll left when feeding Blue whales, who normally exhibit a right-side bias, change to a left-side bias when feeding on small crustaceans. Researchers attached cameras, hydrophones and sensors to blue whales and noticed that they typically roll to the left during feeding, likely to allow their dominant right eye to more effectively […]

MI weekly selection #259

MI weekly selection #259

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Living stromatolites discovered in remote wetlands of Tasmania Microbial mats of living stromatolites, which first appeared on Earth at least 3.5 billion years ago but are very rare now, have been found in a remote wetland area of Tasmania. Researchers were surprised to find the stromatolites thriving in a freshwater environment since most stromatolite communities […]

MI weekly selection #258

MI weekly selection #258

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Detailed carving found on small gem in ancient Greek tomb A detailed scene of a warrior in battle carved on an ancient gemstone about 3.6 centimeters long was uncovered in Greece by researchers after they cleaned away dirt and limestone. The so-called Pylos Combat Agate was among 1,400 artifacts found in a tomb dating back […]

MI weekly selection #257

MI weekly selection #257

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Malaria-causing parasites drive mosquitoes to bite humans Mosquitoes infected with parasites that induce malaria tend to seek out humans more when the parasite is in the infectious stage, suggesting the parasite is controlling mosquitoes’ behavior. Researchers say that when Plasmodium falciparum is in the transmissible stage, it will drive mosquitoes to feed on human blood […]

MI weekly selection #256

MI weekly selection #256

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Ancient feathered dinosaur had raccoon-like facial markings The feathered dinosaur Sinosauropteryx, which lived in northeast China between 133 million and 120 million years ago, had bandit-like markings on its face like a raccoon, as well as a banded tail and counter-shading. Researchers say the unique colour patterns may have helped the small dinosaur blend into […]

MI weekly selection #255

MI weekly selection #255

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Saber-toothed cats were around longer than previously believed DNA analysis of a feline jawbone has revealed that a type of saber-toothed cat lived 28,000 years ago, around the same time as modern humans and much later than previously thought. The findings are helping researchers learn even more about Homotherium latidens, aka the scimitar cat, including […]

MI weekly selection #254

MI weekly selection #254

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Ancient Easter Islanders’ ancestry charted through DNA tests Ancient Easter Island inhabitants had no contact with outside people before Europeans came in the early 1700s. “They are 100% completely Polynesian ancestry as far as we can see,” said study author Pontus Skoglund. The New York Times Soft tissues, stomach contents found in well-preserved salamander fossil […]

MI weekly selection #253

MI weekly selection #253

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Varying levels of pesticides found in most honey samples collected worldwide Scientists have found varying levels of neonicotinoid pesticides in 75% of samples of honey from almost 200 areas around the world. Neonicotinoid pesticides are believed to cause such health issues in bees as impaired brain function and slowed colony growth. Nature New genus, species […]

MI weekly selection #252

MI weekly selection #252

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Self-folding exoskeletons can help robots adapt for different missions Origami-like heat-activated exoskeletons can help robots adapt for varied missions by giving them the ability to roll, glide, walk and sail. Live Science Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft collecting Venus climate data after rocky start After a difficult start, Japan has been collecting data about the harsh climate […]

MI weekly selection #251

MI weekly selection #251

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Specially engineered antibody blocks most HIV strains in monkeys A potent tri-specific antibody that targets nearly 100% of HIV strains and prevents infection in monkeys has been developed by National Institutes of Health scientists and pharmaceutical firm Sanofi. The antibody combo bolsters the immune system and blocks development of the virus. BBC Lager beer yeast […]