Category: Environment & Biology

The wagging tail of a dog is a wildly acknowledged symbol of joy and excitement in our four-legged friends. However, this behaviour is largely unexplained and misunderstood. A recent opinion piece by Leonetti et al sheds light on this enigmatic behaviour, inviting a deeper investigation into its mechanisms, evolution, and significance. Tail wagging is a…

Polar bears remain at risk of starvation despite behavioural and diet plasticity on land, according to a new study published in Nature Communications by Pagano et al. Due to climate change, sea ice in the Arctic has undergone a severe decline in coverage and thickness, impacting the Arctic marine ecosystem. The apex predator in the…

Our loyal companions, dogs, have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to recognise and respond to human and canine emotions, according to a study published in Biology Letters by Albuquerque et al. In the animal kingdom, the ability to discern emotional expressions is vital for understanding social intentions and motivations. Traditionally, this skill is observed within species.…

In a new study published in Biology Letters, Lanuza et al assess whether brain size, relative to body size, helps bee species adapt to human-made and rapidly changing environments. The role of pollinators is fundamental to the functioning of ecosystems. Rapid and widespread changes to the habitats of pollinators represents a major threat to individual…

As the global surface temperature reaches 1.1°C higher today than observed in 1850–1900, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere have been rapid and widespread, with far-reaching consequences for societies globally. Climate change is therefore the largest challenge facing humanity today. Based on the 2023 synthesis report…

The discovery of a species of snailfish has broken the record for the deepest fish ever found.This incredible creature was recently filmed swimming in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, south of Japan, at a depth of 8,336m – breaking the previous record for the deepest fish ever filmed. The discovery was made using an autonomous “lander” that…