Tag Archives: animals

From glowing corals to vomiting shrimp, animals have been using bioluminescence to communicate for millions of years. Here’s what scientists still don’t know about it

People have long been fascinated by organisms that can produce light. Aristotle, a scientist as well as philosopher, wrote the first detailed descriptions of what he called “cold light” more than 2,000 years ago. More recently, pioneering researchers such as World War II Army veteran Emmett Chappelle and deep submersible pilot Edith Widder have advanced… Read More »

Bird flu is extremely lethal to some animals but not others. Scientists want to know why

NEW YORK (AP) – Bird flu has been blamed for the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide in the past two years. It killed hordes of seals and sea lions, destroyed mink farms, and wiped out cats, dogs, skunks, foxes, and even a polar bear. But it doesn’t seem to have touched… Read More »

Bird flu is extremely lethal to some animals but not others. Scientists want to know why

From glowing corals to vomiting shrimp, animals have been using bioluminescence to communicate for millions of years. Here’s what scientists still don’t know about it

colonial faux gold coral savalia Bioluminescence demonstrated in the Caribbean in 2009. Sönke Johnsen, CC BY-ND Octocorals can create coral gardens and animal forests in the oceans, especially in the deep sea. These communities provide homes and breeding habitat for many other animals, including fish and sharks. All octocols use the same chemical reaction to… Read More »

Climate crisis forces Mongolian herders to endure worsening summer droughts and severe winter storms

A man holds his hat as a sudden dust storm swirls outside.Manish Swarup via AP Photos Herders in Mongolia face difficult decisions as the climate crisis threatens their way of life. Shepherds make up about one-third of Mongolia’s population. As of 2021, 77% of land in Mongolia has been degraded due to overgrazing and climate… Read More »