When a flock of crows began antagonizing an owl in my neighborhood, we could hear the commotion from blocks away. It was late morning, a time when owls typically sleep.Dozens of crows swarmed the owl as it moved from a tree branch to a rooftop to a fence post. The owl seemed old and was missing an eye, and at times it seemed as though it was bracing itself when the crows darted close.The crows antagonizing the owl were exhibiting mobbing behavior. In the past 50 years, more scientists have becom ...read more
What happens to a dead body in an extremely cold environment? Does it decompose? How do these conditions affect how forensic scientists understand when the person died?Estimating time of death, also called the post-mortem interval, is a complex task. It plays an important role in forensic investigations, as it can provide critical insights into the timeline of events leading up to a person’s death. This information can narrow down potential scenarios and suspects, aiding in the resolution of c ...read more
Is the adage “calories in, calories out” true? The short answer is yes, but the full story is more nuanced.From the moment food touches your tongue to the time it leaves your body, your digestive system and gut microbiome work to extract its nutrients. Enzymes in your mouth, stomach and small intestine break down food for absorption, while microbes in your large intestine digest the leftovers.“Calories in, calories out” refers to the concept that weight change is determined by the balanc ...read more
One newly described group of Neanderthals appeared to have never met their neighbors.Scientists found a new lineage of the early humans that emerged about 100,000 years ago. They remained genetically stable for about 50,000 years ago and possessed genomes that differed from Neanderthals found elsewhere on Earth at that time, according to a report in the journal Cell Genomics. Remarkably, the newly described Neanderthals lived within walking distance of the greater population. The findings have t ...read more
Colugos look something like a cross between a bug-eyed pug, a flying fox, and a squirrel. But appearances can be deceiving. These mammals that glide the forests of Southeast Asia occupy a distinct branch of evolution, distantly related to primates.Also called flying lemurs – though this is a bit of a misnomer as they can’t fly and aren’t lemurs – these quirky-looking creatures live by night in the tropical forests of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and S ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine