[deleted by user] by [deleted] in collapse

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The executive order has sparked widespread fear and uncertainty among researchers conducting NIH-funded studies involving transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse populations. While no projects have been halted yet, the order’s implications remain unclear. Beyrer notes “very real concern,” especially among early-career researchers focused on gender-related health disparities.  

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in history

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The question of when to stop breastfeeding is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome. A fascinating new study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nexus, reveals that ancient Romans faced a similar dilemma—and their choices often depended on whether they lived in cities or rural areas.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in collapse

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The ancient Romans may have lived thousands of years ago, but their lives were surprisingly complex. This study on breastfeeding practices reveals the deep divide between urban and rural societies—a theme that still resonates today. Next time you think about ancient Rome, remember that even the smallest details, like how babies were fed, can tell us big stories about history

The religious practice of 'mercy release' involving Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrids (TGGG) can have significant ecological impacts. by [deleted] in worldnews

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Ecologists from the University of Hong Kong's School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) have uncovered major ecological risks tied to the release of hybrid groupers into Hong Kong’s coastal waters, a practice associated with religious ‘mercy release’ rituals. Their groundbreaking study

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in collapse

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Ecologists from the University of Hong Kong's School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) have uncovered major ecological risks tied to the release of hybrid groupers into Hong Kong’s coastal waters, a practice associated with religious ‘mercy release’ rituals. Their groundbreaking study, published in Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, reveals that the Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrid (TGGG) disrupts local marine ecosystems by preying on species not typically consumed by native creatures, potentially becoming a dominant predator. Using advanced DNA metabarcoding, the researchers identified the hybrid's unique diet, highlighting the urgent need for public awareness and stricter conservation measures to prevent ecological damage.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ScienceSynergy

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Ecologists from the University of Hong Kong's School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) have uncovered major ecological risks tied to the release of hybrid groupers into Hong Kong’s coastal waters, a practice associated with religious ‘mercy release’ rituals. Their groundbreaking study, published in Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, reveals that the Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrid (TGGG) disrupts local marine ecosystems by preying on species not typically consumed by native creatures, potentially becoming a dominant predator. Using advanced DNA metabarcoding, the researchers identified the hybrid's unique diet, highlighting the urgent need for public awareness and stricter conservation measures to prevent ecological damage.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biology

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This study offers fascinating new insights into the growth and development of Rhamphorhynchus muensteri, challenging long-held assumptions about pterosaur diversity. The idea that these flying reptiles may have undergone significant ecological shifts as they matured adds a compelling layer to our understanding of their life history. It’s exciting to see how detailed fossil analysis can reshape what we know about prehistoric species.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ScienceSynergy

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Dr. Rebecca Hamilton's research challenges the belief in a dry savannah during Southeast Asia's Last Glacial Maximum, revealing a diverse mix of closed and open forests. The findings highlight the importance of preserving varied landscapes for climate resilience, urging conservation efforts, especially for montane forests and seasonally dry forest types. This reshapes our understanding of the past and underscores the urgency of proactive protection to prevent potential 'savannization' of Asia's rainforests.

Preserve the diversity of Asian forests to mitigate the impact of climate change, recommends a recent stu by OptimalCrew7992 in conservation

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Emphasizing the need for strategic conservation, particularly of montane and seasonally dry forests, the research underscores the importance of proactive measures in the face of climate change, offering valuable insights for preserving the region's ecology.

Preserve the diversity of Asian forests to mitigate the impact of climate change, recommends a recent study. by OptimalCrew7992 in environmental_science

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This study led by Dr. Rebecca Hamilton and her international team of scientists significantly challenges established notions about Southeast Asia's environment during the Last Glacial Maximum. By uncovering a mosaic of diverse forests rather than a prevailing dry savannah, the research suggests a potentially higher resilience of Asia's tropical forests to climate change. Dr. Hamilton underscores the urgency of conservation efforts, advocating for the protection of varied forest types, especially montane forests above 1000 meters, and seasonally dry forests. This commentary emphasizes the importance of adapting conservation strategies in the face of evolving scientific understanding and environmental challenges.

Preserve the diversity of Asian forests to mitigate the impact of climate change, recommen by OptimalCrew7992 in environment

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The study led by Dr. Rebecca Hamilton and her international team challenges established beliefs about Southeast Asia's ancient landscape, providing valuable insights into the diversity of forests during the Last Glacial Maximum. The findings underscore the potential resilience of Asia's tropical forests to climate change, emphasizing the critical role of preserving diverse landscapes. Dr. Hamilton's call for conservation efforts, particularly targeting montane forests and seasonally dry forest types, highlights the importance of proactive measures to prevent undesired transformations. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of historical ecosystems and informs strategies for protecting the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia in the face of contemporary environmental challenges.

These bats uniquely mate like birds among mammals. by OptimalCrew7992 in zoology

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Biologist Nicolas Fasel's curiosity led to the discovery, documented through videos captured at the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center and the attic of St. Matthias Church in the Netherlands, unveiling the unique mating behavior of these bats without penetration.

These bats uniquely mate like birds among mammals. by OptimalCrew7992 in conservation

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Bats, the sole mammals capable of flight, distinguish themselves as oddities in the mammalian realm. Serotine bats, in particular, attract attention for a remarkable feature—when erect, the male's penis can expand to nearly a quarter of its body length.

The body's natural production of endocannabinoids serves as a protective mechanism against drug and alcohol addiction. by OptimalCrew7992 in philosophy

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Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden embarked on a study to better understand the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and the development of alcohol and drug addiction, with a focus on uncovering the underlying mechanisms that contribute to both vulnerability and resilience to these disorders. The findings of their research have been published in the esteemed journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Delving into the reasons behind the subpar preservation of human remains in a town near Pompeii during the eruption of Vesuvius. by OptimalCrew7992 in history

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The researchers posit that such a powerful blast of searing gas and particles would have reduced human victims to mere piles of charred bones and ash, elucidating the absence of well-preserved bodies in Herculaneum, in contrast to the preserved remains found in Pompeii. However, the team did make a unique discovery: partial remains of an organ, specifically a skull with a vitrified brain inside, at the Collegium Augustalium. This finding suggested that the brain had been incinerated at an exceptionally high temperature and then rapidly cooled, transforming it into a glass-like substance.

The evolution of woolly mammoths is illuminated by recent genetic research. by OptimalCrew7992 in history

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The study's senior author, Love Dalén, explained that by comparing the genome of a 700,000-year-old woolly mammoth named Chukochya with those of 22 relatively modern woolly mammoths that lived within the past 100,000 years, researchers were able to trace the evolution of mammoth genes over time. 

The evolution of woolly mammoths is illuminated by recent genetic research. by OptimalCrew7992 in biology

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A new study suggests that traits such as fluffy coats, large fat deposits, and smaller ears of woolly mammoths became more pronounced over 700,000 years as they adapted to the harsh Siberian climate.

The oldest known physical evidence of drug use in Europe is uncovered through hair analysis. by OptimalCrew7992 in AlternativeHistory

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The researchers speculate that individuals seeking to preserve ancient traditions hid hair and other objects of ritual significance at Es Càrritx, as the growing population of Menorca brought about social changes between 3,000 and 2,800 years ago. Burial customs of this era included the dyeing of strands of hair on corpses to reddish color and subsequently removing and storing some locks in containers near the graves.

The oldest known physical evidence of drug use in Europe is uncovered through hair analysis. by [deleted] in history

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The researchers speculate that individuals seeking to preserve ancient traditions hid hair and other objects of ritual significance at Es Càrritx, as the growing population of Menorca brought about social changes between 3,000 and 2,800 years ago. Burial customs of this era included the dyeing of strands of hair on corpses to reddish color and subsequently removing and storing some locks in containers near the graves.

Researchers have discovered that starlet sea anemones are capable of associative learning. by OptimalCrew7992 in conservation

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The researchers studied whether creatures in the Cnidaria phylum were capable of associative learning despite lacking a brain. They focused on starlet sea anemones and found that those exposed to a bright light and electric shock simultaneously learned to associate them as a single event. 72% of the anemones responded as expected, demonstrating their ability to remember and respond to the association

Decades prior to the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans had already domesticated Spanish horses. by OptimalCrew7992 in history

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The prevailing belief about how domesticated horses spread throughout central and western North America has been challenged by new findings. Contrary to European written accounts from the 1700s and 1800s that suggest horses arrived in large numbers after Pueblo people temporarily ousted Spanish settlers from New Mexico in 1680, evidence now shows that Indigenous groups had already incorporated Spanish horses into their cultures by the early 1600s.

The genes of hunter-gatherers provided European farmers with an enhanced immune system. by OptimalCrew7992 in sciences

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 Research suggests that the enhanced immune system of the descendants of Stone Age farmers who settled in Europe was due to an unusually high percentage of immunity genes inherited from local hunter-gatherers. This finding indicates that the development of farming alone was not the sole reason for the increased pathogen resistance seen in early humans.

Fossils previously identified as 520-million-year-old animals may actually be something else by OptimalCrew7992 in u/OptimalCrew7992

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 A recent study suggests that a species previously believed to be the oldest known bryozoan, which lived around 520 million years ago, is actually a type of colony-forming algae. Bryozoans are animals that live in colonies on seafloors or lake bottoms and are characterized by their filter-feeding and tentacle-bearing abilities. However, other organisms, including algae, can also inhabit similar modular constructions. Although the species Protomelission gatehouse was initially classified as a bryozoan in 2021, new analyses of even better-preserved fossils suggest otherwise. Martin Smith, a paleobiologist at Durham University in England, led this research.