All species big and small have a role to play in the natural world defining the habitat and the ecosystem they live in. Now scientists have found the important tasks whales have been given to maintain the health of the oceans. A recent study shows that these giant mammals have an influence on global carbon […]
Save Genetic Diversity to Save Tigers
In a research published today (17 April) by Stanford scholars, scientists have found that it is not just numbers but genetic diversity that will help save the tigers from extinction. Having lost 90 percent of their historical habitat almost half of the 3000 wild tigers in the world today live in India in national parks […]
World’s Highest Flying Bird may Hold Key To Prevention Of Heart Attacks
RESEARCH: In a significant breakthrough, scientists studying the survival mechanism of the world’s highest-flying bird- the bar-head goose, have indicated that the new insights gained from the study could help prevent killer medical conditions like heart attacks and strokes in humans. The bar-headed goose is one of the few living creatures that can survive at […]
Grazing Animals To Nature’s Rescue: Saving Dying Grasslands
RESEARCH: A team of scientists has come up with a unique solution to conserve and protect the grasslands that cover more than a quarter of the Earth’s land area. These rich bio-diverse ecosystems, which support the existence of several indigenous plants and animals, are experiencing rapid ecological decline due to the indiscriminate use of fertilizers […]
Find the Age of an Elephant from its Call
Did you know that you could get an accurate estimate of the age of an elephant just by analyzing the frequency of its call? Recent research has shown that it is in fact possible to calculate the age of an elephant from the low frequency long distance call sounds made by them. In a paper […]
The Song of the Indian Purple Frog
Scientists Study Rare Species With Unique Behavior UNUSUAL: Have you ever come across a weird-looking purple colored frog with a plump body and characteristic pointed snout? Chances are you have never even heard about their existence until now, because these fascinating members of the animal kingdom were only discovered as recently as in 2003. Now […]
Elephants Console each other in Times of Distress
BREAKTHROUGH: Consoling words or a gentle touch of a friendly hand are sometimes all that is needed to lift your mood at times when you feel sad or distressed. But new evidence finds that using physical touches and vocalizations is not a human behavior alone but elephants too are able to console each other in […]
Older Trees fight Global Warming better than Younger ones
BREAKTHROUGH: Old trees have much to give to the world. Flowers, fruits, shade, wisdom and as new research points out – respite from the ill effects of global warming. According to an international group of scientists led by Dr Nate Stephenson of the US Geological Survey, most tree species grow much faster as they age […]
Green Living Areas Make You Happier
Did you know that having green spaces in your neighborhood can have a long-term positive effect on your mental well-being? A group of researchers in the UK studying the effects of green spaces in urban areas have found that unlike the temporary boost that pay rises and promotions bring about, moving to a greener neighborhood […]
Plants can Learn and Remember Just like Animals
BREAKTHROUGH: It is more popularly known as the touch-me-not plant or the sensitive plant. Commonly seen around Indian homes and quite popular with children, the plant is so sensitive to touch that a gentle tap with a finger can make the leaves close and tiny branches droop as if someone cast a sleep spell on […]
Humans are Not Smarter than Animals
VIEWPOINT: There are tiny little insects called the Rhinoceros beetle that can lift 285 times their bodyweight. Humans can manage 1.7 times their bodyweight only. The starfish can regenerate their entire body from a cut off limb. Humans of course, can only regenerate a broken toe nail perhaps. Elephants can keep track of up to […]