The Pulse
Today's pet press, in one place — every story links to its source.
Study reveals how biological echo chambers form—and what can break them
Tropical army ants are known to form devastating armadas that march through forests eating other insects and small creatures. As they march, they deposit chemical trails of pheromones that others behind them sense and follow. But occasionally one of these ants will walk in a circle, prompting a subset of ants behind them to follow until they all collapse and die.
Aloe vera, wormwood, turmeric blend may alter dog gut bacteria
Researchers found differences in specific bacterial populations associated with intestinal health after 30 days of botanical supplementation...
How social brains allow animal groups to escape danger
Social behavior is found across the tree of life, with animals of all types benefiting from living in a group environment. Large bird flocks and fish schools coordinate their actions by sharing information among individuals. This is especially important when groups are attacked by predators, since information about a threat must promptly pass between members of the group to enable effective…
Science & Research
Plants use a molecular measuring tape to tell fungal friend from foe
Chitin, a chain of repeating sugar molecules, is the main building block of fungal cell walls. When fungi grow or are broken down, fragments of chitin chains of different lengths end up in the soil, and plants detect them to monitor the microbes around them.
Reading the leaves: Decoding the secret cellular language of plants
There's more to growing a plant than just adding enough water and providing adequate sunlight.
Mom Finds Golden Retriever Suspicious, Only To Discover What He’s Been Hiding
This video featuring a Golden Retriever hiding his duck friend from his mom is too wholesome to miss. While the dog named Boojeaux already has loving humans around him, he recently got some unexpected companions. His parent, who goes by the Instagram account @dojeauxcreamgoldens, recently brought home a few ducks. It didn’t take long for […] The post Mom Finds Golden Retriever Suspicious, Only To…
Cities Matter More to Bird Migration Than We Thought
Key takeaways: urban bird migration A recent study found that nearly half of all U.S. migration hotspots, where many birds rest and refuel, are in metropolitan areas. This could be because cities...
The mosquito's transition from vegan to bloodsucker explained
Scents govern most key events in the lives of mosquitoes, and there is extensive research on their sense of smell. A new study reveals how a young female mosquito shifts from focusing entirely on nectar to seeking only blood. An odor receptor that reacts to camphor was found to play a key role.
10 Types of Angelfish for Stunning Freshwater Aquariums
Discover vibrant angelfish varieties and their aquarium care tips.
Discover 5 Popular Pit Bull Dog Breeds and Their Unique Traits
Uncover the loyal, playful nature of these five beloved breeds
Cornell scientists identify rare human genetic disorder in two unusually long-legged cats
Two unusually long-legged cats have helped scientists uncover the first genetically confirmed cases of Marfan syndrome in domestic felines. Researchers at Cornell University discovered that the brothers carried two altered copies of a gene linked to the rare connective tissue disorder, which can affect the eyes, heart, and blood vessels. Surprisingly, the cats survived into adulthood because…
Bees see the world in more ways than previously thought
The honey bee has held a special place in vision research. It is one of the best-studied insects, and much of what scientists know about how bees perceive the world is based on studies of honey bees.