Zoology

Picky Eating and Brain Evolution in Butterflies

September 26, 2023October 4, 2023 Science Connectedanimal behavior, brain, butterflies, evolution, memory, pollen

Brain evolution in the Heliconius butterfly is linked to their specific feeding preferences and foraging behaviors.

Neuroscience Zoology

Brains and Play Behavior in Rats

September 5, 2023August 31, 2023 Science Connectedanimal behavior, brain, laughter, neuroscience

Play behavior and laughter in rats is influenced by their environment and by the part of the brain that controls fight or flight responses.

mosquito eater, or crane fly, by ashleigh290 via Flickr

Biology Environment Zoology

Do mosquito eaters eat mosquitos?

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 Science Connectedinsects, mosquito, nature

Are you wondering if the well-known mosquito eaters actually eat mosquitos? Find out the answer to this question and more.

Climate Change Ecology Zoology

Bee Phenology: How Are Bees Feeling the Heat?

August 1, 2023July 31, 2023 Science Connectedbees, climate change, environment, pollination, pollinators

Rising temperatures in recent years have been linked to observed shifts in bee phenology. These changes may impact pollination.

Emperor penguins facing each other across a gap in the ice. Credit: Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0

Biodiversity and Conservation Climate Change Ornithology

Emperor Penguins Now a Threatened Species

January 18, 2023January 17, 2023 Science Connectedanimals, birds, climate change, conservation, extinction, penguins

Emperor penguins officially a threatened species because of projections of population decline from climate change and ineffective conservation.

Researchers find that drumming in woodpeckers is neurologically similar to singing in songbirds. Credit: Attribution withheld at license-holder's request (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Biology Ornithology

Is Drumming Like Singing? A Focus on Woodpeckers

December 28, 2022December 25, 2022 Science Connectedbirds, birdsong, communication, singing, woodpecker

Woodpeckers may not sing out melodies, but a new study hones in on how their drumming may be similar to birdsong on a neural level.

cat-specific music reduces stress in cats

Zoology

Cats Are Calmed by Cat-Specific Music

December 14, 2022August 31, 2023 Science Connectedmusic, stress

Cats in a new study showed lower stress responses while listening to a certain type of music, which could help vet visits be less stressful.

Biology Health Zoology

How Does Tissue Regenerate?

November 11, 2022November 10, 2022 Science Connectedregeneration

By Noeline Subramaniam (@spicy_scientist) Regeneration often sounds like science fiction—Wolverine’s healing superpowers probably spring to mind. But you don’t have to be a mutant to be able to regenerate. In fact, humans have the ability to regenerate in utero until the beginning of the third trimester. With the exception of our liver and digit tips, we largely lose this capacity as adults—but why? Let’s turn to the animal kingdom for answers. Is regeneration lost through evolution? Before we get to the species that, for the most part, are unable to…