How do decisions get made in the natural world? One possibility is that the individuals or components in biological systems collectively compute solutions to challenges they face in their environments. Consider that fish navigate complex environments to find food and escape predators. Some fish do this by moving together as a unit, sometimes forming incredibly...
Prospective birth control pill for men has its origin in an arrow poison
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Women have many options for oral contraceptives that are safe, effective and reversible, but despite decades of research, men have none. Now, scientists report a rat study that shows they finally have a good lead for a male birth control pill. It's based on ouabain, a plant extract that African warriors...
Read more
Reimbursing ranchers for livestock killed by predators supports conservation efforts
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Alberta's predator compensation program offsets costs of conserving wildlife habitat on private lands in the province....
Read more
Coping with climate stress in Antarctica
Some Antarctic fish living in the planet's coldest waters are able to cope with the stress of rising carbon dioxide levels the ocean. They can even tolerate slightly warmer waters. But they can't deal with both stressors at the same time, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.
The study, published recently in...
California sea lion population rebounded to new highs
California sea lions have fully rebounded under the protection of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), with their population on the West Coast reaching carrying capacity in 2008 before unusually warm ocean conditions reduced their numbers, according to the first comprehensive population assessment of the species.
The sea lion population is healthy and robust, the new...
Mantis shrimp size each other up before ceding a fight
[unable to retrieve full-text content]To a mantis shrimp, walking away from a fight doesn't mean being a wimp. It means recognizing who they're up against and knowing when to bail rather than drag out a doomed battle, researchers say. Mantis shrimp use sparring matches to decide when to fight and when to fold....
Read more