Scientists uncovered the possible evolution of egg-caring using iNaturalist photos and scientific observations in a group of arachnids

Microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico is contaminating Texas oysters and causing biochemical stress and physiological damage

US meat products with sustainability labels do cost more, but price premiums vary greatly - from an average 7% increase for "organic" labelled chicken, to an average 33% increase for "grass-fed" labelled beef

A two-year collaboration between Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers and UTS scientists has delivered the first comprehensive scientific baseline for the corals around the Groote Archipelago in Australia's Northern Territory.

For dogs with heart disease, a fraction of a centimeter can make a life-changing difference.

Veterinarians often rely on chest radiographs to monitor subtle changes in heart size that help determine when treatment should begin. But those measurements can vary from one doctor to the next, making it difficult to know whether a dog’s condition is truly changing or whether the difference is simply the result of human interpretation.

Now, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have shown that an artificial intelligence-powered tool can measure canine heart size on radiographs with accuracy comparable to trained clinicians, potentially helping veterinarians identify disease progression with greater consistency and confidence.

The study, recently published in PLOS ONE, evaluated RadAnalyzer, a web- and smartphone-based application that automatically measures vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) — two metrics veterinarians use to assess heart enlargement and monitor disease progression.

Much like an indecisive single person on a dating app, female treefrogs struggle to pick the most desirable mates when they have too many options to choose from. According to a new study publishing August 12 in the Cell Press journal iScience, when female Cope’s gray treefrogs gather around ponds during mating season to listen to large groups of males chirping in noisy “choruses,” they struggle to pick the most desirable male. The researchers call this phenomenon “choice overload,” and it may impact the way species evolve over time. 

When shopping for a new appliance, choosing a movie to watch or even ordering a cup of coffee, people often experience “choice overload.” New research from the Smithsonian suggests that female Cope’s gray treefrogs face a similar challenge when selecting a mate. In a study published today in iScience, researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Tennessee found that when female treefrogs are confronted with too many males calls at once, they become less likely to successfully choose a mate.