New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Homing pigeons are willing to spend more energy to travel in pairs

Nick Lavars June 18, 2019

Birds flying together in formation can save substantial amounts of energy. But what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander, with scientists finding that for pairs of homing pigeons this approach actually costs them energy instead.

A recent research project found that homing pigeons like to fly in pairs when they can, ...

Space Audio available

Scientists uncover evidence of ancient giant meteor strike in Scotland

David Szondy June 10, 2019

A team of scientists led by Ken Amor from the Department of Earth Sciences at Oxford University has uncovered evidence of the largest meteor ever to strike the British Isles.

A meteor strike left debris scattered over Scotland

Environment

Stalled waves in the jet stream blamed for last year's extreme weather events

Michael Irving April 30, 2019

The summer of 2018 was marked by extreme weather events like droughts and floods. A new study has pinned the blame on stalled giant waves in the jet stream, and unfortunately they’re expected to only get worse with the changing climate.

Climate researchers have blamed stalled giant waves in the jet stream for some of last year's ...

Science Audio available

First human gene therapy surgery attempts to halt common form of vision loss

Rich Haridy February 19, 2019

In an extraordinary milestone procedure, scientists in the UK have performed the first gene therapy operation aimed at stopping progression of the most common cause of vision loss. The success of the procedure is yet to be determined.

A novel form of gene therapy may save the vision of millions of people around the ...

Science Audio available

Oxford anthropologists identify seven universal rules of morality

Rich Haridy February 13, 2019

In the largest cross-cultural survey ever conducted, a team of anthropologists has determined 7 moral rules they suggest are universal. Surveying ethnographic accounts from 60 different cultures the research concludes every single culture analyzed seems to be ruled by the same moral precepts.

A study of 60 different cultures has confirmed seven universal moral rules based on social cooperation

Medical Audio available

Heart-healing fish may help humans do the same

Ben Coxworth November 21, 2018

After a heart attack, the heart's damaged muscle tissue is replaced by non-beating scar tissue. Unfortunately, this leaves the muscle permanently weakened. There could be new hope, however, as scientists have taken strides toward understanding how a fish is able to heal its own heart.

The blind, cave-dwelling variant of the Astyanax Mexicanus tetra

Medical Audio available

Scientists engineer a virus to take out cancer cells and their accomplices

Nick Lavars November 19, 2018

Scientists have developed a pioneering two-pronged virus that targets cancerous cells and the healthy neighboring cells that can aid and abet them, a new tool they describe as the first of its kind.

Scientists have given an engineered virus some new cancer-fighting abilities

Science Audio available

Oxford study finds screen time doesn't disrupt children's sleep

Rich Haridy November 7, 2018

Perhaps one of the biggest dilemmas faced by parents in the 21st century is how much screen time their child should be allowed. A new study from the University of Oxford may set some parent’s minds at ease, finding screen time has little to no effect on the duration of a child’s sleep.

The University of Oxford study found almost no difference in overall sleep duration between children who ...

Biology

Scientists witness crows building tools from various parts for the first time

Nick Lavars October 25, 2018

Crows and their close relatives ravens are known to be quite intelligent. New research has now uncovered a previously unknown ability, with crows being observed building tools from multiple parts for the first time ever.

Birds of the corvid family are known to be smart, but scientists have now uncovered a ...

Science

An ancient virus may be responsible for some addictive behaviors

Rich Haridy September 25, 2018

Researchers have revealed that an ancient retrovirus, found in between 5 and 10 percent of the world’s population, is significantly associated with addiction. The study uncovered a connection between the retrovirus and a gene that could make individuals prone to a variety of addictive behaviors.

Intriguing results suggest a retrovirus increases expression of a gene that makes individuals more disposed to ...