Pigeon Illusions
A listener asks: Why do pigeons bob their heads back and forth when they walk?
Podcast
FLU SEASON: Can exercise help stave off illness? Changes to the seasonal flu vaccine, bacterial surprises, and better ways to purify water in developing countries. Also: did life originate between mica sheets?
Fearless Aphids
Habituating crop-munching aphids to their own distress pheromone may make them more vulnerable to ladybugs.
Ovarian Cancer Test
Researchers are developing a highly accurate screening test for ovarian cancer.
Podcast
ANIMALS: A new way to sample dolphin DNA, pain-relief from sea snail venom, beetles born with bifocals, and why pigeons bob their heads when they walk.
Tail-Wagging Birds
A listener asks: Why do some birds bob their tails up and down?
Joint Regeneration
Scientists have generated fully functional, natural replacement joints in rabbits.
Cold Heart Attacks
The risk of a heart attack increases as temperatures go down.
Podcast
Cold weather heart attacks, a new test for ovarian cancer, high-elevation adaptations, what the numbers on a bottle of motor oil mean, and a telephone translator.
Pain Roundup
Researchers have developed a pill from the saliva of venomous sea snails that could be used to treat chronic pain.
Preventing Stroke
Stimulating a rat's whiskers after inducing stroke completely prevented brain damage.
Sunscreen Timing
A listener asks: how long should you wait after applying sunscreen before going outside?
Podcast
ANIMAL UPDATE: Beating aphids at their own game, why some birds bob their tails, ancient terror birds of South America, and more.
Photo licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
GNU_Free_Documentation_License
MS & Gut Bacteria
Stomach bacteria may play a role in multiple sclerosis, according to an animal study.
Tibetan Adaptation
Tibetans have a unique genetic adaptation that allows them to survive high altitude, low oxygen conditions.
Podcast
CUTTING-EDGE MEDICINE: Re-growing joints and re-constructing faces, the link between gut bacteria and multiple sclerosis, and octopus venoms that could treat pain.
Penguin Calls
The steadiness of a male Adélie penguin's call is what attracts a mate.
Podcast
SCIENCE OF SOUND: Male penguins attract females by the sound of their voice, tropical wrens sing duets, and there's a new screening test for autism that analyzes speech patterns. Also: exposing "facilitated communication".
*Image originally appeared in: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0020406
Bacterial Goldilocks
Bacteria find thawed arctic soils really yummy. That might be good for the bacteria, but it could be bad for the planet.
Arctic Fish
Because of climate change, an Arctic fish's survival strategy might not work much longer.
Flamingo Romance
Playing flamingo calls from speakers helps put captive birds in the mood to breed.
Animal Communication Roundup
Science Update's 5000th episode! Wild margay cats imitate the calls of baby monkeys to ambush prey.
Not-So-Busy Bees
Bees take a break from work every night, even when the sun never sets.