Unveiling the science behind a beautiful singing voice
Expert listeners can often form an immediate impression of a singer’s performance. But what exactly in the voice drives that judgment? In classical vocal competitions, performers are rated on an overall score. However, the criteria behind that…
New CO₂ sensor combines high sensitivity with a wider measurement range
Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed a carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor that combines high sensitivity with a wider measurement range.Go to story
Northern permafrost greening masks declining plant resilience, study finds
An international study jointly led by researchers from the Department of Geography and the Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality at the Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has revealed that vegetation resilience across…
Overlooked insects are bucking the trend and becoming more abundant, study finds
Scientists have uncovered surprising evidence that many of Britain’s overlooked insects and spiders are becoming more abundant and emerging earlier in the year, according to a new study.Go to story
Gold mining introduces an overlooked threat to wild caimans
Mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining in tropical regions is finding its way into wildlife. A team from the University of Vienna and the Veterinary University of Vienna shows that mercury exposure impairs the glucocorticoid response that helps…
Satellites leak noise that interferes with telescopes and GPS. Here’s how to fix it
Less than a decade ago, there were about 2,000 operational satellites orbiting Earth. Today there are more than 15,000. Millions more are planned.Go to story
Satellite analysis finds little evidence that data centers cause widespread ground warming
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters has found little evidence that hyperscale data centers cause significant heating of surrounding land. While a previous study suggested data centers heat surrounding land by about 2 °C on average (up…
Fireworks provide a few minutes of joy, but the economic and environmental costs last much longer
Every Bonfire Night, people pay for a box of fireworks so their friends and family can enjoy the colorful display. Within a few minutes, it’s all over. But the price on the box doesn’t reflect the hidden costs: the smoke inhaled by neighbors,…
Overlooked Melbourne patch reveals 45 animal species and more than 40 plant types
When we think about nature in our cities, what often comes to mind are parks and reserves-planned, managed and clearly marked spaces that support animal and plant life in our urban environment.Go to story
This fruit fly’s aphrodisiac reveals how social and environmental context shape mating practices
Imagine a crowded dance floor where bodies move to the beat beneath a glittering disco ball. Some of the dancers pair up, drawn together by the heady atmosphere. For flies, as for humans, the right atmosphere can serve as a potent aphrodisiac.Go to story