Articles by Christopher Packham
Phys.org / 'Sad and distressing': Massive numbers of bird deaths in Australian heat waves reveal a profound loss is looming
Heat waves linked to climate change have already led to mass deaths of birds and other wildlife around the world. To stem the loss of biodiversity as the climate warms, we need to better understand how birds respond.
Phys.org / Magpies, curlews, peregrine falcons: How birds adapt to our cities, bringing wonder and joy and conflict
For all the vastness of our Outback and bush, most Australians live in urban areas. In cities, we live within an orderly landscape, molded and manufactured by us to suit our needs. But other species also live in this modified ...
Medical Xpress / How we can use gaming to support positive aging (and support our relationships with our pets, too)
Margaret, 63, loves playing online Scrabble everyday with her sister who lives interstate. The online game allows a playful way to keep in constant contact when geographically distant.
Phys.org / Listening to the song of melting glaciers
This is it, we have reached the bottom of the glacier. It is 327m under our feet. After drilling into the ice for six hours, our hot-water jet blasts into the sediment. The hose that connects it to the surface stops rolling ...
Phys.org / Good coffee, bad coffee: The curious tastes of cultural omnivores
Some people who love classical music also dance to Celine Dion. Others are craft beer aficionados who also enjoy a cold bottle of mass market beer at the beach. Some love independent movies while indulging in the guilty pleasure ...
Phys.org / Chernobyl black frogs reveal evolution in action
The accident at reactor four of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 generated the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history. The impact of the acute exposure to high doses of radiation ...
Tech Xplore / Hurricane Ian: When the power grid goes out, could solar and batteries power your home?
Hurricane Ian's catastrophic winds and flooding are likely to bring long-lasting power outages to large parts of Florida. The storm is the latest in a line of hurricanes and extreme heat and cold events that have knocked ...
Phys.org / Mystery of extinct New Zealand fish unraveled
Nearly 100 years after its last confirmed sighting, University of Otago researchers have revealed the genealogical story of the upokororo or New Zealand grayling.
Phys.org / Virtual Labrador could help researchers tackle dog bites
A virtual reality dog could one day be used as an educational tool to help prevent dog bites, thanks to an innovative project led by researchers at the University of Liverpool.
Medical Xpress / Innovative breath sampling device could revolutionize diagnosis of diseases, including COVID-19
New research shows 100% effectiveness of an innovative breath sampling device developed by Northumbria University medtech spinout, PulmoBioMed, that could revolutionize diagnosis of a range of diseases, including COVID-19.
Phys.org / We tend to underestimate our future expenses. Here's one way to prevent that
When asked to estimate how much money they would spend in the future, people underpredicted the total amount by more than C$400 per month. However, when prompted to think about unexpected spending in addition to typical expenses, ...
Medical Xpress / Abortion pills are being widely used in Nigeria: Women and suppliers talk about their experiences
Unintended pregnancy is common among women of reproductive age in Nigeria and a substantial number end in abortion. Annually between 2015 and 2019, almost three million pregnancies were unintended. Forty eight percent ended ...
Tech Xplore / Chess: How to spot a potential cheat
A few years ago, the chess website Chess.com temporarily banned U.S. grandmaster Hans Niemann for playing chess moves online that the site suspected had been suggested to him by a computer program. It had reportedly previously ...
Phys.org / 'Decarbonization is too expensive': How to sell climate change action to bean counters
The three most prevalent myths about tackling climate change allege that transitioning to renewable energy jacks up household bills, requires massive amounts of government subsidy and creates mass unemployment. These concerns ...
Medical Xpress / Deep brain stimulation can be life-altering for OCD sufferers when other treatment options fall short
Imagine growing up tormented by fears and life-consuming rituals that make no sense to you or those around you. Then imagine the shame of being told by mental health providers that, because you understand that your behaviors ...
