Articles by Paul Arnold
Phys.org / How bean plants call on wasps for help when hungry caterpillars attack
Some plants are not the sitting ducks they appear to be when they come under attack. If a hungry caterpillar starts to chomp on the succulent leaves of a common bean plant, a highly sophisticated defense system kicks into ...
Phys.org / Outdoor lights may keep mosquitoes biting and breeding deeper into autumn
In some parts of the world, autumn brings welcome relief from mosquitoes, such as the Northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens). As the days grow shorter, the waning light is a signal for them to enter a winter state of dormancy ...
Phys.org / Fake predator eyes scare off seabirds until they learn they're not real
In Danish fisheries, fish-eating seabirds are a menace. They often swoop down and feed on fish trapped in nets, which can hit profits and also sometimes lead to the accidental death of the birds. So scientists deployed an ...
Phys.org / Spider silk-inspired process turns corn protein into tougher plastic-like material
When it comes to technology and innovation, we have a lot to thank Mother Nature for. Learning from the natural world has led to a range of useful products, including Velcro, self-cleaning paint, and ultra-strong body armor. ...
Phys.org / Nearly 50 years of data reveal happiness gap for single parents
Single parents are less happy than parents with a partner, according to a comprehensive analysis of global studies spanning nearly 50 years of data. With the number of solo caregivers on the rise in many countries, scientists ...
Medical Xpress / Experimental mRNA vaccine shows promise against multiple Ebola strains
Scientists from China have developed a new broad-spectrum mRNA vaccine that could provide long-term protection against the most lethal family of Ebola viruses, including the Bundibugyo strain behind the current outbreak in ...
Phys.org / Gentoo penguins cope with climate change heat waves by breeding earlier
Over the past few decades, heat waves have become more common in several parts of the world as our planet warms. That's a huge problem for many animals, as it can lead to habitat loss and push their bodies to lethal thresholds. ...
Phys.org / AI makes a major breakthrough in a math problem that had stumped experts for decades
For nearly 80 years, mathematicians have struggled to solve a classic geometry puzzle first posed by Paul Erdős in 1946: the planar unit distance problem. The question posed by the legendary Hungarian mathematician was, on ...
Tech Xplore / Smartphones may soon be able to track hidden objects using LiDAR
Modern smartphones are packed with incredible technology, from high-resolution cameras and advanced graphics chips to AI processors. In premium models, this hardware includes LiDAR (light detection and ranging), which helps ...
Science X / Hidden menstrual cycle patterns offer new way to track aging and long-term health
Scientists at SRI International in the US have developed an open-source tool designed to analyze the vast wealth of physiological data hidden within the menstrual cycle. Their long-term goal is to provide personalized health ...
Science X / A whale meets itself at last: Belugas may have crossed a cognition line to join an elite group of animals
For humans, recognizing our reflection comes naturally, and we barely give it a second thought. Called mirror self-recognition (MSR), it is widely considered a sign of self-awareness and cognitive development. In the animal ...
Science X / A 6,000-year-old necropolis in central Spain is forcing a radical rethink of who built Europe's first great tombs
Archaeologists working in Toledo, central Spain, have discovered what they believe is the oldest documented monumental necropolis in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula. This ancient site dates back to about the end of ...
Phys.org / New insights into how the human hand evolved from our ape-like ancestors
The human hand is an evolutionary marvel. While other primates rely on their hands for locomotion and basic grasping, ours can shape tools, manipulate objects, and perform detailed tasks requiring great dexterity and precision. ...
Phys.org / Climate catch-22: Cleaning up air pollution could speed key Atlantic current decline
It may sound counterintuitive, but new research suggests that cleaning up air pollution could contribute to a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This is the ocean current system that acts ...
Phys.org / Rare seals hide in underwater bubble caves to escape tourists
The uninhabited islet of Formicula in Greece's Inner Ionian archipelago is a popular tourist draw for its clear waters, swimming spots, and marine diversity. A major attraction is the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world's ...
