Science Quickly

Scientific American
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Aug 26, 2020 • 4min

White Rhinos Eavesdrop to Know Who's Who

The finding could potentially help wildlife managers keep better tabs on their herds. Jason G. Goldman reports.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 21, 2020 • 3min

Prehistoric Marine Reptile Died after a Giant Meal

Researchers found extra bones within a 240-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil—which they determined to be the ichthyosaur’s last, possibly fatal meal. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 19, 2020 • 4min

Cows with Eye Images Keep Predators in Arrears

Butterflies, fish and frogs sport rear-end eyespots that reduce predation. Painting eye markings on cows similarly seems to ward off predators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 18, 2020 • 5min

Warbler Species Fires Up Song Diversity

Hermit warblers in California have developed 35 different song dialects, apparently as a result of wildfires temporarily driving them out of certain areas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 12, 2020 • 4min

Why Lava Worlds Shine Brightly (It's Not the Lava)

Scientists determined that “lava world” exoplanets do not derive their brightness from molten rock but possibly get it from reflective metallic clouds. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 11, 2020 • 5min

Aardvarks Are Ailing amid Heat and Drought

Climate change is expected to bring more frequent droughts and heat waves to Africa’s Kalahari Desert. And aardvarks might not be able to cope. Jason G. Goldman reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 7, 2020 • 4min

The World's Highest-Dwelling Mammal Lives atop a Volcano

Scientists spotted a mouse at the summit of Llullaillaco, a 22,000-foot-tall volcano on the border of Chile and Argentina. Julia Rosen reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 5, 2020 • 3min

Dampening of the Senses Is Linked to Dementia Risk

A decline in smell was the sense loss most strongly associated with such risk in a recent study. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 4, 2020 • 4min

Translucent Frog Optics Create Camo Color

Rather than undergoing active chameleonlike color changes, glass frogs’ translucency allows light to bounce from their background and go through them—making their apparent color close to their setting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 3, 2020 • 4min

Paired Comparisons Could Mean Better Witness Identifications

Compared with traditional lineup techniques, a series of two-faces-at-a-time choices led to more accurate identification by study witnesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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