A 2001 experiment at the New York Aquarium showed beluga whales, specifically Natasha and her daughter Maris, exhibiting self-directed behaviours in front of a mirror, indicating mirror self-recognition (MSR), a sign of self-awareness.
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The mirror test, developed by Gordon Gallup in 1970, assesses self-awareness in animals by checking for contingency testing and mark-directed behaviour.
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Kyoto University researchers have used orbital data from 1,200 Starlink satellites to map thermospheric density at 482 km. By analyzing atmospheric drag via tomography, the team created a 2D density map, offering a new method for monitoring the upper atmosphere.
Kyoto University researchers have developed a method to map thermospheric density at 482 km altitude by analyzing orbital drag data from 1,200 Starlink satellites, offering a new way to monitor the upper atmosphere using existing commercial infrastructure.
Scientists have named a newly described non-venomous snake species from New Guinea Lielaphis slashi after Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, honoring his lifelong interest in reptiles and natural history.
Vallabh Ramesh, an 18-year-old high school student, has created a thermo-responsive polymer gel that can be 3D-printed with affordable equipment, changing properties at body temperature, with potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and beyond.
New research estimates lake sturgeon may live up to 427 years (females) and 279 years (males), far exceeding previous 150-year lifespan estimates, with implications for conservation management.
A study in Puglia, Italy, found that installing photovoltaic panels over vineyards increased grape yields by 277% compared to full-sun vines. The system improved microclimate conditions, soil moisture, and energy generation, achieving a land equivalent ratio of 3.54.