Tag: Animals

Fish remains could replace the plastic used in packaging and clothes. Snakes, crocodiles and lizards are reared in animal farms to meet the luxury goods industry’s demand for exotic leather. Now, a Portuguese startup is hoping to prevent some 2 million animals each year from ending up as watch straps, shoes or bags. Animal cells are taken once from...

Birds base their flight path on the earth's magnetic field. Meeting a wind turbine en route, however, is unfortunate for both bird and turbine. Which is why a startup from Greece has developed a system that diverts the animals while simultaneously minimising the off-time of the electricity generators. Thermal imaging- and high-resolution cameras provide round-the-clock surveillance for critical areas...

Dragonfly wings have served as inspiration for flexible splints. And it seems we could learn a thing or two from grizzly bears. Despite consuming up to 20,000 calories per day and hibernating for long periods, the animals are able to regulate their blood sugar levels. A US research team fed honey water to six hibernating grizzly bears during wake...

A stroll in the woods can help reduce stress levels; so too words of encouragement from nursery children. Now a Belgian sound designer is lifting people’s moods with the noise of cats purring. Visitors to his website include those without cats of their own who nevertheless enjoy the soothing strain. With the help of a generator, purring can be...

Hidden ruins or lost hikers can be easily tracked down from the skies. Now, a 17-year-old girl from New York has developed an image processing software to help protect elephants by exposing potential poachers. Using her analysis of existing infrared videos of conservation areas in Africa, the teen created an algorithm for her cell phone. In contrast to previous...

In hospitals a good night’s sleep is key to recovery. In order to keep bees healthy meanwhile, a US startup has developed a smart home for up to 24 colonies. The solar-powered apiary is equipped with a camera, sensor technology and a robot arm. It controls the climate inside, monitors and removes pests without chemicals and provides food. Predictive...

The hearing-impaired community can safely navigate cities with apps. Birds have natural GPS, while elephant-nose fish create electric fields to avoid obstacles. Now a Massachusetts-based science centre is taking endangered right whales by the proverbial fin. Smart buoys are being installed off two of America’s busiest shipping ports on the Atlanatic coast to record the mammals’ acoustic signals and...

A computer-controlled hand is removing barriers for the deaf-blind community. And now a research team from Queensland University has developed an app that promotes international dialogue between scientists aiming to preserve endangered species of bird. Often, birds’ territory extends across continents and linguistic boundaries. In the app, species at risk of extinction are categorised according to language. A move...