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Click chemistry used to weave customizable spider silk
Click chemistry spins bacterial-produced spider silk into a biomedical marvel, promising innovations in fiber optics, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. For centuries, silk farmers reigned supreme, their coveted threads gleaned from silkworms, making them the envy of the ancient world. In modern times, spider silk has become a material to envy due to its amazing…
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Core family estate gifts strengthen nature, history resources at WVU
A late relative of longtime West Virginia University biology professor and local historian Earl L. Core is providing more than $1.8 million to support the study of nature and history in his memory. The bequest gifts from daughter-in-law Roberta Sue Core total $1,813,719 to date, with more funds expected as her estate is settled. Those…
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BirdLife International announces the appointment of Martin Harper as its new CEO.
A biologist by training, Martin has 27 years’ experience of conservation leadership in a variety of Non-Governmental Organisations including serving as Global Conservation Director of the RSPB prior to joining the BirdLife International Secretariat in 2021. As an experienced advocate and communicator, Martin will work with his leadership team to implement the ambitious BirdLife strategy…
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Expected Utility Forecasting for Science Funding – Federation of American Scientists
The typical science grantmaker seeks to maximize their (positive) impact with a limited amount of money. The decision-making process for how to allocate that funding requires them to consider the different dimensions of risk and uncertainty involved in science proposals, as described in foundational work by economists Chiara Franzoni and Paula Stephan. The Von Neumann-Morgenstern…
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Recharge and Reconnect: Nature’s Influence on Nurse Mental Health
Listen to this article. A recent paper in Science Advances reveals the value of nature experience for mental health. Nurses are no strangers to long shifts and hectic work environments where the stakes can often be life or death. High stress levels can drain nurses’ energy, impede attention and critical thinking, and ultimately lead to declining patient care and…
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Sweet potatoes: A comprehensive guide to nature’s sweet gift
In the realm of nutritious and versatile foods, sweet potatoes stand out as a vibrant and nutrient-rich delight. Beyond their sweet taste and comforting nature, these root vegetables offer an array of health benefits and culinary versatility. Let’s explore the world of sweet potatoes, uncovering their essence, benefits, uses, and more. Advertisement What are Sweet…
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Four Issues to Watch at the Upcoming UN Climate Talks
Next week, the 28th annual United Nations climate meetings (also known as COP, meaning “conference of the parties”) will kick off in in Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates that is best known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, artificial islands—and its oil wealth. After this year’s wild ride on the climate change roller…
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Nature photographers posting to social media help with protecting biodiversity
Nature photographers posting to social media are helping improve biodiversity conservation mapping in South Asia, and the method could go global. Dr Shawan Chowdhury from UQ’s School of the Environment led an international team which scoured images on Facebook nature photography groups in Bangladesh, to add to the existing Global Biodiversity Information Facility database. “We…
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Are we ready to study consciousness in crabs and the like?
Twenty-five years ago, the burgeoning science of consciousness studies was rife with promise. With cutting-edge neuroimaging tools leading to new research programmes, the neuroscientist Christof Koch was so optimistic, he bet a case of wine that we’d uncover its secrets by now. The philosopher David Chalmers had serious doubts, because consciousness research is, to put…
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‘Extremely worrying’: Argentinian researchers reel after election of anti-science president
Javier Milei celebrates becoming Argentina’s next president alongside his sister Karina Milei on 19 November.Credit: Tomas Cuesta/Getty Argentina could be entering a new age. After a second-round election yesterday, libertarian candidate Javier Milei became president, winning 56% of the votes. Ever since the country became a democracy in 1983, it has been ruled predominantly by…
