Posts by 

Shireen Gonzaga

Earth

Solar superstorm in 664 BCE recorded in tree rings

Scientists have narrowed down the date of a solar superstorm that occurred some 2,600 years ago to 664 BCE, based on a spike in carbon-14 in ancient tree rings.
Earth

A mystery mollusk sea slug in the deep ocean

After 20 years of research, scientists have identified and named a new species of sea slug that lives in the deep ocean. They called it Bathydevius caudactylus.
Earth

Some tropical mammals shy away from the full moon

Moon phases influence the behavior of half the mammal species in tropical forests. About 1/3 of these tropical mammals are less active under a full moon.
Earth

It’s hard for albatrosses to feed in stormy conditions

Tracking devices attached to albatrosses show that the birds avoided strong winds and had trouble feeding when caught up in powerful storms.

Mirach is your guide star to finding 3 galaxies

Mirach in the constellation Andromeda helps stargazers locate the Andromeda Galaxy, the Triangulum Galaxy, and "Mirach's Ghost" (NGC 404).
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An ancient bug preserved in glittering fool’s gold

Scientists analyzed a newly discovered fossilized ancient bug species, 450 million years old, pristinely preserved in pyrite, or fool’s gold.
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What did pterosaurs eat? New fossil study reveals their diet

Fossilized stomach contents of 2 pterosaur species offered valuable information about the feeding habits and ecosystems of pterosaurs in the Jurassic period.
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Mexican jumping beans are sensitive to the color of light

Larvae in Mexican jumping beans are sensitive to the color of light, jumping more forcefully under red light. Also, damage to the seedpod impairs jumping.
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Dolphins make smile-like expressions during play

Bottlenose dolphins use an open-mouth facial expression when playing with each other, resembling what humans might perceive as a “smile.”
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Sea robins use their legs to taste the seafloor

Northern sea robins have 3 leg-like fin extensions, in front of each pectoral fin, with sensory organs that can taste the seafloor to detect buried prey.