Crab vs. machine: Robot tests fiddler crab courtship tactics
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Figured Out Exactly How People Judge Your Body Count
It's no surprise that prospective partners judge us for how many people we've had sex with — but new research suggests that there are key factors that may impact just how judgmental they may be. Published in the journal Sciences Advances, a new paper out of Wales' Swansea University found that although many folks are still reticent to commit to those who have high "body counts" — popular slang for a person's number of previous sexual partners — many are willing to look past it if those numbers dwindled over time, suggesting they grew out of an interest in casual sex. In a wide-reaching survey of more than 5,300 people across 11 countries and five continents, the Welsh psychological researchers examined a diverse swathe of the global population's outlook on potential partners based on their sexual history. Some findings were unsurprising. Overall, people seemed to prefer that their potential paramours had fewer partners. Others contradicted popular narratives, such as the lack of a double standard between how people judged the number of partners men and women had across the 11 countries surveyed. And other results seemed to uncover mechanisms of judgment that might be intuitive, but haven't saturated popular culture in the same way. One experiment, for instance, involved showing study participants visual timelines meant to represent a theoretical partner's sexual history. The finding from that experiment was intriguing: even when different timelines included the same number of past partners, they were designed so that the concentration over time varied significantly, with some showing a lot more encounters early in life, others decreasing steadily over time, and others spread out evenly throughout. After examining the timelines, the study's subjects were asked how willing they would be to commit to or date seriously someone with each corresponding sexual history. Those whose number of new partners dwindled later in their lives were the clear winners. While it may seem overly judgmental to base one's willingness to commit on notches in a potential partner's bedpost, head Swansea researcher Andrew Thomas posited that these preferences are rooted in a deep-seated desire for stability. "People use sexual history as a cue to assess relationship risk," Thomas said in a statement about the research. "In our ancestral past, knowing someone's sexual history could help people avoid risks like [sexually transmitted infections], infidelity, emotional instability, or rivalry with ex-partners." Though there have been plenty of previous study showing that people prefer partners with lower body counts, this new research not only adds significant caveats to that preference, but also included respondents around the globe, from Japan and Brazil to Australia and Slovakia. (Notably, it does not appear that any people from the continent of Africa were surveyed.) In sum, the study offers a novel and nuanced look into how people actually feel about their partners' body counts — and one that suggests that many people are less judgmental about sexual history than we've been led to believe. More on sex psychology: Scientists Identify Ideal Amount of Boinking for Maximum Mental Health Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
World's first sound-powered microscope sees 5x deeper into brain without altering cells
For decades, scientists have pushed the limits of microscopy to capture sharper and deeper views of the brain. Traditional light-based systems can map the cortex in detail but struggle to reach deeper regions like the hippocampus without losing resolution. The challenge is even greater when imaging molecular activity inside single cells, which is an essential step in understanding brain function and diseases. MIT scientists and engineers have now built a microscope that overcomes this barrier by combining ultrafast light pulses with sound detection. The system can image at depths more than five times greater than existing methods without using dyes, chemicals, or genetic modification. Researchers believe it could transform neuroscience research and surgical applications. Seeing deeper into the brain The study shows the system can detect NAD(P)H, a molecule linked to cell metabolism and neuronal activity, through dense brain samples. Tests included a 1.1 millimetre thick human stem cell-derived cerebral organoid and a 0.7 millimetre slice of mouse brain tissue. 'That's when we hit the glass on the other side,' said W. David Lee, the postdoctoral researcher who designed the system, explaining that the samples were not large enough to push the technology's true limits. The device uses a three-photon excitation method, firing ultrashort light bursts at triple the molecule's normal absorption wavelength. These longer wavelengths scatter less and penetrate deeper into tissue. Most of the absorbed energy creates a rapid, microscopic thermal expansion inside the cell, generating sound waves. A sensitive ultrasound microphone detects these waves, and software turns them into sharp images. This process is called three-photon photoacoustic imaging. Merging advanced imaging techniques The team combined three-photon excitation, photoacoustic detection, and label-free imaging into a platform they call 'Multiphoton-In and Acoustic-Out.' This setup allows precise molecular detection without altering the tissue. The system can also identify other molecules, such as GCaMP, a calcium indicator used to track neural activity. Additionally, 'third-harmonic generation' imaging maps cellular structures, giving structural and molecular detail in the same scan. Co-lead author Tatsuya Osaki from The Picower Institute said the aim was to combine advanced techniques into one efficient process. This capability could help study conditions where NAD(P)H levels change, including Alzheimer's disease, Rett syndrome, and seizures. Because it works without labels, it could also guide brain surgeries by mapping activity in real time. The next goal is to test the system in living animals. In this case, both the light source and microphone will need to be on the same side of the tissue instead of opposite sides. Lee expects the system could image up to 2 millimetres deep in live brains. 'In principle it should work,' he said. Lee's earlier work through Precision Healing Inc. showed that NAD(P)H imaging can guide wound treatment. Now, the same approach may prove valuable for neurosurgery and brain research. The project was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Simon Center for the Social Brain, The Picower Institute, and other sources. The study is published in the journal Light: Science and Applications. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trail cameras capture images of surprising newcomer near city swamp: 'We would never have known that otherwise'
Trail cameras capture images of surprising newcomer near city swamp: 'We would never have known that otherwise' People in Michigan's southern peninsula have a new neighbor this year: the black bear. According to Great Lakes Echo, trail cameras installed by Michigan State University's Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center have documented sightings of the creatures in the Lansing swamp area. Traditionally, black bears tended to stick to the Upper Peninsula. However, they've been spotted farther south over the last 15 years, believed to be caused by the Department of Natural Resources' limit on bear hunting licenses, according to Michigan Public. The photographs, captured in the summer of 2024, were first made public in April 2025. As reported by Great Lakes Echo, this is a sign of the bears' southern movement, with a DNR analysis showing a 37% increase in bears in the Lower Peninsula since 2012. Research center director Jen Owen said the photos reaffirmed her belief in tracking the bears' migration. "We should be monitoring all wildlife through these trail cameras because we never would have known that otherwise," Owen said, per Great Lakes Echo. Other organizations have had similar luck sighting animals with trail cameras, like a lynx in Colorado or an Allegheny woodrat in Appalachia. By tracking these animals' movements, researchers can ensure these species survive, creating a more diverse ecosystem we can rely on for food and materials. Wildlife officials consider the growing bear population on the southern peninsula positive. As reported by Michigan Public, DNR official Cody Norton said black bears are native to the state and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Michigan's DNR further explained that black bears help control insect and small animal populations, which can keep pests away. It added that their diet helps disperse seeds and return nutrients to the environment, improving the soil and natural beauty. While it's a plus that more black bears are around, residents should take some precautions to ensure peaceful coexistence. The state DNR released guidance suggesting that people remove bird feeders, secure trash, and keep other food sources away. However, black bears are not known for hurting humans. Catching a glimpse of one can be a unique experience — as long as you are a safe distance away and do not provoke it. For example, one resident was driving home from getting ice cream when she stopped to take pictures of a black bear near the road. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We were just kinda speechless and couldn't get over the fact we just saw a bear," she said, as reported by WLNS Lansing. Remember, during any wildlife sighting, keep your distance, and the animal will likely keep theirs. You can also do your part to protect wildlife by taking action at the local level. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
