Latest news with #Science
ABC News
3 hours ago
- Science
- ABC News
Dr Ann's Secret Lives: S1 Episode 1 Bull Sharks
Dr Ann's Secret Lives ALL EPISODES Science Animals Informative Watch Article share options Share this on Facebook Twitter Send this by Email Copy link WhatsApp Messenger ABC's beloved nature nerd, Dr Ann gets hands on as she joins scientists researching some of the world's most elusive and sometimes dangerous animals, all in a bid to uncover their secrets.
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Elephants use gestures intentionally — just like humans, new evidence shows
For the first time, researchers have collected evidence that African elephants intentionally and creatively use gestures to signal what they want — a method of communication associated with human language. The team found that elephants can recognize when someone is paying attention or not, persist with gesturing when their desire is only partially filled, and make their gesturing more elaborate when their first attempts are unsuccessful, according to a study published July 9 in the journal Royal Society Open Science. These are the main criteria for a behavior called 'goal-directed intentionality,' and, outside of human communication, it has only been widely documented in primates, with some individual exceptions in non-primate species, according to the study. The study was conducted using semi-captive elephants on reserves in the in Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe. During the experiment, researchers put a desirable item — a tray full of apples — and a non-desirable item — an empty tray — just out of reach of 17 elephants, creating a scenario in which they can gesture to a human to request the desired item, referred to as their goal. The team documented 38 unique gestures used by the elephants. They did not waste their time gesturing when it appeared the researchers were not paying attention, and their gestures were directed only at the tray full of apples. One of the most interesting findings is that elephants pivoted their approach when they weren't 100% successful. Researcher Vesta Eleuteri told Science some elephants got 'insanely creative' with their gestures when experimenters only gave them a portion of what they wanted, saying one threw sand, another drummed on the ground with a stick, and a third blew a leaf into the air with his truck. This demonstrates their ability to adapt their communication strategy and recognize when a previous tactic wasn't quite working. Future studies should explore whether free-ranging elephants gesture intentionally to each other to communicate in the same way, researchers said. The research team included Vesta Eleuteri, Lucy Bates, Yvonne Nyaradzo Masarira, Joshua M. Plotnik, Catherine Hobaiter and Angela S. Stoeger.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Repurposing ICE cars to EVs
KUALA LUMPUR: Converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs) could provide Malaysia with a powerful alternative path to green mobility while unlocking thousands of skilled jobs across the automotive ecosystem. NanoMalaysia Bhd chief executive officer Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad said the retrofitting approach, spearheaded under the company's Revive programme, presents a compelling case for affordability, socio-economic impact and technological self-reliance. "Research has done it and has proven time and time again that the cost of conversion is cheaper. "It provides an alternative and more cost-effective path to electrification and ownership, 60 per cent of that is buying a new, fully assembled, manufactured car. He said this greatly reduces the entry barrier for ordinary Malaysians looking to switch to EVs, especially as current prices remain unaffordable for ma Rather than relying solely on the sale of fully manufactured EVs, NanoMalaysia's strategy targets the vast number of older, structurally sound ICE vehicles on the road. By removing the engine and fuel tank and replacing them with an electric motor and battery system, these vehicles can be revived and repurposed to operate on clean energy. "When you allow for conversion to take place, for example, in Malaysia, it allows the workforce in Malaysia to participate in that migration from the traditional car to EV. "This creates job opportunities for technicians, mechanics and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates. It also creates jobs for the future, which allow for them to not become just drivers of EVs, but they can actually change and convert. "It will provide employment opportunities, skills and hands-on opportunities for those who are pretty much hands-on," Rezal said in an exclusive interview. He said the process would demand new skill sets in battery installation, wiring, electric motor integration and system diagnostics, positioning Malaysia to develop a new class of green-collar workers. Yielding Results The Revive programme, which catalysed the development of a comprehensive EV conversion white paper, is yielding results. NanoMalaysia said it had converted two buses under the eMERGE initiative, funded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and is working to finalise road certification with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Transport Ministry. "That is an example of how we align to our Revive goal, which allows us to validate and demonstrate the conversion from diesel engine to EV. We have those two buses donated from Prasarana," said Rezal. Rezal said several stakeholders are working together to establish standards and safety protocols to ensure Malaysia aligns with global best practices. "At present, there are no universal standards for EV conversions. Each country, whether Thailand, Indonesia, the US, UK or China, has developed its own version of standards and complies accordingly. "One thing is certain: we must ensure electrical safety. All components must be properly insulated, and passengers must be fully protected from any electrical systems. "In the Malaysian context, we also have to consider challenges like flooding. Whatever we develop must be flood-resistant. These are among the key factors we need to localise," he said. Despite technical progress, Rezal said full-scale deployment hinges on regulatory green lights. "We have submitted the white paper, proven the technology and engaged stakeholders. Now we are waiting for JPJ and the Transport Ministry to finalise approval to make conversions road-legal," he added. Once legalised, insurance companies will also need to come on board to support vehicle coverage and ensure public confidence in safety standards. Rezal said the model aligns with Malaysia's broader green agenda, including commitments under COP26 to reduce carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Support System To support the transition, NanoMalaysia is pushing for public-private partnerships and potential incentives, similar to what Indonesia has done, to encourage adoption. "If conversion kits are incentivised, it would help accelerate the shift. The government has a role to play here," he said. Globally, countries like Japan, France and Kenya have already embraced EV conversions as a viable strategy. Thailand and Indonesia have also legalised retrofitting, showing how developing nations can leapfrog into the EV space without heavy reliance on imported, fully-built EVs. Rezal explained that in Kenya, where there is strong support for EV retrofitting, studies have shown that the total cost of owning and operating a converted EV, from diesel or petrol to electric, is about US$0.25 per kilometre for four-wheelers. In comparison, running a newly-purchased EV costs around US$0.30 per kilometer, giving retrofitted vehicles a five-cent advantage. He added that countries like the United States have legalised EV conversions, but primarily for niche applications driven by private investment. So while it is permitted, it remains limited in scope. "Japan has officially legislated EV conversions, and even original equipment manufacturers like Toyota now offer ready-made kits that can be purchased off the shelf. "Instead of buying a brand-new EV from Toyota or Honda, consumers can opt for these kits to convert their existing vehicles. This approach is seen as a key pillar in the broader push for vehicle electrification," he said. Rezal explained that the philosophy behind this is rooted in the 'people, planet, profit' framework, ensuring not just profitability, but also accessibility. "France has also adopted this approach, and among our regional neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand have already begun implementing similar initiatives. In Malaysia, we are pushing forward aggressively because we see a real opportunity to lead in this space." However, Rezal said Malaysia has a competitive edge in terms of technology. "Other countries are buying components entirely from China. In our case, we are building Malaysian-made batteries, electronics and cooling systems. We may still import some motors, but we are pushing for localisation across the board," he said. This opens doors not only for domestic market transformation but also for export opportunities. "We hope our kits, built with local components, can be sold to other Asean countries and potentially beyond. But first, we must focus on making it work here in Malaysia," he added.
Business Wire
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Zhejiang Qingshanhu Science & Technology City Administration Committee Hosts China-Kazakhstan Sci-Tech Cooperation Symposium
BUSINESS WIRE)--Recently, the International Seminar on Industry-Education Integration and Sustainable Development of the National Academy of Sciences directly under the President of Kazakhstan, hosted by the Zhejiang Qingshanhu Science & Technology City Administration Committee, was held at the Qingshanhu Park of Zhejiang Zhonghe Technology in Qingshanhu Science & Technology City, Hangzhou, China. Guided by the cooperation blueprint outlined at the first China–Central Asia Summit in 2023, China and Kazakhstan are accelerating practical cooperation across multiple fields, including science and technology. At the symposium, representatives from both China and Kazakhstan held in-depth discussions on topics such as policy orientation, industrial demand, educational resource integration, and intelligent transportation. Akylbek Kurishbayev, President of the National Academy of Sciences directly under the President of Kazakhstan, introduced in detail the Spatial-Temporal Intelligence Laboratory, which was jointly established in February 2025 with Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhonghe Technology, and other institutions. The laboratory adopts an integrated industry–academia–research–application model, focusing on the research and development of key technologies including intelligent early warning, smart agriculture, intelligent logistics, and new energy. It also aims to jointly cultivate digital professionals in collaboration with several universities in Kazakhstan. As part of this initiative, an unveiling ceremony for the Strategic Partner of the International College of Low-Altitude Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was held, marking a commitment to building a strong talent pipeline for the lab's future development. As the birthplace of the Hangzhou West Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor and the main platform of Lin'an District's 'industry-strengthening' strategy, Qingshanhu Science & Technology City has been actively advancing the integrated development of strategic emerging industries focused on new equipment, new materials, and big health. It is seizing new opportunities in the intelligent robotics sector while continuously optimizing its innovation and entrepreneurship policies and financial service infrastructure. The city has already attracted 31 research institutes, 6 national key laboratories, 511 enterprises above designated size, and 522 nationally recognized high-tech enterprises.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth is about to break its own speed record—here's why
The Earth is pretty good at keeping its pace. However, variations do happen. And on three separate days this summer—July 9, July 22, and August 5—the Earth will spin notably faster than usual. What is fractional leadership, and why is it booming now? It's not just Bitcoin: Altcoin XRP's price is also rising. Here's a possible reason why Slurpee Day 2025: How to get your free frozen treat at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes today Of course, you're not likely to feel dizzy or notice the shift at all, but scientists are well aware of it. They say that over a 24-hour period, the Earth's rotation will take a few milliseconds less than it usually does—about 1.3 to 1.51 milliseconds less, to be exact. It's faster than the blink of an eye or a heartbeat, but it's significant, either way. Twenty-four hours (86,400 seconds), or a full day, is the time it takes for the Earth to rotate fully on its axis. That exact rotation speed depends on a number of factors, including the Earth's mass, as well as its distance from the moon. With the moon closer to the poles, the Earth's spin speeds up. On the days the Earth's rotation is set to speed up, the moon will be at its farthest distance from Earth's equator, altering the impact of its gravitational pull on Earth's axis. Richard Holme, a geophysicist at the University of Liverpool, said, per Live Science: 'There is more land in the Northern Hemisphere than the Southern. In northern summer, the trees get leaves. This means that mass is moved from the ground to above the ground—farther away from the Earth's spin axis.' Thus, it will spin faster. Interestingly, while the Earth had been gradually speeding up on the regular, climate change has impacted the Earth's rotation in a major way. It's actually caused it to slow down. A 2024 study published in Nature pointed to the melting of the polar ice caps as a significant factor in the Earth's decelerated pace. At the time, professor Duncan Agnew of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the author of the study, explained the phenomenon by using the example of a skater spinning on ice. 'If they hold their arms out, their spinning is slower. But if they bring [their arms] into their body, then they speed up. This demonstrates the conservation of angular momentum, a principle which applies to all spinning objects, including the Earth.' Agnew continued: 'As polar ice melts, the water spreads out over the whole ocean, causing the same effect as the skater spreading their arms out—the Earth slows down. More rapid melting would slow the Earth more rapidly, opposing the speedup that has been seen in recent years.' Experts began measuring the speed at which the Earth rotates in the 1950s. While variations in speed are not uncommon, the shortest day ever recorded happened just last year on July 5, 2024. On that day, the Earth completed its full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual. Experts believe July 9, 2025, may break the previously set record. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
