How studying (robot) pigeon navigation changed my mind about their intellect

A scientist who wanted to show pigeons don’t need intellect to navigate was surprised by nuances in his own study findings.

Edwin Dalmaijer, Lecturer in Psychological Science, University of Bristol • conversation
June 6, 2024 ~7 min

Fruit fly testes enzyme could stymie harmful pests

An enzyme found in fruit fly testes could control bugs that carry disease and harm crops by stunting their ability to procreate.

Roberto Molar Candanosa-Johns Hopkins • futurity
May 14, 2024 ~5 min


Human brains and fruit fly brains are built similarly – visualizing how helps researchers better understand how both work

Studying the human brain is difficult because of its vast and intricate network of neural connections. The fruit fly offers a simpler but similar model that researchers can more easily map.

Kristin Scaplen, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Bryant University • conversation
April 15, 2024 ~5 min

How do airplanes fly? An aerospace engineer explains the physics of flight

People have been flying airplanes for well over a century. Engineers know how to balance all the forces at play, but still aren’t exactly sure how some of the physics of flight actually works.

Craig Merrett, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Clarkson University • conversation
March 18, 2024 ~8 min

Robber flies track their beetle prey using tiny microbursts of movement

Not much is known about the predator fly Laphria saffrana. New research identified how they count the wingbeats of their favored prey, letting it slip out of focus before adjusting their heads.

Siddhant Pusdekar, Graduate Researcher in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota • conversation
March 5, 2024 ~7 min

How fruit fly brains steer in the right direction

"By studying the fly brain, we have provided an initial glimpse into how a simple 'thought' is converted into an action."

Katherine Fenz-Rockefeller • futurity
Feb. 8, 2024 ~6 min

Why the world's first flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel is a green mirage

A flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel is making a trip across the Atlantic. But is it really a greener way to fly?

Josh Moos, Lecturer in Economics and Politics, Leeds Beckett University • conversation
Nov. 28, 2023 ~9 min

It's time to limit how often we can travel abroad – 'carbon passports' may be the answer

The clock could be ticking for the travel industry unless action is taken to change our travel habits.

Ross Bennett-Cook, Visiting Lecturer, School of Architecture + Cities, University of Westminster • conversation
Nov. 3, 2023 ~8 min


How do flies find every stinky garbage dumpster? A biologist explains their sensory superpower

Flies often beat out competitors for food because of their specialized sensing organs called antennae.

Christine Picard, Associate Professor of Biology, Indiana University • conversation
Sept. 4, 2023 ~6 min

Pulverised fuel ash: how we can recycle the dirty byproduct from coal-fired power stations

Pulverised fuel ash can be recycled and used to manufacture concrete as well as other products.

Jonathan Oti, Associate Professor at the Advanced Materials Testing Centre (AMTeC), University of South Wales • conversation
Sept. 1, 2023 ~5 min

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