Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels – and the problem begins in childhood

While reading, scrolling and focusing on other objects near our faces increase the risk of developing myopia, a little time outdoors in the sun can help mitigate it.

Andrew Herbert, Professor of Psychology, Visual Perception, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
April 24, 2024 ~7 min

Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know

Typically, cataract surgeries are painless and significantly restore vision.

Elizabeth M. Hofmeister, Associate Professor of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences • conversation
March 20, 2024 ~9 min


Total solar eclipses, while stunning, can damage your eyes if viewed without the right protection

Now’s the time to get your hands on a pair of eclipse glasses in preparation for April’s display of celestial wonder.

Geoffrey Bradford, Professor of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, West Virginia University • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~6 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

Animals see the world in different colours than humans – new camera reveals what this looks like

Humans can’t see ultraviolet light – but lots of other animals can.

Daniel Hanley, Assistant Professor, George Mason University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2024 ~7 min

Do you hear what I see? How blindness changes how you process the sound of movement

Detecting and tracking motion is key to survival. The ability to extract auditory information from a noisy environment changes when your brain isn’t wired to rely on vision.

Woon Ju Park, Research Scientist, University of Washington • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 ~7 min

How ducks, geese and swans see the world – and why this puts them at risk in a changing environment

Our airspace has only started to become cluttered recently – many birds are struggling to navigate through it.

Jenny Cantlay, PhD Candidate in Avian Sensory Ecology, Royal Holloway University of London • conversation
Sept. 22, 2023 ~7 min

Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here's a look at how they navigate the world

Scientists are learning amazing things about bees’ sensory perception and mental capabilities.

Stephen Buchmann, Adjunct Professor of Entomology and of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona • conversation
May 17, 2023 ~9 min


Can rainbows form in a circle? Fun facts on the physics of rainbows

Each rainbow is personal – the rainbow you see isn’t exactly the same rainbow the next person sees. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Partha Chowdhury, Professor of Physics, UMass Lowell • conversation
April 24, 2023 ~6 min

Reindeer eyes change color, putting Rudolph's red nose in the shade – new research podcast

In winter, light in the northern latitudes is dim and very blue compared to summer light. Reindeer eyes have evolved to be better suited at seeing in this unique environment.

Daniel Merino, Associate Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Dec. 21, 2022 ~3 min

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