University of Exeter

2026-10-03 @ 11.51.09 ∈ In English

Butterflies use optical illusions to dodge predators

[A new study] helps solve a long-standing puzzle; butterflies have striking patterns that make them stand out, yet remarkably few predators specialise in catching them mid-flight. [Motion illusion patterns were found to be widespread among around 400 European butterflies that the study looked at.]

2026-06-14 @ 15.50.32 ∈ In English

Dragonfly and damselfly migrations crisscross planet, with 100 species confirmed

[Only] 1.5% of all dragonfly and damselfly species migrate (or 2.9% including possible migrants)—but the migrations can include millions of individuals, and some travel thousands of kilometers.

2025-11-12 @ 16.37.37 ∈ In English

Shouting at seagulls could stop them stealing your food, research shows

Shouting at seagulls makes them more likely to leave your food alone, research shows. The paper, “Herring gulls respond to the acoustic properties of men’s voices,” is published in Biology Letters.

2025-04-21 @ 14.00.16 ∈ In English

More ticks carry Lyme disease bacteria in pheasant-release areas, research shows

Researchers studied ticks in 25 woodland areas in South West England where pheasants are released—and 25 nearby control sites where no pheasants are released. They found that Borrelia spp.—the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease—was almost 2.5 times more common in ticks in the pheasant-release areas.

2024-01-18 @ 11.56.28 ∈ In English

(TIL: Word-initial ff)

Butterflies could lose spots as climate warms

[New] study shows the eyespot variation is caused by thermal plasticity (the ability to react to changing temperatures) [instead of genetic polymorphism (the co-existence of multiple genetic forms in a single population)."

2023-10-05 @ 15.06.49 ∈ In English

(The paper has video.)

Bumble bees drop to shake off Asian hornets

Bumble bees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows. When attacked, buff-tailed bumble bees drop to the ground—taking the hornets down with them. This either causes the hornet to lose its grip, or the bee raises its sting and tussles until the hornet gives up.

2019-10-10 @ 21.20.53 ∈ Suomeksi

Valosaastetta avaruusasemalta kartoittava projekti hakee vapaaehtoisapua

Vapaaehtoisten tutkittavina Lost at Night eli "Eksyksissä yöllä" -projektissa on noin miljoona astronauttien ottamaa värikuvaa. […] Projektin sivustolla kuka tahansa pystyy tekemään tunnistusta.