In 2011, researchers observed a previously unknown feeding strategy in whales, now called tread-water feeding or trap-feeding. It was thought to be a new technique developed by specific whale communities. Trap-feeding is…
Month: February 2023
Eating disorders are deadly: What are they, who’s at risk, and what can be done about it
More than 100,000 Canadians are diagnosed with an eating disorder every year. (Shutterstock) Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are serious health risks, and can be…
When should we worry about bird flu making us sick? When we see human-to-human transmission – and there’s no evidence of that yet
Bird flu has been causing growing concern in recent months, with hundreds of millions of birds dying of the virus since October 2021. This is the largest global outbreak. Last week, an…
ChatGPT killed the student essay? Philosophers call bullshit
Since ChatGPT was released, many commentators are sounding the alarm about an artificial intelligence (AI) takeover, suggesting that professors will soon be out of a job, or that the student essay is…
how environmental reforms ignore First Nations knowledge
The Albanese government is embarking on a suite of environmental reforms: beefing up Australia’s carbon credit scheme, and establishing a market to fund environmental restoration. These big policy changes may seek to…
Extinct elephant birds were 3 metres tall and weighed 700kg. Now, DNA from fossil eggshells reveals how they lived
Madagascar’s extinct elephant birds – the largest birds ever to have lived – have captured public interest for hundreds of years. Little is known about them due to large gaps in the…
why St David’s advice is good for your mental health
Gwnewch y pethau bychain or “do the little things” is a saying attributed to St David, the patron saint of Wales. But what relevance does the advice of a sixth century monk…
Working women in South Africa proved their resilience during COVID
One of the outcomes of the COVID pandemic is that people’s working lives have changed. Working at home and hybrid work have become prevalent, after constantly changing government rules and guidelines. Globally,…
30 years later, Waco siege still resonates – especially among anti-government extremists
Feb. 28, 2023, marks 30 years since the beginning of the Waco siege, the confrontation at a Texas compound that killed around 80 members of the Branch Davidian religious community and four…
Why the pronouns used for God matter
The Church of England is considering what language and pronouns should be used to refer to God. The church’s General Synod has, however, clarified that it will not abolish or substantially revise…