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stephen beech

MIT study finds plants can hear rain, and it makes them grow faster

MIT study finds plants can hear rain, and it makes them grow faster

By Stephen Beech Plants can sense the sound of rain, suggests a new study. Rice seeds sprouted faster to the sound of rainfall in a series of experiments by American scientists. They found that the sound of falling droplets effectively shook the seeds out of a dormant state, stimulating them

Monkeys ‘self-medicate’ to help them digest tourists’ junk food

Monkeys ‘self-medicate’ to help them digest tourists’ junk food

By Stephen Beech Gibraltar's monkeys "self-medicate" to help them digest tourists' junk food, reveals new research. Troops of macaques living on the Mediterranean holiday hotspot have learned that swallowing soil can quell upset stomachs caused by munching chips, chocolate and ice cream. The only

Want to be closer to your dog? Study says play more

Want to be closer to your dog? Study says play more

By Stephen Beech Dog owners who spend longer playing create a stronger emotional bond with their pet, reveals new research. But training dogs does not produce the same effect, according to the Swedish study. Scientists say their findings are relevant for all dog owners — whether they have young or adult

Life on Mars? NASA found something that may indicate just that

Life on Mars? NASA found something that may indicate just that

By Stephen Beech NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has discovered never-before-seen organic compounds that may indicate there was once life on the red planet. The nuclear-powered robot uncovered a diverse mix of organic molecules — including chemicals widely considered building blocks for the origin of life on

Are AI voices easier to understand than humans?

Are AI voices easier to understand than humans?

By Stephen Beech AI voice clones are easier to understand than humans, according to a new study. Voice clones can recreate a person's speech using just a few seconds of recorded speech. Researchers found the AI copy is more intelligible in noisy environments, but they are unsure why.

Cocaine contaminated water makes salmon swim faster: study

Cocaine contaminated water makes salmon swim faster: study

By Stephen Beech Salmon are being driven wild by cocaine, reveals new research. Traces of the illicit drug in their natural environment change how fish move, say scientists. Juvenile Atlantic salmon swam farther and dispersed more widely as a result of exposure to narcotics, according to the findings. The study,

Excessive napping linked to higher death rates in seniors

Excessive napping linked to higher death rates in seniors

By Stephen Beech Excessive napping may be a warning sign of potentially deadly underlying health conditions in older people, according to new research. Seniors who are prone to dozing off — especially in the morning — are closer to dying than other senior citizens, suggests the study. But the findings represent an