Dutch tulip fields are being looked after by an AI robot
Though the rise of Artificial Intelligence is fuelling paranoia amongst some, this rapidly evolving technology is being used in unique and helpful ways – including in The Netherlands’ many tulip fields. The arrival of spring is an exciting time for us sun-deprived humans, but also for nature, which blossoms into...
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Is it time to reconsider how we feel about seagulls?
From overfishing to biodiversity loss, the seagull population is dwindling. Scientists are urging us to live alongside them, rather than shunning them as pests. If you live in the UK, it’s likely you’ve had at least one altercation with a seagull. Members of a larger family of seabirds, they’re most...
NHS doctor facing backlash online following Easter egg health warning
As many of us don’t realise that just one of the chocolate treats contains about three-quarters of an adult’s recommended daily calorie intake, Dr Andrew Kelso is urging people not to eat the whole thing in a single sitting. Social media users are voicing their refusal to take his...
Banana prices to go up as global temperature increases
Top experts say that bananas are likely to become more expensive as climate change and increased temperatures affect supply chains. Bad news for banana lovers this week. Pascal Liu, senior economist at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, has said that climate change is an ‘enormous threat’ to banana supplies....
Scientists call for greater emoji biodiversity
Emojis are now such a key part of our language that ecologists from the University of Milan believe more variation could help generate interest in lesser-known organisms - and encourage conversations around conservation. A team of ecologists from the University of Milan recently conducted the world’s most comprehensive survey on...
French top-flight football league to be renamed ‘Ligue 1 McDonald’s’
Its five-year sponsorship with Uber Eats is almost over. Next season, the top-flight of French football will be officially known as Ligue 1 McDonald’s. This is about to bring a whole new layer to the farmers’ league jokes. Following the end of its five-year sponsorship with Uber Eats, France’s top-flight domestic...
Why can nobody recognise this lost 1980s song?
A mysterious song snippet has been making the rounds online. Nobody seems to recognise the track or its origin. What gives? Despite the internet’s best efforts, it seems nobody can identify a mysterious 17 second song snippet that was uploaded to WatZatSong by a user called Carl92 in 2021. The ongoing effort to track down the artist and identify the song name has been extensive, with various niche 80s artists...
Willy Wonka-inspired Glasgow experience scam shows danger of AI
An ‘immersive’ Glasgow adventure day based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been described as a scam, after ticket-goers complained of a lacklustre experience. It’s an example of how unchecked AI advertisements can lead to serious product misrepresentation. Nearly everyone has seen or read the classic tale of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Written by Roald Dahl in 1964 and later adapted into several films starring Gene Wilder and...
This giant ancient ape became extinct because of climate change
An ancient species of great ape, named Gigantopithecus blacki, was driven to extinction hundreds of thousands of years ago. Scientists believe climate change is mostly to blame for putting the giants’ favourite fruits out of reach during dry seasons. Between witnessing entire regions becoming upended by extreme weather and warnings of impending, irreversible changes from eco scientists, we’re hardly lacking for reasons to mitigate climate change. Nevertheless, here’s another for...
Chicken clucks allow us to identify their emotional state
Scientists have uncovered that a person can identify with 69 per cent accuracy if a call is from a happy or frustrated bird, which could help breeders improve the welfare of their flocks. According to a new study, people can tell if chickens are happy or frustrated from audio cues. It found that humans are surprisingly good at discerning the bird’s calls, able to identify with 69...
