Tag

Bats

All articles tagged with #bats

world20 days ago•6 min saved

Nipah virus cases in West Bengal spark cautious global health watch

Two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, India have triggered cautious monitoring: Nipah is a deadly zoonotic virus carried by fruit bats and can spread to people via contaminated products or close contact, but the WHO currently sees low national/global risk; there is no approved vaccine yet, though vaccines and antibody trials are underway; outbreaks are seasonal and linked to bat behavior and habitat loss, and prevention emphasizes avoiding bat exposure, boiling raw date palm sap, and strict biosecurity and PPE, with the current cases contained through rapid tracing and isolation.

via MedicalNewsToday|

#bats #india #nipah-virus

science25 days ago•2 min saved

Texas Bat Breaks Level-Flight Speed Record at 100 mph

Researchers tracking a Brazilian free-tailed bat in Texas found it can reach up to 100 mph in level flight, making it the fastest flying mammal and faster than swift or albatross in straight-line flight. Using a radio tag and a Cessna following the bat, they observed wind-driven speed adjustments and pauses that indicate occasional gliding, challenging the view that bats are aerodynamically inferior.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#bats #brazilian-free-tailed-bat #flight-speed

health1 month ago•16 min saved

Tennessee Faces a Deadly Histoplasmosis Cluster Tied to Bat-Soiled Soil

Health officials in middle Tennessee report at least 36 histoplasmosis cases since last fall, with a possible related death; the source hasn’t been identified. Histoplasmosis is caused by inhaling Histoplasma spores found in soil rich with bird or bat droppings, and it’s not transmitted person-to-person. The cluster has prompted warnings for clinicians to consider histoplasmosis in patients with unexplained fever or respiratory illness, with past outbreaks linked to bat caves and bat guano use; investigators are continuing to search for the source.

via gizmodo.com|

#bats #fungus #health

science1 month ago•15 min saved

Bats on a Remote Island Reveal Real-World Brain Compass

Researchers tracked brain activity of Egyptian fruit bats on a remote island to understand how head-direction cells form an internal compass. Using implanted microwires and wireless recording, the team found that, as the bats learned the island, their head-direction cells stabilized to precise directions anchored to landmarks, supporting a global compass model tied to the environment rather than magnetic or celestial cues. The work highlights the value of wild, real-world studies for navigation research and suggests humans may share a similar directional system.

via Quanta Magazine|

#bats #head-direction-cells #naturalistic-experiment

environment1 month ago•1 min saved

North London's Bat Woman Describes Otherworldly Encounters

Cindy Blaney, a senior ranger and bat expert in Highgate Wood, North London, shares her passion for bats through night walks and surveys, highlighting their often-misunderstood role in the ecosystem and her efforts to study and protect them.

via The New York Times|

#bats #conservation #environment

environment1 month ago•2 min saved

Researchers Warn of Unintended Effects of City Lights on Human Behavior

A study reveals that artificial city lights cause bats to take longer, energy-expensive detours to avoid illuminated areas, highlighting the negative impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife and emphasizing the need for reducing artificial lighting in urban planning.

via The Cool Down|

#artificial-lighting #bats #environment

health3 months ago•2 min saved

Rising Rabies Cases in Southern California Bats Prompt Health Warnings

Health officials in Riverside County warn residents about an increase in rabid bats, urging caution, vaccination of pets, and immediate medical attention if bitten, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

via Patch|

#bats #health #public-health

science4 months ago•2 min saved

North American Bats Glow Green Under UV Light, Mystery Remains

A study from the University of Georgia found that several North American bat species naturally glow green under UV light, a trait likely inherited from a common ancestor, though its current function remains unknown.

via ScienceAlert|

#bats #bioluminescence #evolution

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Bats Capture and Consume Migratory Birds in Midair

Scientists captured a rare recording of Europe's largest bat species, the greater noctule, hunting, killing, and eating a robin mid-flight at high altitude, revealing a previously underestimated predatory behavior in bats. The study highlights the bat's stealth approach and ability to consume prey during flight, contributing to understanding of bat-bird interactions and natural predation.

via The Guardian|

#bats #bird-predation #europe

science4 months ago•0 min saved

Bats Hunt and Eat Birds Midair, Revealing a Fierce Predatory Behavior

Scientists have documented for the first time a bat, specifically the greater noctule bat in Europe, catching and eating a bird in midair during migration, revealing an unexpected predator of high-altitude migrating birds.

via The New York Times|

#bats #greater-noctule-bat #high-altitude

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Bats Hunt and Eat Birds Midair: New Evidence

Scientists used tiny backpacks with microphones and sensors to confirm that Europe's largest bat, the greater noctule, hunts and eats songbirds mid-flight, revealing a fighter jet-like pursuit behavior and providing insights into their feeding habits and conservation needs.

via The Times|

#bats #bird-hunting #noctule

science5 months ago•5 min saved

Top Animal with the Sharpest Hearing

The article explores animals with exceptional hearing capabilities, highlighting bats and wax moths for high-frequency detection, barn owls for precise prey localization, dolphins and bats for echolocation, and pinnipeds for hearing both above and below water, emphasizing the diversity and specialization of animal auditory systems.

via Live Science|

#animal-hearing #bats #dolphins

environment6 months ago•4 min saved

White-nose Disease Fatal to Bats at Libby Dam

A colony of bats near Libby Dam in Montana tested positive for white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. While no symptoms were observed yet, the detection raises concerns about the disease's spread and impact on local ecosystems and agriculture. Efforts including monitoring, research, and vaccination are underway to contain the disease and protect bat populations.

via Daily Inter Lake|

#bats #conservation #disease-spread

healthcare6 months ago•4 min saved

Maine Med Tackles Bat Issue in NICU

Maine Medical Center in Portland is addressing bat incursions into its neonatal intensive care unit, with efforts including facade replacement and pest control measures following multiple sightings and an OSHA complaint, while ensuring patient safety and testing bats for rabies.

via The Portland Press Herald|

#bats #healthcare #hospital-safety

health6 months ago•3 min saved

Potential Rabies Exposure at Grand Teton National Park Due to Bat Colony

Health officials are alerting hundreds of visitors who stayed in bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, about potential rabies exposure after dead bats were found, though tests so far have been negative. The cabins have been closed since July, and authorities are recommending prophylactic treatment for those who may have been exposed, especially children and deep sleepers. No plans are in place to exterminate the bats, which are common in the area.

via CBS News|

#bats #exposure #grand-teton-national-park