AI unlocks the emotional language of animals Groundbreaking study shows machine learning can decode emotions in seven ungulate species. A game-changer for animal welfare? Can artificial intelligence help us understand what animals feel? A pioneering study suggests the answer is yes. Researchers have successfully trained a machine-learning model to distinguish between positive and negative emotions in seven different ungulate species, including cows, pigs, and wild boars. By analyzing the acoustic patterns of their vocalizations, the model achieved an impressive accuracy of 89.49%, marking the first cross-species study to detect emotional valence using AI.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/02/2502

Butterfly wings inspire new imaging technique for cancer diagnosis Using the microscopic structures found on the wings of the Morpho butterfly, researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to analyze cancer biopsy samples that could make cancer diagnosis faster, more accurate and more accessible worldwide.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/02/2502

10 new sponge species near Hawaii Biologists, using a technique that explores both genes and structural characteristics, have introduced 10 new species of marine sponge. Despite their distinction as one of Earth's oldest lifeforms and the key role they play in sustaining coral reef ecosystems, marine sponges are vastly understudied.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/02/2502

Predator robots help researchers uncover how larval zebrafish rapidly learn A novel system that chases larval zebrafish around an arena with predator robots is enabling scientists to understand how these days-old fish quickly learn in the real world.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/02/2502

Scientists decode DNA of white oak tree Highly valued economically, ecologically and culturally, the white oak (Quercus alba) is a keystone forest species and is one of the most abundant trees across much of eastern North America. It also faces declining seedling recruitment in many parts of its range. Researchers describe the species' complex genome, providing insights into fundamental questions about plant evolution, tree breeding and genetic improvement efforts that could help forest managers plan for and address future forest resources.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/02/2502