ICARUS is revolutionizing wildlife tracking from space

The ICARUS Initiative is aimed at monitoring animals worldwide to protect species and better understand ecological and environmental interactions. The Max Planck Institute project has already saved endangered wild dogs in South Africa’s Kruger National Park by triggering alarms when animals were caught in poachers’ traps.

ICARUS launched in 2018 with an antenna installation on the Russian module of the International Space Station. But when the war in Ukraine began, the data flow stopped. The solution? Replace the single antenna on the ISS with microsatellites developed by startup Talos—compact, scalable and cheaper than the existing system. With global coverage from pole to pole, the satellites can map migration routes of birds, bats, marine reptiles and land mammals worldwide. Tens of thousands of animals have so far been fitted with mini transmitters.

 

Animal kingdom surprise: Same-sex behavior is common

In water, in the air or on land—many animals display a range of same-sex behaviors. Scientists explain social bonds, pleasure, and survival advantages across 1,500+ species, from dolphins to birds.

Same-sex behavior among animals has been observed for centuries and is far more common than you might think. Scientists estimate it occurs in over 1,500 species worldwide. Research shows it can support social bonding, reduce conflict and, in some cases, possibly even indirectly aid reproduction. From dolphins and lions to birds forming same-sex pairs, these behaviors play diverse roles in animal societies and may offer evolutionary advantages.

 

Swiss zoo brings Australian bioluminescence to Europe

A Swiss zoo is breeding bioluminescent glowworms from Australia to showcase their natural light. At Walter Zoo, larvae from a fungus gnat are raised carefully by hand, replicating the right environmental conditions to get them to spin threads and glow in the dark. The long-term goal is a unique cave exhibit involving tens of thousands of glowworms. Strict safety checks ensure the non-native species poses no risk to local ecosystems in Switzerland.

 

Hungry bumblebees can make plants bloom earlier

Bumblebees analyze flowers for nectar and pollen and can even trigger early blooming. By taking bites from a plant’s leaves, the insects encourage flowering – a sound survival strategy in times of climate change.

 

Scientists trap the truth: Insect populations still falling

Scientists at the Krefeld Entomological Society are tracking insect decline in Germany using standardized traps in nature reserves. Their long-term research shows that flying insect biomass has fallen by more than 75% over three decades. Expanded monitoring across 600 sites suggests declines are continuing, with seasonal peaks shifting earlier. The loss of insect biomass threatens biodiversity and ecosystem balance, and researchers warn that conservation efforts and EU environmental targets are not on track.

 

Mosquito mating secrets: Why females say ‘yes’ only once

Mosquito females mate only once, then reject other male advances. Leslie Vosshall’s team used high-speed cameras and colored sperm to uncover this surprising behavior.

 

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