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Check FAQAbout Karen
Freelance journalist: science, culture, technology, travel, education & personal essays for National Geographic, SmithsonianMag, Aeon, GOOD, Discover, BBC Wildlife, Psychologies, Huck, Matador Network and more. Digital media professional: video, photography and web. I am location independent and work for publications internationally. BA (hons.) Fine Art, MLitt in Writing (Distinction) and CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). I have regional expertise within Scotland, UK, Spain and South America.
Portfolio
Can other species learn ‘foreign languages’?
Researchers from the Universities of Zurich and York discovered that chimpanzees can adapt their food grunts to sound like those of other groups, challenging previous beliefs about their language capabilities. This was observed when chimpanzees from the Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands moved to Edinburgh Zoo, leading to a convergence of their food grunts over three years, facilitated by strong intergroup friendships.
Can other species learn ‘foreign languages’?
Researchers from the Universities of Zurich and York discovered that chimpanzees can adapt their food grunts to sound like those of new peers, challenging previous beliefs that their vocalizations were fixed. This was observed when Dutch chimpanzees at Beekse Bergen Safari Park moved to Edinburgh Zoo and, over three years, their grunts for specific foods, such as 'apple,' became recognizable to both groups, indicating a form of language learning.
Committed to Diversity
Pfizer is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce, emphasizing the importance of diverse hiring practices and creating inclusive environments. Principal scientist Caroline Blakemore and senior principal scientist Michael Green highlight the company's efforts in outreach, mentorship, and advocacy. Resource groups like the Global Asian Alliance, Global Black Community, and Out Pfizer Employee Network play a crucial role in supporting underrepresented employees. Charlotte Allerton, head of medicine design, underscores the significance of equal opportunity and the need for a culture where all voices are heard and valued.
Marking 100 Years of Excellence in Chemistry
The College of Chemistry at Nankai University (NKCC) celebrates its centennial, highlighting its historical contributions and recent advancements in chemistry. NKCC's research spans critical areas such as carbon neutralization, clean energy, and disease prevention. Notable achievements include the synthesis of a chiral spirocyclic catalyst and the development of environmentally friendly pesticides. The institution emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and global partnerships, positioning itself as a leading international hub for chemistry excellence.
National Geographic Society funds the best and brightest individuals
National Geographic Society supports individuals dedicated to scientific discovery, exploration, education, and storytelling, aiming to illuminate and protect the world's wonders. National Geographic Explorers continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, uncovering new insights about the natural and cultural worlds, and strengthening connections among people.
Do bats touch anything during flight?
A recent study by a joint team from Columbia and Johns Hopkins Universities has discovered that bats use touch, in addition to hearing and vision, to navigate during flight. Sensory receptors in their wings provide tactile feedback, allowing them to perform complex maneuvers without collisions. Neurons in their brains respond to airflow and touch signals, enabling rapid adjustments in wing position for optimized flight control. The unique distribution of hair follicles and touch-sensitive receptors in bat wings helps detect changes in wind direction or turbulence.
How did herbivore dinosaurs get enough food?
Millions of years ago, multiple species of gigantic herbivorous dinosaurs co-existed even in harsh environments. Researchers from Bristol University’s School of Earth Sciences and the Natural History Museum suggest that these dinosaurs evolved specific skull and jaw adaptations to optimize their diets, reducing competition for the same plant material. For instance, Camarasaurus had a strong jaw for tough leaves and branches, while Diplodocus had a delicate skull suited for ferns and soft leaves.
Why do cats pounce?
Cats use energy-efficient hunting techniques such as sitting, waiting, stalking, and pouncing to conserve energy. Research by the University of California using high-tech collars on wild mountain lions revealed that these cats adjust their pounce power based on prey size and conserve energy for bursts of speed due to their slow walking pace.
Teaching Robots Manners
Robots are becoming more capable, but their interactions with humans often lack social grace. At the ACM/IEEE Human-Robot Interaction conference, Google DeepMind proposed using large language models (LLMs) to improve robots' social behaviors. This approach, called Generative Expressive Motion (GenEM), translates human instructions into robot actions, allowing robots to adapt to new environments. While promising, the technology requires further development before commercial deployment. The research highlights the potential of LLMs to enhance human-robot interaction by encoding common sense and translating spoken instructions into code.
A Century of Chemistry
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Nanjing University, established in 1920, is a leading institution in China known for its cutting-edge research and global collaborations. With a faculty of 116 full professors and 48 associate professors, the SCCE excels in various chemistry disciplines and has produced numerous academicians. Recent breakthroughs include research on platinum-based cancer drugs, single-cell electrochemistry analysis tools, and micro-interface intensified reaction technology. The SCCE's success is reflected in its high rankings and its commitment to innovation and practical applications in chemistry.
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