60-second Science

New World societies long ago likely had less income inequality than those in the Old World, and the difference might have been an oxen gap. Christopher Intagliata reports.

The crested pigeon, found in Australia, has a modified wing feather that helps produce an alarm signal sound to warn other birds when there's trouble.  

A campaign calls for the creation of a statue to recognize Félicette, the first cat to be sent into space.  

The Bryde's whale has come up with a passive but more efficient feeding strategy in the hypoxic waters of the Gulf of Thailand.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Computer scientists borrowed insights from the fruit fly brain to create a more accurate search algorithm. Christopher Intagliata reports.

With some training, sheep were able to select a celebrity's face over that of a stranger they'd never seen. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SETI pioneer Jill Tarter and Berkeley researcher Dan Werthimer talk about how the discovery of nearby exoplanets is inspiring new efforts to gain info about these galactic neighbors.    

On National Bison Day, a look at the role the Bronx played in reestablishing herds of bison on the American plains.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a sample of 98 woolly mammoth remains, researchers found that 70 percent were male—which suggests males were more likely to die accidentally. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists used muons, a by-product of cosmic rays, to image the interior of the Great Pyramid—and found a previously unknown space inside. Christopher Intagliata reports.

The wood tiger moth is the first species known in which fluids from various parts of the moth’s body each target a different type of predator. Jason Goldman reports.

As news coverage of California's most recent drought intensified, water use trends went down—suggesting news might inspire consumers to conserve. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wintertime smog in China's northeastern provinces is so severe it blocks more than 20 percent of sunlight from reaching the region's solar panels. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wolves appear to have better cooperation skills than dogs—unless the pups partner up with humans. Karen Hopkin reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Firearm deaths and injuries went up in California communities after gun shows in neighboring Nevada—but not after more strictly regulated California gun shows. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Mosquitos stealthily float off us after filling up, by virtue of fast wingbeats that generate almost instant lift with only an imperceptible additional push from the legs.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up-to-date software, apps, browsers and router software offer the best protection against a potential flaw in wi-fi security called a key reinstallation attack, or KRACK.  

Exhaust fumes from oceangoing vessels lead to an almost doubling of lightning activity over shipping lanes compared to adjacent areas of the sea.  

By playing the online game Foldit, players might help design an enzyme that can stop aflatoxins from making millions sick.

Jellyfish exhibit signs of a sleep state, which could mean that sleep predates the evolutionary development of central nervous systems.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices