Virgin Births, and Pigeon Dreams

Join Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham in this episode of Monday Science as she explores the fascinating intersection of technology, biology, and animal behavior. Discover the groundbreaking discovery of a virgin birth in a female crocodile, shedding light on self-reproduction in evolutionary ancestors. Dive into the world of microexpressions and the development of a machine learning-based tool for their recognition, with potential applications in security systems and emotional analysis. Uncover the intriguing study on pigeons' dream patterns, providing insights into their sleep and brain activity.

In addition, Dr. Bahijja expresses her gratitude to Monday Science listeners from over 71 countries worldwide and shares plans for Throwback Thursdays, where previous podcast episodes will be revisited with insights into the recording process. Don't miss out on the captivating exploration of the intersection between technology, biology, and animal behavior.

Lastly, discover exciting STEM-related events taking place in Malaysia, Botswana, the UK, and Germany, including an intelligent technology exhibition, an art and craft showcase, a space poetry performance, and a physics science slam.

Tune in to this episode for an engaging blend of groundbreaking discoveries, thought-provoking discussions, and upcoming STEM events. Thank you for being a part of Monday Science's journey!

Additional Information

• Scientists record first known ‘virgin birth’ in female crocodile in Costa Rica - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/07/scientists-record-first-known-virgin-birth-in-female-crocodile-in-costa-rica

Link to the research paper - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0129?af=R

• Researchers in Nigeria and South Africa had developed a machine learning based tool to study the recognition of micro-expressions - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227620302039
• When pigeons dream - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38669-1

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