Olivia L. Dobbs
Bio
Science Enthusiast, Naturalist, Dreamer.
Check out my science! -> bit.ly/DobbsEtAl
Stories (76/0)
Chimpanzees are Using Human-like War Strategy
A study published in early November 2023 altered the way we perceive the intelligence of chimpanzees. Though it was previously known that the species engaged in some war-like activities between groups, scientists working in Côte d’Ivoire reported behavior much more sophisticated: chimpanzees are engaging in reconnaissance and surveillance.
By Olivia L. Dobbs4 days ago in Earth
10 Wild Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Virginia Opossums
In early November 2023, the internet was taken by storm by an incredible video of an opossum being dragged away off the field at the start of the second quarter of a college football game. The video quickly became memed by social media, celebrating the absolutely silly moment that had just aired on live television. It was truly a delight, the little fella baring its teeth as it dug its paws into the grass and was reluctantly pulled off the field.
By Olivia L. Dobbs18 days ago in Earth
The Hiccup Mystery: Exploring the Scientific Reasons Behind an Annoying Reflex
Weird fun fact about your author - I am exceptionally prone to hiccups. I’m talking about daily, unwarranted, random hiccups that plague me for a couple of minutes at a time, and it’s been like that since I was young. It’s become a weird joke amongst friends - I hiccup on a schedule. To make it worse, for some reason, the other folks around me don’t ever hiccup! Frustrated, and sick of that nasty twitchy feeling in my chest, I set to the internet to figure out what on earth is up with my unfortunate, glitchy diaphragm.
By Olivia L. Dobbs25 days ago in Earth
Radical Grass-tivism: Reshaping your Home’s Plant Composition for a Better Future
Have you ever stopped to think about your lawn? It's more than just a patch of green – it's a vital part of your local ecosystem. The traditional approach of cultivating manicured lawns with non-native grass is a centuries-old tradition, but it's time to reevaluate its impact on the environment.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a month ago in Earth
New Research Indicates Nearly Inevitable Sea Level Rise in the Next Century
It’s too late to save the West Antarctic ice shelf from melting, according to new research published on October 23, 2023. The study, published by Kaitlin A. Naughten, Paul R. Holland & Jan De Rydt, paints a concerning picture of the next hundred years.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a month ago in Earth
A Crisis of Invisible Pollution: How Urban Noise Harms Nature
When you think of pollution, certain sights come to mind: beaches littered with plastic, greenish liquid pouring out from a pipe. These sorts of pollution get the most attention, they’re charismatically dramatic and often acutely heartbreaking. But, unfortunately, our effect on other creatures isn’t isolated to the chemicals and refuse we produce. On top of the sludge and fumes, we’re also profoundly noisy to our natural neighbors.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Earth
The Chickadee: Nature’s Secret Genius Bird-Brain
Chickadees are smarter than their tiny heads might indicate. The round little genus of birds has long been a delight for birders, but, more recently, they’ve become a fascinating study species for behavioral scientists, too!
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Earth
BlueWalker 3’s Incredible Light Pollution: Why it Matters
“The rapid proliferation of satellites in recent years has alarmed stargazers from all walks of life. As spacecraft move across the sky, they create bright trails and an ambient glow in the sky that can destroy astronomical images and obscure fainter celestial objects that would otherwise be visible to the naked eye.” - Becky Ferreira, New York Times
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Futurism
10 of the Coolest New Animal and Fungi Species Discovered in 2023
2023 has been a remarkably productive year for science. With COVID restrictions nearly entirely lifted, scientists have finally been able to return to business as mostly usual with field research and exploration. The results are already showing, and all across the world, folks have been finding new animals and fungi hiding in remarkable locations.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 months ago in Earth
Hey Vocal, Your AI Detection Algorithm Is Flagging Your Real Users
If it wasn’t readily apparent from my profile and collection of stories, I’m a huge STEM nerd. When ChatGPT was announced I rejoiced about the potential for innovation and efficiency. Where many saw [an absolutely incredibly valid] concern about jobs being stolen and their livelihood being jeopardized, I couldn’t help but wax optimistic, suddenly all authors were granted a new, free tool for peer-like review, SEO optimization, and, yes, even text generation.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Writers
We're Officially In the Artificial Intelligence Goldrush
The Pandora’s Box which is artificial intelligence has already been opened. Its effects are already visible, rippling throughout our media, our political landscape, and perhaps even your home. Change is already upon us and, if we strategically adapt with it, AI has the potential to be a remarkable benefit to society and the individuals who adopt it.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 months ago in Futurism
