This spider can breathe underwater for 30 minutes
To make the underwater trick work, the tropical spider Trechalea extensa used its own hydrophobic hairs to help create a “film of air” that kept the air-breathing spider safe while in survival mode, Binghamton biologist Lindsey Swierk tells Popular Mechanics. Read more
Research tells us why psychopaths can succeed in society
A new study highlights an important link between the trait of psychopathy and charisma. The research, conducted by Binghamton’s Emma-Clementine Welsh, argues that a higher level of charisma in psychopathic individuals may make them more successful, Forbes reports. Read more
LGBTQ people face ‘groomer’ accusations and trolling as culture war rages on
The rising tide of online abuse is challenging as the internet has become an essential place for young people to learn about LGBTQ identities and connect with community members. Data from the social media platform Reddit analyzed by Jeremy Blackburn, an assistant professor of computer science at Binghamton University who studies online extremism, found about a 100 percent increase since the beginning of the year in discussion of “grooming” in conjunction with various LGBTQ slurs starting in early March, NBC news reports. Read more
Funding to clean up orphaned oil, gas wells is on the way
Two Binghamton University professors have been working to solve the problem of tracking down abandoned wells with newly developed drone technology, Sierra magazine reports. Read more
Binghamton battery project wins $500,000; will compete for $100M
Binghamton University’s New Energy NY Project aims to transform the Southern Tier into an energy technology hub. Read more
More than ‘Squid Game:’ the international rise of K-dramas
Binghamton University scholar Robert Ku and others discuss Korean dramas such as “Squid Game” on the radio program 1A this week. Read more
Christian schools boom in a revolt against curriculum, pandemic rules
A boom in conservative Christian schooling appears to be driven nationwide by a combination of pandemic frustrations and rising parental anxieties around how schools handle education on issues including race and the rights of transgender students, the New York Times reports, quoting Binghamton historian Adam Laats and others. Read more
