The value that bats provide to humans by pollinating crops and eating insects is far greater than harm from virus transmission – which is mainly caused by human actions.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Bats
Displaying 61 - 80 of 116 articles
The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is undergoing extensive genetic analysis around the world to understand its origin and evolution.
COVID-19 is not the first – nor likely the last – to emerge from the two continents.
Understanding the many factors that may play a role in spillover of pathogens from bats to humans requires systematic surveillance of bat populations.
Researchers are puzzled by a fungus that is killing millions of bats.
It’s been a deadly summer for Australia’s wildlife. But beyond the fires, we need to act now to protect bats – which make up a quarter of Australian mammal species – from a silent overseas killer.
Vampire bats form social bonds similar to human friendships – and they’re good friends to those in need.
Rabies is almost always fatal once the symptoms appear. It is also completely preventable, so long as you know how to protect yourself.
Ancient poo from bats and birds can tell you what type of vegetation they were feeding on at that time.
Sometimes, two different animals will evolve to have a similar adaptation, even when they are not closely related. Flight is an excellent example.
Scientists identify the risk of bat flu spreading to humans.
Museums’ collections are a priceless resource for scientists, but they’re not easy to access. Digitizing specimens – like the 700 bat skulls the author studied – is a way to let everyone in.
Bats have symbolised everything from insanity to good luck. A new book explores their place in our collective imagination.
Scientists often use animals and plants as indicators to assess whether ecosystems are polluted. Tracking bats, which cover wide areas and need clean water, could become a way to find potable water.
Ultra-violet (UV) light can destroy a fungus that’s devastating the animals in North America.
Bed bugs make us shudder and cringe. So arm yourself with the courage to learn about the biology and successes of Cimex lectularius – as well as the ways to get rid of it.
We need balanced media reporting about bat-borne diseases to help avoid vilification of Australia’s under-appreciated creatures of the night.
Scientific studies show that bats may carry “coronoviruses” causing SARS and MERS - without showing symptoms of disease. Could the bat immune system be key to human survival in future pandemics?
A new framework has been developed to identify wildlife populations under threat.
A collection of The Conversation Global’s best articles on animals, from glow-in-the-dark frogs to the wood beetles that do humanity’s dirty work.
Top contributors
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Professor in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University
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Science Communication Officer, GENUS, University of the Witwatersrand
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The University of Melbourne
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Maître de Conférences (HDR) à Sorbonne Université, ISYEB - Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (CNRS, MNHN, SU, EPHE, UA), Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN)
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Sciences, University of Bristol
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Researcher, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
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Research scientist, CSIRO
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Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, James Cook University
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Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow, University of Glasgow
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Professor/Director Centre for Viral Zoonoses/ DST-NRF South African Research Chair, University of Pretoria
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The University of Melbourne
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Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan
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Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Kennesaw State University
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Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
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Adjunct Asssociate Professor, James Cook University
