In the animal kingdom, mating calls and pheromones can attract a mate – or a canny predator

By Thomas White, Senior lecturer, University of Sydney

Reproduction is the ultimate goal in life for most animals, but securing a mate is hard work. You must not only find a potential suitor, but hold their attention, identify yourself, and advertise your quality.

To achieve this, animals use “sexual signals”. These conspicuous displays or ornaments help beat out the competition in the contest for mates. And some of the most beautiful aspects of the animal world have evolved for this purpose.

Sexual signals are costly, though, and not just in terms of the energy it takes to sing or dance. One seemingly obvious and profound…

Read complete article

~	US sanctions on Iranian hackers highlight growing concern about the Islamic Republic’s cyberwarriors

~	Defence policy update focuses on quantum technology’s role in making Canada safe

~	Solving teacher shortages depends on coming together around shared aspirations for children

~	Will New Zealand’s school phone ban work? Let’s see what it does for students’ curiosity

~	CAR: Former President François Bozizé must face trial for crimes against humanity

~	Saudi Arabia: Woman jailed for 11 years for online expression supporting women’s rights

~	Azerbaijan: Human rights and climate justice advocate arrested ahead of COP29

~	Gaza protests: UN rights chief flags ‘disproportionate’ police action on US campuses

~	The Law against Fascism that perpetuates authoritarianism in Venezuela

~	Scotland’s government fell apart in a week – here’s what happened