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Feathers are a complex and fascinating biological structure that have played a crucial role in the evolution and survival of birds. Recent research has provided new insights into the biology of feathers, including their evolutionary origins, growth, development, and aerodynamics. Feathers were not unique to birds, as they were also present in certain dinosaurs. Feathers come in various types, each with its own specialized function, and their development is influenced by genes and environmental factors. Feathers have also attracted attention for their role in attracting mates. They have aerodynamic properties and can be finely tuned for stiffness, weight, and shape. Different bird species have adapted feathers for specific ecological specializations, such as silent flight in owls and specialized plumage for swimming in penguins. Feathers have also inspired technological innovations. Overall, feathers are a remarkable and multifaceted feature of avian biology that continue to be a subject of study and inspiration for future inventions. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a recently designed pigeon-based robot with featured wings inspiring next generation drones. Topics include researchers first used motion capturing video in examining pigeons folding and flexing their wings while flying; using modern imaging technology in gaining new insight showing microscopic structures hooking many bird species' feathers to one another during flight; and scientists modeling the robot's wings and feather movements closely to live pigeon.

She pointed to a 2021 study in frogs in which sodium-channel mutations did not demonstrate protection from batrachotoxins in some species, although Jønsson notes that the species tested had lower than average levels of the toxins among Papua New Guinean birds. Whatever the source, storing the toxin in skin and feathers may help protect the birds against parasites, Jønsson says. Using computer simulations, the re search ers studied how each species had evolved different variations in the neuron binding site - the same part of the protein altered in poison dart frogs - to thwart the toxin. [Extracted from the article]

Several lines of research using evolutionary developmental biology have recently converged on a remarkable conclusion: the feather evolved in dinosaurs before the appearance of birds. Together these advances have produced a highly detailed and revolutionary picture: feathers originated and diversified in carnivorous, bipedal theropod dinosaurs before the origin of birds or the origin of flight. According to the developmental theory of feather origin, feathers evolved in a series of stages. Each stage built on an evolutionary novelty in how feathers grow that then served as the basis for the next innovation. Variations in the shape and microscopic structure of the barbs, barbules and rachis create an astounding range of feathers.

The article focuses on the evolution of the royal and wandering albatrosses. Distinguishing between the species is aided by differences in the development of plumage. The history of the work conducted by L. E. Richdale of the University of Otago in New Zealand demonstrates that the albatrosses are tenacious in their nesting habits. C. C. Dixon, a ship captain during the 19th century, provided information regarding the ocean range and distribution of the great albatrosses.

The article focuses on the red-feather money, one of the most exotic kinds of money in the world. The red-feather currency of the Santa Cruz Islands of the southwest Pacific has been described. The currency system is regulated by the availability of the red-feathers and by the output of the hunters and artisans who make the money.

The article discusses the study by evolutionary biologist Dakota McCoy and colleagues on birds-of-paradise species with black feathers which revealed that the feathers can absorb light that hits it.

Offers humorous observations on science and science writing. Efforts of an Israeli geneticist to breed a featherless chicken; Examples of haiku which can be substituted for rejection letters for contributors to this periodical.

Focuses on the development of a recycling technology that allows plastics and paper products to be made from chicken feathers. Method developed by chemist Walter Schmidt in which barb fibers are separated from a feather's chaff; How the fibers can be developed into polymer films; Use of the feather's quill to make a high-grade protein.