Articles for author: Annette Uy

red panda climbing on tree

How Animals Really See the World: Understanding Vision in Different Species

Annette Uy

Visual perception is a critical sense for many species, providing necessary information about the environment to find food, avoid predators, and interact with their social groups. However, not all animals perceive the world in the same way humans do. Different species have evolved unique visual systems, which reveal a fascinating diversity of how animals see ...

Regenerating Tī Kōuka and Rongoā: New Zealand’s Endemic Edible Forests

Regenerating Tī Kōuka and Rongoā: New Zealand’s Endemic Edible Forests

Annette Uy

What if the forests you walked through were not just breathtaking, but healing? Imagine a world where ancient trees whisper stories of survival, and every leaf and root hides a remedy or a feast. In Aotearoa, New Zealand, such forests exist—teeming with unique plants like tī kōuka (cabbage tree) and guardians of rongoā Māori, the ...

Why World Migratory Bird Day Is a Wake-Up Call for Habitat Conservation

Annette Uy

Every spring and autumn, the skies above our heads transform into living highways as millions of birds embark on epic journeys across continents. Yet, behind the beauty of these migrations lies an urgent warning: our world’s habitats are in crisis, and the fate of migratory birds hangs in the balance. World Migratory Bird Day is ...

The Corpse Flower That Smells Like Rotting Flesh to Attract Pollinators

The Corpse Flower That Smells Like Rotting Flesh to Attract Pollinators

Annette Uy

Imagine stepping into a lush rainforest, the air thick with the scent of earth and foliage—only to be suddenly hit by an overwhelming stench of decaying flesh. It’s not the aftermath of a tragedy, but rather one of nature’s most astonishing spectacles: the blooming of the corpse flower. This botanical marvel shocks and fascinates with ...

Aesthetic display of makeup palettes and lipsticks surrounded by flowers.

How Animal Testing in Cosmetics is Being Banned Worldwide

Annette Uy

Animal testing in cosmetics has long been a contentious issue. For much of the 20th century, companies relied on animal testing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their products, aiming to protect consumers from allergic reactions and other adverse effects. These tests often involved applying products directly to animals’ skin or eyes, subjecting them ...

A man tending to plant samples under purple grow lights in a laboratory setting.

Space Farming: How Could We Grow Food and Sustain Life in Space?

Annette Uy

As humanity sets its sights on long-term space exploration and potential colonization of other planets, the need for sustainable life-support systems becomes paramount. Space farming, or the production of food in space environments, is a crucial component of these future missions. It aims to address the challenges of food production in space, offering solutions for ...

Are We Hearing Enough? The Case for Listening to the Non-Human World

Are We Hearing Enough? The Case for Listening to the Non-Human World

Annette Uy

Have you ever paused in a forest and truly listened, letting the chorus of birds, the whisper of leaves, and the distant croak of frogs wash over you? Most people don’t. In our busy, bustling lives, the subtle voices of the non-human world are often drowned out by engines, electronics, and endless chatter. Yet, beneath ...

African wild elephant family with a large elephant in the grass

Using AI to Fight Poaching and Protect Wildlife

Annette Uy

Wildlife poaching remains one of the most pressing threats to biodiversity, pushing iconic species like elephants, rhinos, and tigers closer to extinction. Driven by demand for tusks, horns, and pelts, poaching disrupts ecosystems, undermines local economies, and threatens global conservation efforts. However, with advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is new hope. AI is proving ...