NewsPlantsSome tropical trees act as lightning rods to fend off rivalsTaking a jolt of lightning also kills parasitic vines A Dipteryx oleifera tree, standing tall in the jungle. Researchers think that this trees height and large crown attract lightning.Evan GoraBy Javier Barbuzano1 hour agoGetting hit by lightning is not usually a good thing. But one tropical tree species seems to harness heavens wrath. Not only do the trees survive lightning strikes, but their height and voluminous crowns act as natural lightning rods, attracting strikes that damage foes and boost their competitive advantage in the dense jungle.The finding, reported March 26 in New Phytologist, comes from a years-long effort at Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Panama, where scientists studied lightnings overall impact on the forest. Using a camera array, drones and ground teams, researchers tracked lightning strikes and their effects. The team expected to find only detrimental effects on trees; however, it soon became clear that Dipteryx oleifera, also called almendro, benefited from the shock therapy to fend off rival trees and get rid of parasitic vines.Sign up for our newsletterWe summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

Nature, Published online: 07 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01033-yState of the industry report also shows that 2024 was a breakthrough year for small, sleek models to rival the behemoths.

This midrange smart scale gives detailed health insights at an affordable price, but some of the tech is lacking.

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Artificial intelligence remains one of the biggest talking points in video games and many other industries, and now Nintendo of America's president has weighed in to share his thoughts.Doug Bowser told CNBC that he sees opportunities for AI technologies to enhance productivity in some areas, but when it comes to actual game development, humans will always lead the way."If developers choose to use AI--and it is a discussion right now at Nintendo--it's not the only method of developing games," he said. "We still believe that what makes our games special is our developers. Their artistic capabilities. Their insight into how people play. So there is always, always going to be a human touch and a human engagement in how we develop and build our games."Continue Reading at GameSpot

The rumored remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is slated for release sometime in April 2025, according to a new report from a well-known industry insider. The same source also suggested that the Oblivion remake will break a three-decade series tradition.