Ian T. Baldwin, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology director, was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences and German Leopoldina for his work in plant ecology and gene function research. His studies have uncovered molecular mechanisms by which plants survive adverse environmental conditions.
A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that the interaction between two species' personalities is key to predicting ecological outcomes. Researchers observed varying activity levels among jumping spiders and house crickets, finding that combined personality types best predicted survival for crickets and foraging success for spiders.
A University of Arizona-led study has provided the first on-the-ground evidence that Southwestern plants are being pushed to higher elevations by an increasingly warmer and drier climate. Plant communities were found to be different 50 years ago due to individual species shifting their ranges independently.
Researchers have discovered that trees across species exhibit remarkably similar branching patterns, allowing scientists to infer a tree's function regardless of its shape or size. The study confirms a theory developed by UA ecology professor Brian Enquist and has implications for models used to assess forest ecosystems.
Researchers develop fast and accurate method to monitor biodiversity changes using crushed insect 'soup', comparable to traditional labor-intensive approaches. This breakthrough enables rapid detection of environmental shifts and endangered species, informing policy and conservation decisions.
Jocelyn Millar, a professor of entomology at UC Riverside, has been elected a fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his outstanding contributions to entomology. He is recognized internationally as an expert in chemical ecology and has developed practical applications for detecting and managing insect populations.
Increased variability in yearly temperature records has shifted to regions of high population in Europe and North America. Globally, total temperature variability remains relatively stable despite global warming trends.
Researchers aim to improve biosynthetic yield of valuable natural products using metabolically modified bacteria with optimized MEP pathways. The goal is to produce high-quality substances efficiently, reducing labor and costs in the process.
Researchers develop equations to estimate parasite and host metabolic rates, providing a new way to understand the energetics of parasites. The model reveals that there is a limit to how many worms can be accommodated in a host, with energy being the key limiting factor.
Scientists discuss spillover of infectious diseases among wildlife, domestic animals and people; find links between environment and human health. The symposia will address human influences on viral and bacterial diseases through alteration of landscapes and ecological processes.
The UCSB National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) is expanding its reach with a new $2.4 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The center will engage non-academic stakeholders in ecology research, tackling environmental challenges such as conservation of freshwater fisheries and resilient agricu...
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that microbial changes can regulate entire ecosystems, specifically mitigating the release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The research found that type II methanotrophic bacteria replaced other microbes, oxidizing methane and reducing its impact.
A decline in snow cover poses a significant threat to many plant and animal species, compromising their survival during harsh winter weather. The subnivium, a seasonal microenvironment beneath the snow, is experiencing drastic changes due to rising temperatures.
The Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology examines the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on e-waste recycling. Researchers assess the use of RFID technology, EPR adoption in developing countries, and producer take-back organizations to improve recyclability.
Researchers at University of Arizona's Tumamoc Hill have digitized 106 years of growth data on individual plants, offering new insights into how ecosystems behave. The permanent research plots represent the world's longest-running study monitoring individual plants.
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology is launching a research project to study the impact of climate change on plant range shifts and ecosystem stability. The team aims to understand how plants interact with their 'ecological partners' in new ranges, and how this affects biodiversity.
A recent study found that climate change disrupts the seasonal timing of songbirds, but density-dependent processes are helping to mitigate this effect by allowing some birds to survive and reproduce despite earlier or later food availability. This temporary rescue is buying time for evolutionary adaptation.
A global review reveals a cocktail of pressures contributing to declining pollinator populations, impacting crop yields and wild plant reproduction. Effective habitat networks, pesticide risk assessments, and innovative disease therapies are proposed solutions.
A new study found that approximately half of Tamiflu prescriptions were unused in England during the 2009-10 influenza pandemic. The unused medication represents around 600,000 courses and a significant financial cost to the UK taxpayer.
Researchers found that animals use various methods to self-medicate, including learning and innate behaviors. This practice has significant implications for the ecology and evolution of animal hosts and their parasites.
A meta-analysis of 161 studies on prey diversity found that mixed diets enhance animal fitness, but not as well as specialized diets. Generalized diets may offer flexibility and less risk of predation, rather than nutritional benefits.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition has announced its winners, featuring striking visual elements that depict specific ecological interactions. The overall winning image highlights the coevolution of a stick insect and its host, while the runner-up showcases a subalpine flower meadow in Colorado.
A new study finds weak support for the dilution effect, which suggests that higher biodiversity reduces disease transmission from animals to humans. Instead, researchers found variable links between biodiversity and disease prevalence, influenced by disease systems, local ecology, and human social context.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that insect odorant receptors are self-regulated, allowing them to amplify sensitivity in response to below-threshold odor stimulation. This mechanism enables flies to detect minute amounts of odors, essential for navigation and finding resources.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass in response to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has important implications for the future evolution of tropical rainforests and their role in the global climate system.
Researchers developed a model that calculates how temperature changes affect parasite metabolism and life cycle, helping to predict disease ranges. The Princeton metabolic model can identify prospects for nearly any disease-causing parasite, even with limited knowledge of the organism.
The Yale School of Environment's Journal of Industrial Ecology publishes a special issue on Sustainable Urban Systems, focusing on integrated approaches to reduce environmental impact. Research explores global warming, waste management, and phosphorus use in cities worldwide.
A new study published in Springer's Human Ecology journal explores the complex web of factors increasing perceived risk of tiger attack in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. The researchers found that poverty-related issues, such as low incomes and poor infrastructure, significantly influence villagers' perceptions of risk from tigers.
Future climate changes are predicted to benefit most mammals in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions today, except for some specialists like the Arctic fox and lemming. Human activities will hinder these species from adapting, reducing their distribution instead.
Researchers discovered that firebugs and cotton stainers rely on symbiotic bacteria to thrive on Malvaceous plant seeds. The bacterial community helps provide essential nutrients and detoxify toxic chemicals, making it a key factor in the bugs' survival and success.
Scientists have developed a new method for studying parasite numbers in individual seabirds in the wild, using endoscopy. The technique found that all birds had parasites ranging from low burdens of several worms to high burdens of over 40 worms, with higher burdens in males and late breeders.
Mountaintop mining has significant environmental and social impacts, but a new public ecology approach aims to balance economic needs with ecological protection. The approach involves broad participation, transparency, and compromise among stakeholders, including miners, environmental groups, and government agencies.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is funding 16 top scientists for pioneering research in marine microbial ecology, exploring interactions between trillions of microscopic organisms and their environment. This funding aims to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
New studies discuss the ecology, drivers, and dynamics of zoonoses, highlighting the need for effective collaboration between experts. While there are concerns about predicting zoonotic pandemics, recent advancements in modeling and technology suggest we may be on the verge of improvement.
A new University of Florida study shows that animal bones can provide valuable geographical data for conservation efforts. By analyzing bone accumulations on the landscape of Yellowstone National Park, researcher Joshua Miller identified critical areas for elk survival during spring and winter.
A team of middle school students, led by a University of Arizona graduate student, conducted the first systematic study on leaf shrinkage when drying out. They found that leaves shrink about 20% on average, but variables such as species and structural investment determine the amount of shrinkage.
A new study found that UK butterfly populations' sensitivity to extreme drought is affected by habitat type area and degree of fragmentation. Larger, more connected patches of woodland habitat reduced population sensitivity and facilitated faster recovery.
Researchers found that releasing green leaf volatiles increases plant fitness by attracting enemies of herbivores and boosting reproduction. This natural defense mechanism can improve agricultural yields without harming the environment.
Research finds that dry soils increase the likelihood of afternoon storms globally, contradicting current climate models. The study's findings have significant implications for predicting regional weather patterns and understanding global climate change.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology identified a specific enzyme, CYP337B3, responsible for the cotton bollworm's resistance to pyrethroids. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the genetic mechanisms behind insecticide resistance.
Ecologists warn of potential unintended consequences of genetically engineered algae for biofuel production. Researchers argue for independent studies and adequate funding to explore potential risks, including survival in the wild, hybridization, and ecosystem disruption.
The invasive Ophiothela mirabilis has established populations in the Atlantic, threatening coral reefs near Brazilian and Caribbean ports. Its ability to clone itself increases its proliferating capacity and dispersal, altering the ecology of Atlantic coral reef habitats.
A recent study published in Functional Ecology forecasts that tropical cold-blooded organisms are less likely to go extinct due to climate change. The researchers found that the 'hotter is better' theory suggests species adapted to warmer environments may evolve faster and be more resilient.
Scientists explore the interconnectedness of ecological relationships and evolutionary history to better understand species distribution, adaptation, and coexistence. The research reveals complex feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes, shedding new light on the patterns and processes of biodiversity.
Researchers studying sloths on a shade-grown cacao farm in Costa Rica are gaining insights into their mating habits, behavior, and ecological parameters. The study reveals that sloths tend to disperse from home range and have multiple partners, and the cacao farm provides an ideal habitat for these animals.
The Ecological Society of America honored eight scientists with prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to ecology, including Robert Naiman and Janet Lanza. The awards recognize meritorious research, teaching, and service to the field of ecology.
Experts in ecology and conservation science argue that Rio+20 talks should consider physical limits on resource use governed by ecological principles. Human ingenuity may be insufficient to overcome the constraints of the biosphere, but positive approaches can provide solutions for sustainable development.
A new study reveals that insects store voicemails via their effects on soil fungi, passing signals to future plants and their enemies.
The Mia J. Tegner Memorial Research Grants support research on the history of ocean ecology, aiming to predict future impacts from human interactions. The 2012 grants were awarded to four researchers studying various marine ecosystems, including Antarctica and the eastern Mediterranean seascape.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered a new enzyme in the coca plant that catalyzes a key step in cocaine biosynthesis. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of tropane alkaloids and reveals that the pathways in coca and belladonna evolved independently.
The University of Miami's R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program will receive a $40,000 grant from Wells Fargo to enhance marine conservation science education and research. The program aims to inspire youth to learn STEM skills and adopt conservation attitudes, as well as raise awareness about marine ecology and shark species.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens found that the rabies virus evolves nearly four times faster in tropical bats than in temperate bats. The rate of evolution depends on the bat's ecological traits, including its geographical location and behavior.
A study found that male robins care for their young more when the eggs laid by their mate are brighter blue. The researchers replaced artificial eggs with baby robins in nests to test this theory, and results showed males feeding their babies twice as much when eggs were brightest blue.
Researchers highlight the importance of dry river ecology, which is under-researched but provides essential habitats for biota. Human societies use these areas for agriculture, recreation, and resource extraction, emphasizing the need to study intermittent river systems.
Researchers found that non-native plant species use different strategies, such as blooming later in the year and occupying specific habitats, to increase their frequency of occurrence. This differentiation is important for understanding modern ecosystems and recognizing potential dangers from introduced species.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology developed a device called Flywalk that measures insect responses to odor signals, revealing specific brain regions for processing attractants and deterrents. The study shows that flies process attractive odors differently depending on gender and reproductive status.
A UCLA study resolves decades-old debates on plant drought tolerance, finding that saltier cell sap is key to survival. The team's discovery allows for predictions of which species can thrive in dry environments.
Slugs are major crop pests in no-till field crops, with limited management options available. Integrated pest management options, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, are suggested for common mid-Atlantic slug species.
A recent study published in EcoHealth found that squirrels and raccoons will abandon food to avoid ticks, indicating they may be aware of the parasite's threat. This new understanding of the ecology of fear extends to parasites and has implications for human health as ticks are vectors of emerging diseases.
Research by Judith Myers introduces a beetle to North America to feast on invasive knapweed, causing a significant decline in the plant's presence. The program shows $17 in economic benefit for every dollar spent, making it a win for the economy and ecology.