A study published in Frontiers in Zoology has found a hybrid system in pearl-perch that utilizes characteristics of both slow and fast systems for sound production. This discovery takes researchers closer to understanding the evolution of superfast sonic muscles that drive swimbladder vibration.
A study published in PLOS ONE introduces a lighter-weight GPS tag model that enables tracking of animals weighing at least 5.5 pounds, previously inaccessible due to equipment limitations. The team identified optimal deployment strategies for the smaller devices, resulting in successful tracking across a broader range of sizes.
A UBC study reveals that climate-driven warming and predation are causing significant losses in marine biodiversity, with mussels losing 51% of their habitat due to rising temperatures. Removing predators through exclusion cages allowed prey species to occupy hotter sites, resulting in a doubling of species richness.
A team of Michigan State University scientists has discovered that certain body parts are more sensitive to environmental changes than others. The research, led by Alexander Shingleton, uses fruit flies to study the genetics of body growth and development.
Researchers used satellite imagery to assess the conservation status of endangered species in the Comoro archipelago, finding that only 9% of the island area is still covered by natural forest. This approach allows for precise estimation of remaining habitat extent and prioritization of future protected areas.
A study on Lysmata amboinensis shrimp found that larger groups than pairs experience violent attacks and kills, with smaller groups remaining intact. Monogamous pairs emerge after aggression subsides, with reduced group sizes resulting in increased molting rates.
A University of British Columbia study reveals a 50% decline in elephant populations in eastern Congo over the last decade, primarily caused by human conflict and poaching. Conservation efforts with international support have shown to be effective in protecting these animals.
Researchers found that older male nightingales matched songs less often and overlapped songs more frequently with younger birds. This suggests a different strategy than previously thought, where older males may 'show off' to protect their territories by adding new songs to their repertoire.
Researchers have discovered that malaria and other insect-borne diseases have existed for at least 100 million years, co-evolving with birds and monkeys. The study uses preserved insects in amber to reveal the evolution of these pathogens, making it difficult to conquer them.
Paleontologist Guillermo Rougier and his team have reported the discovery of two skulls from the first known mammal of the early Late Cretaceous period in South America. The fossils provide a complete picture of the skull for the group, including extremely long canine teeth and a narrow muzzle.
A new species of gall maker was discovered in the aphid genus Aleurodaphis in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The species, Aleurodaphis sinojackiae, forms leaf galls on Jack trees and has distinctive wax gland arrangements, shedding light on the unique characteristics of this plant lice.
Scientists have described two new species of extremely long-legged beetles from the Philippines, assigning larval stages to adult images using mitochondrial DNA. The researchers aim to provide basic knowledge and identification tools for tropical species as freshwater bioindicators.
A recent study found that severe droughts and changes in water tables have pushed aquatic desert ecosystems into catastrophic regime change, resulting in the loss of some species and a shift towards smaller, shorter-lived insects.
The Entomological Society of America recognizes two entomologists with Distinguished Achievement Awards: Dr. Angela Douglas for her research on insect nutrition and symbiotic microorganisms, and Dr. Michael Parrella for his work on integrated pest management in the floriculture industry.
Researchers are exploring why warm places have more species by studying brown food webs and their impact on biodiversity. The four-year project will test mathematical models on trees, small animals, and microbes to predict the effects of global climate change.
Carla Atkinson, a University of Oklahoma graduate student, received the EPA's STAR Fellowship to study freshwater mussels in North America. Her research will explore the role of mussels in altering riverine ecosystems and their impact on human well-being.
Researchers found that ground beetle larvae use a unique method to attract and feed on amphibians, tricking them into thinking they are tasty prey. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding the environmental impact of invasive species.
Researchers found that ritualistic behavior is not only human but also animal behavior, developed to induce calm and manage stress. In both humans and animals, repetitive behavior serves as a way to feel in control of unpredictable situations.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that increased species richness decreases the prevalence and severity of infection caused by the deadly chytrid fungus in amphibians. This study provides evidence for the importance of biodiversity in protecting ecosystem function and reducing disease transmission.
Researchers at University of British Columbia have discovered radial glial cells in the spinal cord that can function as stem cells and regenerate portions of the central nervous system. These cells share unique genes with other neural stem cells and could be targeted for potential gene therapy treatments.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that organisms quickly evolve ways to compensate for genetic and genomic disruptions in sex determination. The study used an experimental evolution approach to study adaptations in nematodes and showed that the mechanisms themselves are flexible and adaptable from an evolutionary viewpoint.
A new species of ancient predatory fish, Laccognathus embryi, has been discovered in North America during the Devonian Period. The 5-6 foot long fish had a wide head, small eyes, and robust jaws lined with large piercing teeth.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an integrated method for surveying the earth for signs of valuable resources, including natural gas and oil. The technique combines multiple geophysical tools and plate tectonics reconstructions to identify specific areas with high potential for discovery.
A new study published in the Journal of Zoology found that the Tasmanian tiger's weak jaws made it unlikely to catch large prey like sheep. The research suggests that its inability to kill large prey may have hastened its extinction, highlighting the vulnerability of large predators with specialized diets.
Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a freshwater species of zooplankton, Daphnia magna, that can eat the B. dendrobatidis fungus devastating amphibian populations worldwide. The finding offers a promising biological control method to combat this deadly disease.
The project, called VertNet, aims to make online storage of vertebrate collections from around the world more accessible. This will enable academic researchers and citizen scientists to search and explore the vast collections more easily.
Researchers found that hyenas can count individual voices and assess their numerical advantage, supporting the concept of complex social groups leading to big brain evolution. Hyenas were more cautious when outnumbered and took risks with a numerical advantage.
New research on male helminthomorph millipedes has uncovered the intricate process of leg-to-gonopod metamorphosis, essential for their reproductive success. This complex transformation involves significant reorganization of the exoskeleton and muscles, altering the animal's body plan.
A new study has found that soft corals, once believed to be minor contributors to coral reef structure, are actually a crucial component of the ecosystem. Soft coral skeletal elements called sclerites were discovered to make up massive parts of reefs in the South China Sea.
A new treatment developed at Tel Aviv University uses laser-treated bone marrow stem cells to help restore heart function and health. The procedure significantly reduces heart scarring after an ischemic event by up to 80 percent, offering a safer and quicker alternative to existing options.
Dr. Ray Semlitsch has been awarded the 2011 Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology for his groundbreaking research on amphibian ecology and wetland conservation. His studies have shown that tolerance to contaminants varies among species, and he established the importance of aquatic environments for semi-aquatic amphibians.
Environmental assessments need to examine a broader reach, as displaced species migrate to neighboring habitats, causing competition for resources. Researchers tracked the movements of raptors in the Judean Foothills, finding that buzzards are taking over eagles' nests and diminishing their food supply.
A recent study suggests that mitigating chytridiomycosis through different infection control methods could largely prevent local extinctions and outbreaks of the disease. Researchers have identified successful pilot studies in Spain, including a heat therapy treatment using itraconazole, which has increased amphibian survival rates.
A comprehensive whole sequence variation map of rhesus macaque has been published, providing a valuable resource for evolutionary and biomedical research. The study identified 5.5 million SNPs and 125,150 structural variations, including annotated nonsynonymous SNPs related to human disease and drug-target genes.
Research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz found that ant colonies with higher levels of aggression and behavioral variability are more productive, producing more offspring and biomass. This suggests that a division of labor based on individual personality traits may be the key to their ecological success.
A new University of Melbourne study reveals that mother Eastern Grey Kangaroos double their food intake and significantly reduce resting time to meet the nutritional needs of their baby. This altered behavior increases their risk of parasite infection, which may be a significant additional cost for reproducing females.
Researchers have developed a new treatment approach to Usher syndrome, a debilitating disease causing congenital deaf-blindness. A small molecule called PTC124 (Ataluren) has been shown to ignore stop signals in mutated genes, allowing for continued protein synthesis and potentially reversing sight loss.
A new species of desert tortoise, Gopherus morafkai, has been discovered after 150 years, revealing the existence of a previously unknown population in Arizona and northwestern Mexico. This discovery highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
A meta-analysis of bacterial-virus interactions reveals a nested structure, with hard-to-infect bacteria infected by generalist viruses and easy-to-infect bacteria attacked by both generalist and specialist viruses. This discovery could improve predictions of microbial population dynamics and community assembly.
Researchers discovered a compound in cinnamon bark that can inhibit the development of Alzheimer's disease. The extract, called CEppt, slows down the progression of the disease and breaks up toxic amyloid fibers in the brain.
A new study reveals that bird plumage coloration falls short of filling the colour space, leaving vast regions unoccupied. Despite having an additional color cone sensitive to ultraviolet light, birds can only produce a subset of colors theoretically visible to other birds.
A recent study confirms that Cuban crocodiles in the wild are hybridizing with American crocodiles, posing a significant threat to the species' survival. This genetic interbreeding may lead to both replacement and genetic mixing, potentially causing the extinction of one lineage.
Researchers from the University of Zurich propose using bacteria and fungicides to fight the chytrid fungus, a major killer of amphibians worldwide. The study suggests two promising methods: using skin-borne bacteria to block the fungus or treating infected frogs with fungicides.
A population of the freshwater limpet Rhodacmea filosa, thought to be extinct since the mid-20th century, has been rediscovered in a tributary of the Coosa River in Alabama. The discovery is a conservation success story and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity in rapidly changing environments.
Researchers observed that spiders increase decorating activity in response to severe web damage but not light damage, suggesting the purpose of silk decorations is to make webs more visible to predators. This study helps unravel the mystery of why orb-weaving spiders decorate their webs.
Increasing ocean acidity poses significant threats to northern abalone populations, with exposure to higher CO2 levels killing 40% of larvae and reducing their size. This could limit population growth and have cascading effects on coastal ecosystems.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming a dominant source of pollution in the Caribbean, threatening coral reefs and marine life. The researchers' findings suggest that poor stormwater management and wastewater treatment are to blame for this shift.
Researchers identify epithelial cells as key to sponge movement, contradicting long-held assumption about muscle cell origins. The study uses 3D imaging to visualize sponges' contracted and expanded states, revealing a new understanding of the evolutionary development of musculature.
Ingo Schlupp, OU Department of Zoology associate professor, receives top award for evolutionary biology and animal behavior research. He will spend a year at University of Potsdam in Germany working on genomics of the Amazon molly.
A study using DNA from museum specimens reveals a clear pattern of amphibian decline linked to the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The researchers found that the fungus first appeared in southern Mexico in the early 1970s, spreading southward to Central America and causing mass extirpation of neotropical amphibians.
Giant hummingbirds use more energy for their body size than smaller hummingbirds do, but still below the upper metabolic limit. Asexual fish hybrids have lower physiological performance, possibly due to increased reproductive advantage over sexual dace. Small sea birds hold heat rather than increasing metabolism
A team of scientists used genetic sequencing and supercomputing to determine that Xyloplax is not a new class of animals but rather a rare example of natural selection shaping its life cycle. The study found that Xyloplax has a truncated life cycle, retaining juvenile features into adulthood.
Researchers detected a warning signal of impending ecosystem collapse in a Wisconsin lake by monitoring its complex signals and biological community changes. The study provides evidence that radical change can be foreseen, potentially preventing ecological catastrophe.
Researchers conclude that amphibian population declines are complex and multifaceted, driven by various natural forces and human activities such as habitat destruction, climate change, and disease. This understanding highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the crisis and avoid exacerbating the problem.
Researchers tracked increases in methylmercury levels in black-footed albatross feathers over 120 years, attributing them to human-generated emissions. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts in the Pacific Ocean, where mercury pollution poses a significant threat to endangered seabird species and human health.
Research reveals that host birds have evolved advanced strategies to fight back against brood parasitic cuckoos, including varying egg patterns and egg discrimination. These defenses make it harder for the cuckoo finch to lay accurate forgeries, ultimately outsmarting the parasite.
A group of experts has identified 40 critical environmental questions to guide scientific research and inform natural resource management. These questions aim to balance economic, social, and ecological considerations, facilitating collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a method to study lake-bottom sediments and infer fish death in acidified lakes. By analyzing microscopic remains of dead midge larvae, they can recreate the history of the lake back to the early 19th century.
A UBC study found that certain populations of Fraser River sockeye salmon are more likely to adapt to changing environmental conditions due to their unique migration routes and specialized physiological adaptations. These findings have implications for conservation efforts in other watersheds worldwide.
The ACS National Meeting featured symposia on nanotechnology, bioactives, and regenerative medicine, including sessions on cell-based therapeutics and novel biomaterials for tissue engineering. The meeting also highlighted innovative approaches to address global energy demands through biotechnology.