Consuelo De Moraes at Penn State has received a $100,000 grant to investigate the link between malaria infection and odor cues that attract mosquitoes. Her research aims to identify a chemical signature of malaria infection, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools.
Researchers found that resistant wheat plants under attack by Hessian fly larvae increase production of surface waxes and cutin, a molecule responsible for rigidity and integrity of epidermal cells. Susceptible plants have genes turned off, making them more permeable to the larvae.
Thomas Miller, UCR entomologist, to advise State Department on biotechnology and pest management globally. He will also engage with non-specialists and travel to embassies to share expertise.
Researchers found that paper wasps and honey bees rely on the same network of genes to guide their social behavior, including division of labor and brain activity. The study identified over 4,900 genes active in the wasp brain, confirming a genetic toolkit shared by both species.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a bacterium, Wolbachia, that can stop the dengue virus from replicating in mosquitoes, blocking disease transmission. The study provides new hope for controlling dengue fever, which affects 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Researchers discovered that odorous house ant colonies grow exponentially in urban environments, forming complex networks with millions of workers. This phenomenon raises questions about the impact on native species and potentially informs better pest control strategies.
Researchers found that female moths outgrow their male counterparts by initiating a developmental change later in life, resulting in larger adult moths. This study provides insight into the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in moths, highlighting the importance of early developmental stages in determining adult body size.
May R. Berenbaum, a renowned entomologist, has been awarded the AAAS Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award for her extraordinary ability to integrate scientific discovery with public outreach. Her work has had a significant impact on fields such as chemical ecology, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
A team of researchers has completed a new analysis of the evolutionary relationships among arthropods, providing a solid grasp of what those relationships are. The study makes a major contribution to our understanding of the nature and origins of the planet's biodiversity.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that resistant wheat plants stave off attacks by Hessian fly larvae by destroying their midgut and preventing nutrient absorption. The study found that the midgut disruption is caused by a toxic substance called lectin, which is produced by the plant in response to the fly's presence.
A common plant virus attracts aphids by elevating the odor cue of infected plants without changing it. The insects transmit the disease efficiently despite leaving quickly, implying a persistent mode of transmission beyond agriculture.
Michigan State University scientists found that diverse biofuel plantings attract more beneficial insects than single crops like corn. The research suggests that biofuel policies should consider the added benefits of insect attraction to inform policy decisions.
A nearly $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support research on the potential effects of climate change on infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which annually infect 500 million people worldwide. The project aims to quantify how environmental temperature influences disease transmission and risk.
Researchers at Emory University have developed the Prokopack mosquito aspirator, a low-cost, efficient tool for monitoring adult mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. The device outperforms current gold standards in field and lab tests, providing insights into mosquito ecology and behavior.
Researchers found that nutrient enrichment caused a steady increase in organisms lower on the food chain but had no effect on predators like salamanders and macroinvertebrates. The study suggests that maintaining patterns of energy flow between predators and prey is critical for healthy ecosystems.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered proteins that can channel sodium ions through the cell membranes of Varroa mites, a parasite that devastates commercial bee colonies. This breakthrough could lead to more effective controls and reduce the need for toxic pesticides.
A new study analyzes data from five continents to conclude that existing strategies can be used to predict, monitor and manage insect resistance. By understanding what accelerates and delays resistance, farmers can more effectively thwart pest resistance using tactics like refuge strategy and pyramided crops.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a fruit fly model to study the genetics of human diabetes. The model uses genetic approaches to delete specific genes involved in insulin production, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and symptoms similar to human Type 1 diabetes.
Researchers at UC Davis have identified nonanal as the dominant odor naturally produced in humans and birds that attracts Culex mosquitoes, a key step towards controlling mosquito-borne diseases. The study also found that combining nonanal with carbon dioxide increases trap captures by over 50%.
A widely used virus assay has been shown to be inaccurate in detecting and measuring replicating viral RNA. Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a novel assay that detects anti-genomic copies of the viral genome, which is more accurate than existing methods.
Researchers have discovered a new giant golden orb weaver spider species, Nephila komaci, in South Africa and Madagascar, which is the largest web-spinning spider known to science. The female spiders of this species can reach up to 1.5 inches in body length, while males are significantly smaller.
Three UC Riverside entomologists, Timothy Paine, Bradley Mullens and Allison Hansen have won prestigious awards from the Entomological Society of America. Paine received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology for his work on improving integrated pest management of woody ornamental plants.
The Entomological Society of America announced the Editor's Choice Awards for 2008, recognizing outstanding articles in various journals. The awards honored authors who made significant contributions to entomology, including research on termite invasions, gypsy moth distribution, and insect-vector relationships.
The Entomological Society of America has recognized outstanding achievements in entomology through its 2009 awards. Notably, Dr. Shripat T. Kamble received the Honorary Member award, while Dr. Timothy D. Paine was honored with the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology.
Researchers at Iowa State University are exploring a new method of controlling soybean aphids without using chemical pesticides. They aim to genetically modify soybeans to produce a toxin that is lethal to aphids but harmless to mammals.
Researchers at Clemson University will receive $2 million from the NSF to mimic butterflies' suction mechanism for feeding. This method can be used in medical diagnostics and will help develop new fiber-based devices capable of probing hard-to-reach liquids.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a novel class of compounds that could pave the way for developing inexpensive and safe mosquito repellents. These odorants, including hexanol and 2,3-butanedione, prevent CO2-sensitive neurons in mosquitoes from functioning.
A genomic study has identified a plausible cause of colony collapse disorder in honey bees. The research found that the loss of ribosomal function, caused by viral infections and other stressors, contributes to the mysterious disappearance of American honey bees.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that environmental factors can alter aggression levels in honey bees. By analyzing gene expression patterns in response to alarm pheromone, the team found similarities between short-term and long-term changes, suggesting a connection between nurture and nature.
A CSIRO-led study is investigating the use of a rust fungus to control Cape tulip weeds in Australian pastures. The research aims to determine the aggressiveness of the rust on Cape tulips and its potential for biological control, with initial results promising.
Researchers found that daily temperature fluctuations significantly impact malaria parasite growth and transmission rates. In areas with cooler temperatures, a fluctuation of 45 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the parasites' incubation period, making them infectious nearly two weeks earlier.
Researchers found that sagebrush plants can communicate danger to their clones by emitting volatile cues, allowing them to avoid being eaten by herbivores. This complex behavior suggests that plants are capable of more sophisticated behavior than previously thought.
Researchers at UC Davis have received a $750,000 grant to investigate a novel therapeutic target for treating inflammation and diagnosing asthma. The study will use metabolomics to evaluate the effectiveness of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors in asthma treatment.
Researchers found that combining bed bugs' alarm pheromones with desiccant dusts made treatment more effective at killing the bugs. The blend of two pheromones applied in concert with a silica gel desiccant dust proved to be the most lethal combination.
Researchers at UC Riverside will explore the development of novel olfactory repellents to prevent mosquito-human contact and reduce malaria transmission. The project aims to identify odors that inhibit mosquitoes' ability to detect human hosts, potentially leading to effective and environmentally safe insect repellents.
A team of Penn State entomologists is searching for an insect disease that will infect mosquitoes and impair their sense of smell. By doing so, they hope to reduce the ability of infected mosquitoes to find human hosts and transmit malaria.
Using integrated pest management (IPM) can significantly reduce cockroach populations and associated allergen concentrations in schools. A new study found that IPM is more effective than conventional methods in reducing asthma incidences among inner-city children.
UC Riverside entomologists discover that Argentine ants use a different mechanism to recognize dead nestmates, triggered by the dissipation of life chemicals. The researchers found that live ants produce both life and death chemicals, while dead ants only produce death chemicals, leading to their removal from the colony.
A new study suggests that human behavior, such as installing large domestic water tanks, may enable the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti to re-emerge in Australia and expand its range of possible infections. By 2050, the risk of dengue fever is expected to be high in all capital cities around the country.
Research found that tiny mites living on Madagascar hissing cockroaches decrease the presence of molds, reducing allergic responses. The mites eat saliva and debris, eliminating material that fosters mold growth on the insects' bodies.
Researchers found that soybean plants colonized with naturally occurring rhizobia had lower aphid densities than those with commercial or artificially fertilized plants. The plants produced the same level of nitrogen regardless of the type of rhizobia used, suggesting a potential tool for protecting plants from insect herbivory.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have received a $3.557 million grant from NIAID to develop vector-specific, resistance-breaking insecticides that could render traditional ITNs ineffective. The new compounds are designed to be safer for humans while maintaining significant insecticidal activity against malaria mosquitoes.
Late-acting insecticides targeting older mosquitoes show potential to reduce malaria transmission by 95% and slow down resistance. The approach could lead to evolution-proof insecticides that never become obsolete.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to controlling malaria by killing only older mosquitoes, reducing the selection for resistant insects. This method could lead to evolution-proof insecticides that never become obsolete, saving millions of dollars in development costs.
Researchers are racing against time to find ways to combat the wheat curl mite, a nemesis of the region's wheat crop. The mites are vectored by three viruses: wheat streak mosaic virus, wheat mosaic virus, and Triticum mosaic virus, with Texas being the hot spot for all three.
Charles Summers, a University of California entomologist, has won the prestigious Woodworth Award for his contributions to entomology. He developed economic thresholds and management strategies for various crops, reducing pesticide use and improving yields.
Researchers found female termite primary queens can produce both sexually and asexually reproducing babies, mostly growing into queen successors with no inbreeding risk. Asexual reproduction allows colonies to grow faster while maintaining genetic diversity.
The Sibbett Group's interconnected garden design won the international bee-friendly garden competition from Häagen-Dazs and UC Davis. The garden will provide a year-round food source for honey bees and raise public awareness about their plight, aiming to inspire visitors to plant bee-friendly gardens.
A new NC State University study reveals that fruit flies have a genetically wired sleep pattern, with males sleeping more during the day and females having more frequent bouts of sleep. The research identified 1,700 genes associated with sleep variability, shedding light on how these genes may influence human sleep.
A new enzyme developed by CSIRO Australia successfully removes over 90% of atrazine from contaminated water in a trial, providing a promising solution to reduce off-farm water contamination. The enzyme works against various triazine herbicides and is expected to benefit farmers worldwide.
Climate change is altering malaria patterns due to daily temperature fluctuations, which can affect the incubation period of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. This can lead to changes in transmission rates, with warmer temperatures potentially increasing the risk of infection.
A new study redefines the boundaries of viruses, highlighting their complex relationships with hosts. The genes that encode beneficial viruses in wasps are integrated into the wasp's chromosomes, blurring the line between host and virus.
A new species of fruit fly emerged after changing its mating behavior, while parasitic wasps evolved to prey on the flies' larvae. This study shows biodiversity feeds on itself, opening up niches for other species.
A study published in Science shows that when the apple maggot shifted hosts from hawthorn to European apples, it triggered a cascade of evolutionary changes in a parasitic wasp. The research reveals the process of speciation in action and sheds light on biodiversity's role in creating new species.
Isolongifolenone, a natural compound found in the Tauroniro tree, has been proven effective in deterring mosquito bites and repelling ticks. The findings suggest that isolongifolenone could be a cost-effective alternative to DEET for protecting against blood-feeding arthropods.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a new class of drugs that can reduce heart swelling and reverse heart failure. The study, led by cardiologist Nipavan Chiamvimonvat and entomologist Bruce Hammock, found that the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase plays a key role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that male and female mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) create a harmonic duet just before mating. The frequency of this duet is approximately 400-600 hertz for the female and 600-1200 hertz for the male, significantly above previously thought limits.
Researchers found that honey bees on cocaine exaggerate their dances, regardless of food quality or hive status. The study supports the idea that insects have a reward system motivated by feelings of pleasure.
Research by Michigan State University scientists found that monoculture corn landscapes reduce beneficial insects' ability to control pests, increasing pesticide use and yield losses. The study estimates the value of biological pest control service in soybeans to be about $240 million each year.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered how mosquitoes control the pathogenicity of viruses, using short-interfering RNAs to modulate disease. By altering the virus genome, the team found a way to upset the balance, potentially targeting mosquito-borne diseases.