New research reveals that Asian jumping worms can strip forest floors and flood soil with nutrients at an alarming rate. This accelerated nutrient release may benefit plants initially, but also threatens to outcompete native species and contaminate groundwater sources.
A framework has been developed to help scientists predict when forests will be resilient enough to recover from fires, and when they will be drastically altered. The framework considers factors such as ecological memory, material legacies, and the impact of changing climate conditions on forest recovery.
Researchers found that Manx shearwaters suffered decreased breeding success when they had to spend more time rearing chicks, leading to delayed migration and reduced resting time. This study provides insights into the consequences of carry-over effects on migratory birds' annual cycles.
Mole rat castes were previously believed to be fixed throughout their lives, but a new study shows that individuals perform different roles at different ages. As they grow older, mole rats become more generalists, participating in various activities and contributing to cooperative efforts.
Researchers have discovered a novel trait evolution mechanism by studying cyclops-eyed beetles, which recruited existing genes to create new physical traits in adulthood. The study reveals that lingering gene expression can serve as a 'stepping stone' for recruiting genes into making new traits.
Researchers have discovered previously unknown regularities of arthropod limbs based on studies of the remipede Speleonectes tulumensis. The analysis revealed that mathematical formulas can predict the number of setae on each appendage, shedding light on the evolutionary mechanisms of these crustaceans.
Researchers at Bangor University have achieved a world first by using dragline silk from the golden web spider as an additional superlens to provide up to 2-3 times magnification. This innovation enables viewing of previously invisible structures, including nano-structures and biological micro-structures.
Spiders in large colonies can go extinct when they share food equitably, new UBC research reveals. The study found that large colonies struggle to capture prey, leading to massive die-offs.
Scientists have identified a clear distinction between two strains of mice susceptible to Ascaris infection, with the resistant strain showing an earlier immune response and more rapid tissue repair. The study suggests manipulating hepatic ROS levels may confer resistance to Ascaris in susceptible mice.
Scientists found that butterflies have an innate preference for specific leaf shapes and can learn to overcome this preference through experience. This learning ability promotes the evolution of plant biodiversity by favoring rare leaf shapes.
A new study reveals that the evolution of gut bacteria in humans and hominids parallels ape evolution, suggesting a long-term co-evolution between hosts and microbes. The research sheds light on the importance of the human microbiome and its connection to our evolutionary history.
Hummingbirds process visual information uniquely to navigate through dense vegetation at high speeds. They rely on the size of objects to determine distance and use image velocity to assess altitude.
The newly discovered Evemphyron sinense genus and species is a primitive weevil with peculiar features. It infests legume seedpods in China, unlike other closely related beetles that roll leaves to create nests.
In a groundbreaking study, pea plants were found to make choices that take into account environmental variance, similar to animal behavior. The plants grew more roots in pots with variable nutrient levels when conditions were poor and more roots in constant pots when conditions were good.
Researchers found that the elephantnose fish switches between electrical and visual senses for optimal perception, with its brain prioritizing reliable information. The fish demonstrated unexpected abilities, such as trusting electrical signals over visual stimuli at close range, and using a combination of senses for distant objects.
Researchers discovered two groups of brown bears in Turkey, one migrating between feeding and breeding sites, while the other stayed in a city dump all year round. This study highlights the impact of human-caused habitat fragmentation on bear behavior and conservation strategies.
Researchers found that lizard tails evolved differently based on the type of predator, with blue and UV light reflectance varying in communities with weasel or snake predators. A cryptic brown tail also emerged in island populations where birds are the primary predators.
Research reveals three common burrow features: a horizontal platform for monitoring and warming up, spiral bends to deter predators, and an enlarged terminal chamber for refuge and feeding. Burrow architecture may change in response to soil composition, hardness, and moisture.
Researchers found that females in the Chinese Hume Warbler species prefer males who sing simple songs over those with complex songs. This preference may be driven by the need to minimize predation risk and optimize nesting behavior.
Jerry Franklin, a professor at the University of Washington, has been named 2016's Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He is credited with pioneering research on old-growth forests and challenging clear-cutting practices to promote healthy forest ecosystems. His work has had a significant impact on forestry and fore...
Researchers found that archerfish can distinguish between up to 44 new faces, demonstrating impressive visual recognition capabilities. The study suggests that simple brains may be capable of complex tasks like facial recognition.
Researchers found that human activities drive disease distributions at local scales for diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, while climate change impacts regional scales. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple spatial scales to understand human ecological impacts on biodiversity and disease emergence.
Researchers have identified the genes responsible for producing the red pigment in bird species, linking it to detoxification processes and suggesting a link between mate quality and genetic fitness. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution and ecology of red coloration in birds.
Researchers discovered a unique 'hybrid' material in spider webs that maintains tautness even under stress. By mimicking this process, they created composite fibres with solid and liquid properties.
New research from the University of Oxford used bacteria to show that acquiring duplicate copies of genes can provide a template for developing new traits. Gene duplication has been proposed as playing a key role in innovation since the 1970s, but these findings add important empirical evidence to support this theory.
A comprehensive analysis of leopards' status reveals that the species has lost approximately 75 percent of its historic range, from around 35 million square kilometers to 8.5 million square kilometers. This decline is primarily due to habitat loss and human activities such as farming, livestock grazing, and poaching.
Researchers discovered an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and dung beetles, with the first molecular evidence indicating their origins in the Lower Cretaceous period. The study suggests that the incorporation of flowering plants in dinosaurs' diet led to a new niche for evolution.
Researchers estimate cheetah populations in the Maasai Mara to be lower than previously thought, with an average of 1.28 adult cheetahs per 100km2. The 'spatially explicit' method used can distinguish between visiting and resident animals, providing a more accurate count.
Researchers found that muscle destruction must precede ligament destruction for vertebral retraction to occur. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the death of dinosaurs like Sinosauropteryx.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that all-female mole salamanders can regenerate tail tissue at 1.5 times the rate of their heterosexual counterparts, with a 10-week timeline compared to 14 weeks for males. This faster regeneration may be attributed to genetic differences and reproductive strategies.
A specific gene, HMGA2, has been identified as the key to the evolution of smaller beaks in medium ground finches in response to a drought-induced food shortage. The researchers found that the gene comes in two forms, with one dominant in birds with small beaks and the other in those with large beaks.
Researchers found striking similarities between the genetic mechanism used in human limb development and that of skate embryos' gill arches. The study suggests that limbs may have evolved from sharks' gills via a critical gene called Sonic hedgehog, supporting a century-old theory.
Scientists have created an optogenetic tool that can control specific G-protein-coupled signalling pathways in the brain with high temporal precision. By using different-coloured light, researchers can switch these pathways on and off, offering new insights into the role of certain signalling pathways in disease.
Researchers propose using 'sticky molecules' like IgA to target good bacteria in the gut, preventing pathogenic species from taking hold. This approach has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography finds that drought following wildfires hinders forest recovery in the Rocky Mountains. The research shows that forests are not adapting quickly enough to climate change, with subalpine tree species being negatively impacted by warm, dry conditions.
A study of 200 years reveals a steady loss of butterfly species in nature conservation areas, which are largely ineffective in protecting them. The decline is attributed to high emissions of reactive nitrogen, promoting the growth of plants that outcompete larval host plants and alter nutrient composition.
The 2016 UW-Madison Cool Science Image contest winners were selected based on scientific content and aesthetic qualities. The contest showcased images and videos from atmospheric science to zoology, including a pinhole camera image of the sun and a micrograph of breast tissue.
Researchers observed striped hyenas joining grey wolf packs in the Negev desert, suggesting a mutually beneficial relationship. The unlikely alliance may have arisen from necessity, with hyenas utilizing their keen sense of smell and wolves leveraging their agility to tackle prey.
A new study reveals that adolescent female giant pandas disperse farther from their home ranges during mating season, rivaling males in distances moved. This behavior is uncommon in mammals and has significant implications for conservation efforts.
A recent study has identified nearly 2,000 species of looper moths in the Andes mountains. The researchers used DNA barcodes to categorize and identify the species, revealing a higher diversity than previously estimated.
Researchers studied oysters at six sites in Great Bay over a three-year period to quantify nitrogen dynamics and assess the role of oyster farms. They found that farmed oysters varied depending on size, farm site, age, seasonal variability, water quality, and time of harvest.
A study from the University of Otago suggests that low levels of chlorpyrifos in bees can lead to severe learning and memory deficits. Researchers found that even 'safe' doses of the pesticide affect odour-learning abilities and recall, potentially threatening bee survival.
Researchers have discovered a 520-million-year-old fossilized nervous system, providing the most detailed example yet found. The fossil, from southern China, has revealed individual nerves visible for the first time in a fossil of this age.
Researchers at University of British Columbia found that human-induced introduction of new species can cause 'reverse speciation', where two similar species merge into one hybrid species. This shift has significant consequences for the ecosystem, altering ecological roles and impacting biodiversity.
A recent study found that human influence has accelerated the rate of species change in Wisconsin prairies, with some sites having fewer than 18% of original species and more than 60% non-native species. Controlled fires are being shown to be beneficial for restoring native habitat.
Scientists discovered advanced social behavior in 100-million-year-old amber, revealing that ants and termites had sophisticated caste systems tens of millions of years earlier than thought. The fossils preserved the presence of different castes, including queen ants and workers, as well as eusocial behaviors such as combat and foraging.
Biologists from Moscow State University found new luminescent creatures in the Red Sea, with unique fluorescent patterns that can help identify different species. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals insights into the role of glow in attracting prey and exploring symbiotic relationships.
A new study found that New Zealand's little penguin species is a recently introduced Australian invader, replacing the native species that was hunted by early human settlers and introduced predators. The Australian penguins arrived in Otago between 1500 and 1900 AD.
Researchers found that dominant ant species in tropical rainforests consume the majority of food resources, making ecosystems vulnerable. The study also revealed that efficient species can dominate systems, increasing resource turnover but making them more vulnerable to decline.
Agricultural expansion is a leading cause of wild species loss and greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, researchers propose "land-sparing mechanisms" that link yield increases with habitat protection, such as zoning and smart subsidy schemes. By minimizing farming's footprint, land can be spared for conserving natural habitats.
Research shows Aegean wall lizards select rocks with colors matching their backs to reduce visibility to birds, boosting camouflage effectiveness. This behavioral defense is more evident on islands with higher bird species and in female lizards.
A study by Sarah Benson-Amram and colleagues found that carnivore species with larger brains relative to their body size were more successful in solving a novel problem-solving task, with bears being the most successful and meerkats and mongooses being the least. The results support the theory that brain size predicts cognitive abilities.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reed warblers employ a 'neighbourhood watch' system to detect and eject cuckoo eggs, taking into account both personal and social cues. By combining information from close surveillance and neighbourly mobbing, warblers can assess levels of risk and protect their nests.
Researchers at Oxford University conducted a series of experiments that challenged traditional economic game assumptions. The results showed that people are more generous towards computers, which cannot benefit from cooperation, and that misunderstanding the game can lead to altruism in some cases.
Scientists found that larger animals require more sticking power, but have less body surface area available to cover with sticky footpads. Geckos' unique footpads set a size limit for adhesive-based climbing strategies, making it impossible for humans to climb like Spiderman.
Online citizen science project Space Warps has made significant contributions to astrophysics, discovering 29 new gravitational lenses and a novel lensing scenario. The involvement of thousands of volunteer scientists has demonstrated the value of human pattern recognition in analyzing vast datasets.
Researchers found that different color patches on butterfly wings are controlled by independent genetic switches, which can be mixed and matched between species to create new patterns. This phenomenon allows butterflies to share common warning signs with predators, a form of mimicry.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found that Protoceratops' large bony frill increased in size as the animal matured, suggesting it played a role in attracting mates. The study provides the first demonstration of sexual selection in dinosaurs and sheds light on the evolution of ornamental structures.
Researchers warn that dam projects on Amazon, Congo, and Mekong rivers put many unique fish species at risk due to habitat disruption and human displacement. An improved approach to dam evaluation and siting is needed to balance costs and benefits of hydropower.
Scientists used a database of 418 plant species to analyze patterns in growth, reproduction, and survival. They found that two characteristics - growth rate and reproduction strategy - can predict population growth and response to disturbances.