A study published in PLOS ONE found that female Komodo Dragons live significantly shorter lives than males, with an average lifespan of 32 years compared to 60 years. The research suggests that females invest excessive energy in building nests and guarding eggs for up to six months, leading to reduced body size and weight.
Researchers found that fruit flies can shift their preference towards more nutritional food sources in as little as four hours when hungry. Blocking insulin signaling increased the flies' preference for nutritious sugars, highlighting the importance of metabolic roles in feeding behavior.
The South Central Climate Science Center has received funding for seven projects, including studies on terrestrial connectivity, marsh types, and submersed aquatic vegetation in the Gulf of Mexico. These projects aim to improve management decisions for wildlife populations and coastal ecosystems.
A new cave-dwelling reef coral species, Leptoseris troglodyta, has been discovered in the Indo-Pacific region. This species differs from its relatives by its small polyp size and lack of symbiotic algae, providing insights into coral-algal symbiosis.
Researchers found a 100 million-year-old fossil of an ancient spider attacking its prey caught in its web. The discovery provides the oldest evidence of social behavior in spiders and offers a unique glimpse into the distant past.
Researchers mapped the wildly divergent migration routes of two British Columbia subspecies of Swainson's thrushes using geolocators. The study reveals key feeding and rest habitats relied on by birds during their long journey, potentially informing conservation efforts.
A Tel Aviv University researcher is using fruit flies to study the functioning of neurons and potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease. By genetically modifying flies to express a protein linked to human Alzheimer's, she hopes to unlock its function and develop new therapies.
Researchers developed a new method to identify proteins secreted by cells, eliminating drawbacks of traditional approaches. This technique isolates the 'secretory pathway' organelles and analyzes their contents using mass spectrometry, providing precise data on cell biology.
International experts warn about the adverse effects of exposure to light at night, particularly LED lighting, on circadian rhythms in nature and human health. The panel highlighted the harm caused by short-wavelength illumination to various species, including mammals, birds, and plants.
Researchers have created a genetic mouse model to study primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition affecting one in a hundred women. The model replicates the effects of POI on ovaries and fertility, providing new insights into its causes and potential treatments.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a treatment for coral infected with White Plague disease, a deadly bacterium that causes 9% of Favia favus corals to die. The treatment uses viruses that infect bacteria, providing a breakthrough in developing regionalized treatments.
Researchers created digital organisms in Avida to study mate attraction, finding that even costless displays evolved as indicators of genetic quality. This challenges traditional theories on ornamental displays serving as signals for virility.
The Entomological Society of America has selected three new entomologists, Dr. Elizabeth F. Beckmeyer, Dr. Steve Clement, and Dr. Victoria Y. Yokoyama, as Honorary Members for their 20+ years of significant involvement in the Society's affairs. They will be honored at the Awards Ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee this November.
A team of scientists has discovered the oldest record of arthropods, including insects and mites, preserved in 100 million-year-old amber. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provide new insights into the evolution of life on Earth.
A recent study by San Diego Zoo Global researchers found that giant pandas make specific choices when selecting trees for scent marking. The choice of tree is influenced by factors such as bark roughness, presence of moss on the trunk, tree diameter, and distance to trails.
Research reveals that paternal obesity negatively impacts fetal development, resulting in smaller fetuses and poor pregnancy success. Men are advised to get match fit before conceiving to support healthy fetal growth and reduce long-term health risks for the offspring
Researchers found a direct relationship between the brightness of European paper wasps' colours and the size of their poison glands. This colouration serves as an honest signal to predators that the wasp is strong and healthy, potentially wasting energy on bright patterns.
New studies reveal that changes in precipitation play a significant role in driving bird species out of their normal range, contradicting the conventional reliance on temperature. The research also found a sharp decrease in range for the Belding's ground squirrel, but identified areas where the species found refuge.
A new study found that female hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus) are attracted to cadavers by a combination of cadaver odour and male sex pheromones. The females only respond when both the odor and pheromones are present, optimizing their chances of reproductive success.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found a type of 'selfish' mitochondrial DNA in animals that is hurting the organism and affecting its chance to survive. The discovery bears similarities to damage done to human cells as they age and may provide an important new tool to study human aging.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that hyenas that tried multiple solutions and took risks were more successful in solving a steel puzzle box. The study suggests that large brains may enable hyenas to think flexibly and come up with novel solutions.
The first cross-disciplinary conference on Public Participation in Scientific Research will bring together experts from various fields to share ideas and form new communities. Citizen science projects have recruited non-specialists to contribute to real scientific questions, multiplying data collection by orders of magnitude. The confe...
Research found that wild boars with more reddish hair have higher levels of oxidative stress due to the consumption of glutathione by pheomelanin production. However, surprisingly, gray-haired boars showed signs of good condition and lower oxidative damage. This study suggests that different levels of melanin may have physiological con...
Researchers found that southern dumpling squid's prolonged mating rituals result in temporary muscle fatigue, affecting their swimming ability for up to 30 minutes. This discovery provides new insight into the evolution of reproductive strategies and behaviours.
Climate change, pollution, and invasive species are driving mortality in amphibians due to infectious disease, leading to extinctions rates 200 times higher than background extinction rates. Understanding these complex forces is crucial for addressing amphibian declines and emerging infections in humans.
The yak genome provides new insights into high-altitude adaptation, with distinct gene expansions related to sensory perception and energy metabolism. The study also identified genes that may play important roles in regulating body response to hypoxia and optimizing energy from poor foods.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals substantial increases in plastic pollution along the northern Pacific coast, with 92.5% of beached northern fulmars found to contain plastics
A study published in Aging Cell found that naked mole rats have high levels of the neuroprotective protein NRG-1, which is linked to their unusually long lifespan. The research suggests that this protein may be a key factor in maintaining brain health and preventing age-related decline.
Hyrax vocalizations encode information on identity, age, hormone levels, and social rank. Singing promotes self-presentation and facilitates communication among the group.
Researchers found that male blue tits make fewer hunting trips to feed their brood if their mates have UV-reflecting crowns smeared with chemicals. However, they continue to protect and defend their chicks equally well as males with non-UV-treated females.
Researchers discover 9 new genera of ants in the Philippines, bringing the total to 474 known species. Habitat destruction threatens these unique communities and many more remain unexplored.
Research suggests that high anxiety can make male California mice poor fathers, while stress hormone vasopressin may influence paternal behavior. The study found that anxious males were less likely to approach a pup and had higher levels of vasopressin in their brains.
A sweeping review of 20 years of research finds that biodiversity loss diminishes ecosystem services essential for human health and prosperity. Genetic diversity enhances crop yields, wood production, and fodder, while plant diversity increases resistance to invasive species and pathogens.
Bess B. Ward has received the 2012 Procter & Gamble Award in Applied and Environmental Microbiology for her sustained influence on marine microbiology and contributions to understanding nitrogen cycling processes in low-oxygen regions of the ocean.
A study by Queen's University researcher Troy Murphy found female birds with more colourful bills have higher antibody levels, indicating greater strength and ability to fight off invaders. The colour of a female bird's bill is strongly correlated with immunoglobulin antibodies, a component of the immune system in birds.
Researchers use a historic fire to model the sensitivity of a natural sensor found in fire beetles. The study reveals that these sensors can detect extremely low levels of heat, rivaling those of radio telescopes.
Researchers found that birds with multiple plumage colour forms evolve into new species faster than those with only one colour form. The study, published in Nature, used decades of data and genetic information to confirm a 60-year-old evolution theory.
Research in the Eurasian Steppes reveals horse domestication originated from a single founder population, with herds restocked with wild horses as they spread across Eurasia. The large number of female lineages in the domestic horse gene pool is explained by later introductions of local wild mares.
Brown-headed cowbird females are attracted to less intense wing spreading, feather puffing, and bowing during a display. This study reveals the opposite of what was previously predicted by sexual selection theory. The researchers used audiovisual recordings to investigate the female's response to male displays.
Fossil discovery reveals ancient flea-like animals that could feed on dinosaur skin, leading to a painful bite experience. The creatures, similar to modern fleas but much larger, had flat bodies and long claws.
A study of monitor lizards found that midsize lizards are the fastest, suggesting that larger size can create biomechanical constraints. The researchers discovered that above a certain size, lizards change their running style, making them slower.
Researchers found that larger, younger, and more fertile females increase the chances of successful fertilization for males. Monogamous behavior, where males mate with one female, is favored in early morning mating, while bigynous males opt for second mates if they cannot secure a first mate.
A study revealed that ancient viruses, which infected ancestors as far back as the age of dinosaurs, became widespread in mammals' genomes due to a loss of cell infectivity. This led to a dramatic increase in viral genetic material, resembling the spread of 'superspreaders' during epidemic outbreaks.
A study found that stressed lizard mothers gave birth to smaller, but healthier, offspring with larger fat reserves, which may enhance their survival in a post-natal stressful world. Stressed mothers themselves were also more physically fit after giving birth, prioritizing self-preservation.
Researchers found bands of fast and slow growth in Edmontosaurus fossils, indicating periodic seasonal stresses. The study suggests these dinosaurs adapted to Arctic conditions by living year-round, rather than migrating to warmer regions.
The ACS president will focus on climate science, graduate education, and commemorating the Morrill Land Grant Act. The initiative aims to advance chemistry through research, education, and innovation, while communicating its value to society.
A new study suggests that climate change could impact Antarctic fur seals in their first few months of life by altering energy budgets. The research found that as pups get older, less energy is available for growth and development.
Weaver ants share a collective memory of rival ant odors, which helps them identify and compete with rivals. This collective memory gives the colony an edge in competition by priming all nest mates with information about rivals before they encounter them.
A new study reveals a significant decline in the genetic diversity of alpine chipmunks in Yosemite National Park due to climate change. The species' geographic range has shifted to higher elevations over the past 90 years, resulting in fragmented and genetically impoverished populations.
Researchers developed new drugs targeting calcium channel in neurons to completely suppress absence seizures in rats and test them in humans. The results show a significant reduction in seizure duration as well.
Researchers use DNA barcoding to identify parasitic worms in canned food, ruling out contamination and ensuring kosher certification. The study's findings confirm that the food remains kosher despite the presence of roundworms.
Forty-two UBC researchers participated in official press briefings and public events, including Family Science Days and a series of lectures on sustainability and brain imaging. The University is also offering a pre-conference tour of its Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability.
A study found that boosting male garter snake estrogen levels causes them to secrete the same pheromones as females, attracting multiple males. The research confirms estrogen's powerful role in biology and has implications for environmental impact.
Scientists have discovered a 20-million-year-old fossil of a bat fly, which has been entombed in amber and preserved its details. The find reveals that bat flies have been parasitizing bats for at least half as long as the mammal group has existed.
John Waterbury, a WHOI scientist emeritus, has been awarded the NAS Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal for his path-breaking discovery and characterization of ecologically important marine microorganisms. This achievement marked major advances in understanding marine food webs and nutrient cycling in ocean ecosystems.
The new malaria maps provide unprecedented detail on the current global pattern of the disease, allowing researchers to track changes over time. The maps reveal complex variations in malaria risk across the globe, highlighting the need for targeted resources and tailored approaches to controlling the disease.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa report that native forest birds are experiencing prolonged molting periods due to increased competition with introduced Japanese white-eye birds. This change in molt timing and duration is associated with food scarcity and has significant implications for bird survival and growth.
A team of scientists has discovered communities of previously unknown species on the seafloor near Antarctica, clustered in hot, dark environments surrounding hydrothermal vents. The findings include new species of yeti crab, starfish, barnacles, and potentially an octopus.
Researchers found that hatcheries rapidly select for fish with exceptional survival and adaptation abilities, at the cost of their reproductive success in the wild. This study confirms 'domestication selection' as a primary driver of genetic changes in hatchery-born salmon.
Researchers plotted evolutionary relationships of 150 plant species based on advanced genome-wide analysis, providing insights into genetic basis of diversity. The study resolves the long-standing problem of producing an unequivocal evolutionary tree of seed plants.