Dr. Clyde Goulden, a pioneering ecologist, received the Order of the Polar Star for his long-term research on climate change in Mongolia. Dr. Jon Gelhaus, Academy curator of entomology, received the Khubilai Khan gold medal for his scientific contributions to Mongolia's biological science and training of young scientists.
The FMC Corporation has funded STEM career days for approximately 1,200 Philadelphia public school students and their teachers. The events aim to showcase career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
Dr. Douglas J. Futuyma, a renowned evolutionary biologist, will receive the Joseph Leidy Award for his outstanding research and ability to communicate complex ideas to scientists and students alike. The symposium on biodiversity will explore current and future research on the diversity of life with a focus on evolutionary biology.
Dr. Jon Gelhaus, a Philadelphia scientist, received the 'Best Scientist in Nature and Environment' medal for his significant contributions to Mongolian Environmental Science. He is leading a multinational effort to improve water quality monitoring and standards in Mongolia.
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.
The Academy of Natural Sciences will host two science career days for 800 6th-8th grade students and their teachers, providing hands-on learning experiences with local scientists. The event aims to showcase various STEM career opportunities and help teachers integrate math and science into their curriculum.
A study published in Science reveals that Amazonian biodiversity is linked to the geological history of the Andes, dating back to the past 20 million years. The researchers argue that studies aiming to understand Amazonian forests' evolution need to look further back in time.
After a decade-long search, Audubon's first published bird illustration of a running grouse has been discovered. The find sheds light on Audubon's development as an artist and provides a rare view of the Heath Hen, a subspecies that became extinct in the early 19th century.
The Academy of Natural Sciences' Ewell Sale Stewart Library has been accepted into the Biodiversity Heritage Library, a global initiative to preserve scientific literature on biodiversity. Over 35,500 volumes have been scanned and digitized, with over 14 million pages now available online.
The Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) program at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Eileen Fisher to promote science education among low-income girls. The program has shown remarkable success rates, with 100% of advanced students graduating and 97% continuing to college.
A new study published in Nature sheds light on the complex changes that occurred during the transition from aquatic to terrestrial lifestyles, including the evolution of limbs and internal head skeleton. The research reveals that Tiktaalik roseae, a transitional fossil, exhibits features of both fish-like and tetrapod characteristics.
Researchers will catalog and preserve diverse mollusk species in the Philippines, aiming to discover new products for central nervous system disorders, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs. The project also seeks to develop cellulosic biofuels production using enzymes from shipworms.
The new Center for Environmental Policy will evaluate key environmental issues, build public awareness, and recommend science-based policies. The center aims to engage disparate parties in the environmental debate and provide practical solutions for managing natural resources.
The Academy of Natural Sciences has received a $99,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to digitize approximately 9,000 sheets of mostly Latin American and African type plant specimens. This will enable researchers to access these valuable resources online, complementing their research in large herbaria and libraries.
A new species of catfish, Rhinodoras gallagheri, has been named in honor of Frank Gallagher, a retired Academy of Natural Sciences mailroom supervisor. The Orinoco thicklip catfish was discovered in the Academy's collection and is found in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia.
The Academy's Asia Center aims to study, protect, and sustainably use environmental resources in Asia. Researchers will train faculty and students to monitor Lake Tai in China and apply knowledge to address climate change and water quality issues.
Dr. Clyde Goulden, a veteran scientist, received Mongolia's Friendship Medal for his climate change studies contributing to the global understanding of global warming. He has developed relations between the U.S. and Mongolia and promoted environmental research in the country.
Researchers found that when species colonize the deep sea, large-bodied species become smaller and small-bodied species become larger. This pattern is consistent with the island rule, which states that isolated animals evolve to be larger or smaller based on their environment.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is digitizing historic plant type specimens, featuring over 30,000 samples from the 18th century. This project provides a valuable resource for researchers worldwide, particularly those in developing countries with limited access to research libraries and herbaria.
The discovery of Tiktaalik roseae fills the evolutionary gap between fish and limbed animals, revealing a gradual transition from water to land. The fossil shows characteristics of both fish and tetrapods, indicating that life on land evolved gradually in shallow waters.
Researchers have discovered consistent genetic differences in the southern house mosquito, explaining the geographical distribution of disease-transmitting strains. The study found that different strains of the mosquito are responsible for serious diseases like elephantiasis and West Nile virus.
Dr. David Wake will receive the prestigious Joseph Leidy Award for his groundbreaking work in conservation biology and systematics on worldwide amphibian decline. The award recognizes his contributions to understanding the complex causes of this alarming phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered a new catfish species in the Lacantún river of southern Chiapas state in Mexico, representing the 37th family of catfishes. The discovery highlights the vast knowledge gap in Mesoamerica's biotic legacy and conservation value.
A group of 25 scientists has developed a comprehensive database of 37,099 river restoration projects to draw conclusions about regional and national trends in project numbers, costs, and environmental benefits. The study highlights the need for further research on the environmental effects of different restoration practices.
Researchers Drs. Melanie Vile and David Velinsky are studying the effects of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion on tidal marsh ecosystem services in the Delaware Estuary. Tidal marshes provide crucial functions such as storm buffering, shoreline stabilization, and fish nursery habitats.