Scientists have discovered how flies track chemical plumes in still air using a combination of environmental cues and innate behaviors. By remotely controlling neurons on the antennae of flying fruit flies, researchers have uncovered two automatic search strategies: sink-and-circle and cast-and-surge behavior.
A recent study found that a hybrid variety of cactus pear produced eight times more biomass than the poorest performing variety, making it an attractive water-efficient source of biofuel. The research built on earlier findings and identified high-production varieties suitable for producing biomass under semi-arid conditions.
The University of Nevada, Reno researchers developed new digital mapping tools that provide managers with better information to make large-scale decisions on mitigating effects of grazing, wildfire and other disruptions. The technology uses robust machine learning analysis of environmental variables to create high-quality vegetation maps.
Researchers will collect empirical data on biosafety and biosecurity practices among practitioners, policymakers, and experts to inform the development of innovative policies and procedures. The project aims to expand participation by diverse experts in governance discussions and policy engagement.
A University of Nevada, Reno study links strategic grazing to increased food supply for the greater sage-grouse, a keystone species in the Great Basin region. The research found that targeted grazing can boost insect populations and flowering plant growth, benefiting the species' reproductive phase.
Macroscale controls determine the recovery of river ecosystem productivity following flood disturbances. The study suggests that rivers can take months to recover from major floods.
A recent study compiled over 125,000 river locations across 93 countries, showing that hypoxia in rivers is more prevalent than previously thought. The research found that 12.6% of all locations exhibited at least one hypoxic measurement, with warmer, smaller, and lower-gradient waters being most affected.
New measurement technologies will support the global effort to reduce airborne mercury levels. The study improves accuracy and efficiency in quantifying ambient reactive mercury.
A recent study led by the University of Nevada, Reno and the Pan American Health Organization suggests that the adoption of front-of-pack nutrition labeling can help reduce poor-nutrition related non-communicable diseases in the region. Improved FOPNL systems have been associated with improved diet quality and reduced risk of NCDs.
Four of five pinyon-juniper tree species are declining in their ranges in the West, with up to 50% of populations in driest, warmest locations. The study found that Utah juniper is resilient and may become more dominant in future compositional shifts.
Researchers discovered pesticide-contaminated milkweed plants in retail nurseries across the US, threatening western monarch caterpillars. The study found an average of 12 pesticides per plant and 38% with residues harming migration and foraging abilities.
Cattle grazing with protein feed supplements during the fall and early winter can significantly reduce standing fine-fuel biomass by over 50% in cheatgrass-dominated pastures. This reduces fire risk by creating space for native grasses to grow, benefiting both ecosystem health and cattle ranchers.
A new study by University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute found that three factors – available winter snowfall, snow melt speed, and melting timing – impact critical water supplies. The research team developed a simple framework to help water managers predict timing and amount of streamflow as climate change accelerates.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding the cellular level of ion channels, which are fundamental to sensing environmental signals. The discovery of fundamental ion-channel sensors for temperature and pressure has led to new treatments for conditions like stroke, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers, including Indigenous Kichwa and Waorani families, will study biodiversity impacts in the Amazon basin. They will incorporate traditional knowledge into their approach to examining tropical species interaction.
Research by University of Nevada, Reno and Oregon State University found that adequate snowpack is crucial for revegetation following forest fires. The study showed that climate change has led to a decline in snowpack, which will negatively impact post-wildfire vegetation recovery.
A study published in Science found consistent annual declines in butterfly populations over the past 40 years in the western United States. The estimated 1.6% per year decline is attributed to increasing fall temperatures and warming landscapes.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health examines the impact of state preemption laws on local sugar-sweetened beverage taxes. The research reveals that since 2017, four states have passed laws preempting local SSB tax policies, with three of them passing within an average of just 29 days.
A recent study highlights the complex relationship between climate change and forest management in driving wildfires. Climate change is found to be the primary driver of increasing fires in some ecosystems, while fire suppression dominates in others. The research reveals that local responses to these factors can vary greatly within ind...
A new study published in Nature found that community-based freshwater fish reserves in Thailand's Salween basin have dramatically increased fish richness, density, and biomass. The reserves, established independently by local communities, protected over 40 species of fish and showed remarkable conservation benefits.
A collaborative study led by researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno, found that meadows throughout the region are both gaining and losing carbon at high rates. Meadows with wetland plant communities and dense root mats were large net carbon sinks during the year measured.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a novel COVID-19 rapid test using a nanotube-based electrochemical biosensor that detects SARS-CoV-2 virus in nasal swabs or exhaled breath. The test is simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive, with potential applications for diagnosis of other respiratory viral diseases.
Researchers have found that the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout population at Summit Lake remains stable despite climatically induced drought, thanks to a blend of science-based research and tribal cultural practices. The team's study provides valuable insights into restoring other Nevada lakes with similar trout populations.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have engineered thale cress to improve water-use efficiency and salinity tolerance, a trait that can be applied to other plants to address future food shortages and climate change impacts.
A study found 64 pesticide residues in milkweed, contaminating the main food source for monarch butterflies in the west. Pesticides were present at levels harmful to monarchs and other insects, raising concerns for the already critically small western monarch population.
A new prediction tool developed by University of Nevada, Reno researchers can help manage forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The tool, designed to focus on water quantity, predicts how different approaches to thinning impact snowpack accumulation in Lake Tahoe.
Scientists report declines in caterpillar diversity and density, as well as losses in biocontrol of herbivores by parasitoids. Climate change is partly blamed for these changes, with increased precipitation variability and shifts in mean temperatures affecting ecosystems.
A long-term study of mountain chickadees found that individuals with better learning and memory skills are more likely to survive their first winter. This is due to natural selection acting on the birds' spatial cognition, which enables them to find food caches made during previous winters.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno used satellite imagery to analyze changes in snowpacks in the Great Basin. The study found that topography plays a role in determining snowpack duration and that warmer temperatures are leading to more ephemeral snowpacks.
Researchers found that a combination of climate and weather factors, including a pyro-cumulonimbus cloud, led to the formation of a firenado in the Carr Fire. The vortex was spinning with the power of a class three tornado and contributed to the fire's rapid spread.
A research team led by the University of Nevada, Reno will investigate how changes in mountain snowpack affect available water and agricultural production in the West. The project aims to inform decision-makers on adapting to long-term changes in runoff timing and develop more effective water management practices.
A recent study published in Science reveals that some tropical amphibian species are recovering from a deadly fungal disease, despite the pathogen remaining equally deadly over time. The researchers found that nearly a decade after the outbreak, some frogs in Panama are surviving and may have better defenses against the infection.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have successfully developed the world's first transgenic ticks to combat tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. By disrupting insulin signaling in ticks, the scientists aim to better understand pathogen interactions and develop new vector control targets.
Researchers found that real objects exert a stronger influence on attention and manual responses compared to computerized images of the same objects. This effect was observed even when stimuli were out of reach or behind a barrier, suggesting that the potential for action plays a key role in attention allocation.
A genetic change 2 million years ago led to humans' immunity to diseases but made red meat a health risk. University of Nevada researchers analyzed animal genome sequences to determine when the CMAH gene became inactive, finding significant concentrations in fish eggs and some reptiles.
A $500,000 USDA-funded project at the University of Nevada, Reno is using genetic studies and new seed stock to find compatible seeds for various zones in the Great Basin. The four-year study aims to improve restoration results, exploring the use of native seeds grown in local conditions.
Researchers from University of Nevada, Reno used GPS satellites to search for dark matter clumps in the shape of walls or bubbles extending far beyond the solar system. The team found no evidence but ruled out a vast region of possibilities for this type of dark matter model, bringing them closer to defining its nature and composition.
Neuroscientists at the University of Nevada, Reno identified a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that disrupts brain pathways connecting the left and right hemispheres, separately linked to autism. The study suggests that the human gene PRRG4 may play a role in regulating nerve fiber guidance and synapse formation.
University of Nevada, Reno researchers are developing mosquitoes that can detect and avoid human odors, potentially breaking the transmission cycle of mosquito-borne diseases. The goal is to create genetically modified mosquitoes that feed on other animals, reducing resistance development.
The University of Nevada, Reno is starting a drilling campaign to test its geothermal exploration strategies in the Great Basin region. The project aims to identify new, economically viable geothermal systems and reduce risks for commercial electricity production.
Scientists have discovered three new toad species in Nevada's Great Basin, with the Dixie Valley toad having unique physical features and a small population size. The finding is significant due to the rarity of toad discoveries in the United States.
A gene atlas for the ice plant will aid in finding ways to make bioenergy feedstocks more resilient to salinity and drought. The project aims to understand how environmental stress controls the expression of CAM photosynthesis, a water-conserving pathway that helps plants survive in arid climates.
A new study at the University of Nevada, Reno has found a potential way to reduce triclosan's presence in the environment, which is linked to antibiotic resistance. The research discovered that a combination of metal-reducing bacteria and natural organic matter can degrade triclosan faster.
Researchers found that college students perform better between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., with a 2:1 majority identifying as evening people. This supports recent university moves to offer more evening classes.
A study published in PNAS finds that climate change will increase the risk of lethal dehydration and mass die-offs of songbirds during heat waves. Small species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration due to their high water loss rates.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have modeled how a colloidal droplet evaporates and found a previously overlooked mechanism that determines particle deposition dynamics. The discovery builds on existing work, allowing scientists to manipulate solute particles by altering surface tension.
The University of Nevada, Reno's Global Water Center is launching a new 5-year initiative to preserve the Mekong River's biodiversity and ecosystem. The project aims to study the river's climate, hydrology, and biodiversity, build partnerships for sustainable development, and educate communities about the importance of a healthy Mekong.
Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno partner with Earthwatch Institute to study Sierra meadow ecosystems and their carbon storage potential. Citizen scientists from northern California and Reno area participate in project, measuring carbon stored in plants and vegetation.
A recent study by University of Nevada, Reno geophysicists suggests that the Kathmandu region is vulnerable to a more powerful earthquake than the 2015 Gorkha quake. The research indicates that the Himalayan Frontal Fault has reached a stage of strain accumulation prior to a potential major thrust earthquake.
A new 'smart metal' technology, developed by the University of Nevada, Reno, is being used for the first time in a real-world application on a busy downtown Seattle highway. The innovative materials, including memory-retaining nickel/titanium rods and flexible concrete composites, allow bridges to bend and remain usable after strong ea...