Articles tagged with Extinction
Researchers revised the megalodon shark's extinction timeline, finding evidence of genuine fossil occurrences until 3.6 million years ago. The team proposes that competition with great white sharks led to megalodon's demise, rather than a supernova or marine mass extinction.
At least 200 large animal species are declining in population and over 150 are under threat of extinction due to humans' meat consumption habits. Megafauna populations are experiencing a 70% decline, with 59% facing extinction.
A study led by Theresa Cole found that modern penguin diversity is driven by islands, which created new opportunities for isolation and speciation. The research suggests human-caused extinctions have also played a role in shaping penguin diversity.
A Puerto Rico-based neuroscience lab, supported by NIH's National Institute of Mental Health, fosters intellectual growth and diversity among its young trainees through journal clubs, lab meetings, one-on-ones, and philosophy retreats. The lab has published over 80 papers and generates more than 2,000 citations annually.
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species facing extinction, with ground orchids topping the list. Urbanization, inappropriate fire regimes and introduced plant diseases are major drivers of these extinctions, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to save these unique species.
Researchers found that sharks can become giants by evolving two possible pathways: mesothermic adaptation for self-temperature control or filter-feeding pathway for plankton consumption. However, these giant sharks face risks such as prey scarcity and toxic microplastics threatening their extinction.
A new systematic approach to assess animal extinction risk has found that 20% of previously unassessable species are likely threatened. The method, designed by Luca Santini and colleagues, is more efficient than traditional methods and provides an early warning system for species at risk.
A new mathematical model developed by University of Southern Denmark researcher Fernando Colchero can help predict the population growth of endangered species. The model takes into account age-specific survival and reproduction rates, as well as trade-offs between these factors, resulting in more accurate predictions.
A new study found that exposure to cannabis and stress during adolescence can lead to long-term anxiety disorders. The researchers observed impaired fear extinction in adult mice treated with THC and exposed to stress, suggesting a deregulation in the circuit that regulates fear.
A study found that four mammalian lineages coexisted with the dinosaurs and survived the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Some species were more resilient than others, while others diversified rapidly in response to new environmental conditions.
A new study reveals a strong positive relationship between global extinction risk and the loss of forest intactness in bird distributions. Most global hotspots of restricted ranges now fall in degraded forests, highlighting the importance of restoring intactness to reduce extinction risk.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has found a way to harmonize conflicting results from fossil-based and phylogenetic analysis of species emergence and extinction. By considering different mechanisms of speciation, such as budding, cladogenesis, and anagenesis, they have developed a computer model that accounts for these assumptions, pr...
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center have developed a new approach to treating anxiety disorders by anchoring positive experiences in the brain's memory. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that administering a commercially available drug that increases dopamine levels can reinforce fear extinction memories a...
A new study from the University of Washington and Stanford University reveals that global warming was the primary cause of the Permian mass extinction, which wiped out 80% of oxygen in the oceans. The research predicts that high-latitude species were nearly completely wiped out due to their high oxygen demands.
A new study has found that increased marine temperatures and reduced oxygen availability led to the extinction of nearly 96% of ancient ocean life during the catastrophic end-Permian mass extinction event. Tropical marine animals were more resilient to these changes, highlighting a potential pattern for future extinction events.
The latest ranking from ZSL's EDGE of Existence programme highlights the most ancient fish at risk of extinction, including guitarfish, angel sharks, and saws-on-their-faces rays. These unique species have few or no remaining close relatives, making each one irreplaceable if they go extinct.
A machine-learning approach predicts plant species at risk of extinction using open-source data for over 150,000 land plant species. The approach identifies variables predicting extinction risk and calculates probability of a species being designated as endangered.
A two-year study reveals pangolin hunting is a major conservation issue and devastating animal welfare concern in Assam. Interviews with local hunters found that pangolins are targeted for their scales, which are sold for a premium on the black market.
Researchers simulated catastrophic environmental changes, leading to the extinction of all life. Co-extinctions amplify the effects of climate change, with a 5-6 degree warming globally enough to wipe out most life. This study warns humanity not to underestimate the impact of co-extinctions.
A new study by JRC scientists reveals that global warming can underestimate extinctions by up to 10 times if co-extinction cascades are not accounted for. The researchers constructed virtual Earths with thousands of plants and animals, simulating extreme environmental changes.
Research finds early human ancestors played no role in driving megaherbivore diversity, instead blaming environmental change and CO2 decline. The decline of these large mammals began 4.6 million years ago, before the emergence of tool-bearing hominin species.
A study by University of Utah researchers suggests that grassland expansion, driven by falling atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, drove the decline of giant mammals over the last 4.6 million years. The research provides a convincing counter-argument to long-held views on human ancestors' impact on ancient African faunas.
Researchers found that imagining a sound can effectively remove negative associations, with brain activity parallels seen in both real and imagined extinction conditions. This study sheds light on the power of imagination as a therapy tool for anxiety disorders.
Imagination has been shown to be an effective tool in treating anxiety and fear-related disorders. A recent study found that imagining a threat can help reduce neural and physiological responses associated with fear, making it a promising treatment option for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias.
A genome-wide study confirms six distinct tiger subspecies, providing context for conservation strategies. The research highlights the urgent need for individual protection planning for these endangered species.
Researchers developed a new model to calculate optimal hunting thresholds, taking into account population growth rates and environmental fluctuations. The 'bang-bang' approach is proposed as the most effective strategy to control animal populations and reduce extinction risk.
A new framework proposes a logical and transparent approach to allocate limited resources for conservation and recovery efforts. This approach aims to identify the most important objectives and allocate funds efficiently, leading to greater confidence in funding agencies and partners.
The study calculates mammalian phylogenetic diversity loss due to extinctions since the Last Interglacial. Global losses exceed expected random extinctions, with recovery estimated at 3-5 million years for PD lost during this period.
A new study reveals that mammals cannot evolve fast enough to escape the current extinction crisis, threatening the loss of unique ecological functions and evolutionary history. Conservation efforts must be improved to prevent further extinctions, with some species facing high risks of disappearing within 50 years.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that the end-Permian mass extinction may have occurred in only 31,000 years, making it an instantaneous event by geological standards. The sudden extinction was likely caused by Siberian flood-basalt eruptions and local intensive explosive volcanism.
A new study used fossil cores from northeastern Italy to test a thought experiment on mass extinctions. The results showed that the fossil record can produce a misleading picture if not interpreted with care, suggesting smaller bursts of extinctions over a longer timeline rather than a single massive die-off.
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has explored the long-standing mystery of mass extinctions, revealing that abrupt transitions can occur due to 'ghost attractors' and 'crawl-bys'. This knowledge could help predict upcoming ecological catastrophes and inform efficient management.
A new study found that the Siberian Flood Basalts, a massive volcanic eruption around 250 million years ago, sent nearly 90% of life into extinction. The team discovered that chlorine, bromine, and iodine in the lithosphere were released into the atmosphere, destroying the ozone layer.
A new UBC study analyzed 825 marine fish species and found that 499 are projected to face very high extinction risks due to overfishing and climate change. Effective fisheries management and low greenhouse gas emissions can reduce this risk by up to 63%, saving hundreds of fish stocks from becoming endangered.
Researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology discovered that smoldering combustion can sustain even under nearly 1% atmospheric pressure, challenging conventional fire extinguishing methods. The study's findings suggest that vacuumed operations to extinguish fires in space may fail unless proper conditions are achieved.
A study found that the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event led to the shift in dominance from lamniform to carcharhiniform sharks. Carcharhiniforms, including Tiger and Hammerhead sharks, proliferated in the post-extinction world.
Researchers from Lomonosov MSU and international partners demonstrate a strong light-matter interaction in suspensions and self-assembled films of tungsten disulfide nanotubes. This allows consideration of WS2 nanotubes as a platform for developing new concepts in nanotube-based photonic devices.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that bacteria undergo substantial extinctions over time, with estimates suggesting between 45,000 to 95,000 bacterial lineages going extinct in the last million years alone. This contradicts widely held scientific thinking that microbe taxa rarely die off.
A study published in BioScience warns that the Mexico-US border wall could lead to the extinction of over 1,500 native animal and plant species in the US. The construction of physical barriers disrupts annual or seasonal migration and dispersal routes, causing habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, and changes in fire regimes.
A new framework helps researchers and conservationists share sensitive data while minimizing harm to threatened species. The framework considers the pros and cons of making data public and provides ways to publish data without putting species at risk.
Researchers created a model to simulate biodiversity history in South America over thousands of years, closely matching observed patterns. The model's results suggest topography and climate play critical roles in species diversification and extinction.
Researchers at Clemson University found that salamanders can alter their behavior and physiology in response to environmental stressors, reducing extinction risk. This new understanding could provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of global warming on salamander populations.
A new review of evidence suggests the brown bear may have gone extinct earlier than thought, with dates ranging from late Neolithic to early medieval periods. The study aims to clarify the unclear previous evidence and sheds light on the possible reasons behind their extinction.
A study suggests that nature-based citizen science can reverse the 'extinction of experience' by fostering cognitive and emotional connections to nature. Citizen science programs increase participants' knowledge, skills, interest in and curiosity about nature, leading to positive behavioral changes.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit necessary for unlearning fear in rats. Dopamine activity is crucial for fear extinction, but its specific role varies depending on the brain region involved.
A new genus and species of gibbon has been identified in an ancient Chinese noble-woman's tomb, revealing a previously unknown extinct population of apes in eastern Asia. The findings suggest that human activity may have contributed to the gibbon's extinction.
A new study published in Biological Reviews analyzed over 300 statements about pterosaur diets and found that most are based on inferences drawn from modern organisms or fossil environments. This lack of reliable evidence has led to a wide range of proposed diets, with some groups showing strong agreement while others remain uncertain.
Researchers have identified valuable pools of genetic material from cryopreserved cell lines, which may help guide a tailored recovery program for the northern white rhinoceros. The study's findings suggest that advanced sequencing technologies and novel reproductive strategies could improve recovery efforts for other endangered species.
Researchers have identified nine Northern White Rhino (NWR) cryopreserved cell lines that could serve as a genetic rescue for the critically endangered species. The study found distinct genetic variation between NWR and Southern White Rhino (SWR), with potential for a tailored recovery program.
A new facial recognition software and app developed at Michigan State University can help track and protect endangered primates. The PrimNet system outperformed state-of-the-art face recognition systems in head-to-head comparisons, offering a more cost-effective and invasive approach to primate tracking.
A recent study in Current Biology identifies the giant Chinese salamander as having five distinct species, all of which are critically endangered and face imminent extinction. The researchers highlight the importance of genetic assessments and conservation efforts to protect these unique animals.
A team of researchers led by Maya Elrick found that a global marine anoxic event occurred during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction, which lasted for at least 1 million years and coincided with the extinction of 85% of marine life. The study suggests that low oxygen concentrations in the ocean were a major driver of the mass extinction.
A new study documents how a North American butterfly evolved complete dependence on an introduced European weed, leading to its local extinction when humans eliminated the plant's availability. The study supports the argument that rapid climate change will prove detrimental to biodiversity.
Researchers found that stress can render extinction learning context-independent, allowing patients to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. This could improve the efficacy of exposure therapies for anxiety disorders.
A study published in Geology suggests that major volcanism led to the late Devonian extinction event, marked by a sharp increase in mercury levels in rocks from Morocco, Germany, and northern Russia. The discovery provides new evidence for the role of volcanism in mass extinctions.
A new study links human activities to a massive extinction event that wiped out large mammals globally. The research suggests that size-biased extinctions started at least 125,000 years ago in Africa and spread to other continents as humans migrated, leaving only smaller mammals behind.
A team of scientists found that species with strong male sexual dimorphism are more vulnerable to extinction due to increased energy investment in reproduction. They analyzed thousands of ancient crustacean fossils, including ostracods with distinct sex-specific shapes preserved in the fossil record.
A new study warns of the high risk of extinction for rare coastal martens in Oregon and northern California within the next 30 years. The researchers estimated that only 87 adults remain in two subpopulations, with an extinction risk ranging from 32% to 99%. Habitat loss and human-caused deaths are major threats to their survival.
Researchers from FAU found warning signs of mass extinction existed 700,000 years before the event, including fossil records of dying species. They also note that current global warming, ocean acidification, and oxygen lack are evident in today's biodiversity crisis.
Research estimates vulnerability and extinction risk of migratory species from different regions and ecosystems worldwide. Migratory animals face barriers such as roads, dams, and urban development, which can lead to population decline and increased extinction risk.