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Human-driven change on Argentine forests

Increased precipitation and changes in forest structure in Argentina's forests are leading to higher rates of parasitic fly infection in young birds. This study found that slight changes in precipitation and vegetation structure, coupled with crowding of nests, result in large increases in the number of parasites per chick.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 2013

A new species of yellow slug moth from China

A new species of yellow slug moth from China has been identified, with characteristics including a yellow coloration and a face blending from yellow to pale red. The study's findings highlight the importance of revising previous works due to errors in identifying this genus.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 4, 2013

Eyes on the prey

Researchers studied zebrafish larvae's hunting behavior using virtual reality, revealing two unknown types of neurons involved in processing movement stimuli. The findings show that the larvae's brain must filter and evaluate visual information rapidly to select appropriate motor patterns.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalFrontiers in Neural Circuits·DateMay 22, 2013

An inside look at carnivorous plants

Researchers at Harvard Forest discovered a diverse array of organisms inside carnivorous pitcher plants, including bacteria, midge larvae, and rotifers. The study found that predator-prey interactions play a key role in shaping the food web, with removing one species affecting others.

SourceHarvard University·JournalOikos·DateApr 2, 2013

Sustainable fishing practices produce local rewards

Research in Papua New Guinea reveals that local community-led efforts to regulate fish catches benefit both the fishermen and their neighbors. The study found that many larvae produced by managed adults return to the same fish population, highlighting the effectiveness of cooperative management.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 28, 2013

Genetic analysis saves major apple-producing region of Washington state

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame used genetic analysis to identify a harmless fruit fly in Washington state, preventing costly quarantine measures. The study's findings demonstrate the potential for rapid and accurate identification of insect species, which could have significant implications for agriculture and public health.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateMar 22, 2013

Metal ions regulate terpenoid metabolism in insects

Researchers discovered that metal ions cobalt, manganese, and magnesium control the production of different terpenoids in insect larvae, one for defense and another for juvenile hormones. This study highlights the importance of metal ions in regulating metabolic pathways and challenges the traditional view of enzyme specificity.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2013

The brainless origin of our head

Researchers discovered that ancient sea anemones use the same genes to form their heads as humans and other animals, providing insight into brain evolution. The study found that these 'head genes' control development of sensory centers in both sea anemones and higher animals.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 20, 2013

Monogamous birds read partner's food desires

Researchers found that male Eurasian Jays can share food with their female partner according to her current desire, suggesting a 'state-attribution' ability. This behavior is crucial for species living in long-term relationships and may improve mate bonding.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2013

24 new species of flower fly have been found in Central and Southern America

A team of scientists has described 24 new species of dipterans belonging to the Quichuana genus, doubling the number of documented species in this genus. The discovery is especially important for establishing conservation methods due to the insect's relationship with its plant development environment.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJan 31, 2013

Poison for cancer cells

Researchers developed a new testing reaction to identify active agents in mixtures of hundreds of substances. They found two compounds, cepafungin I and glidobactin A, which inhibit the proteasome, causing cancer cells to suffocate on their own waste.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2012

Not without my microbes

A comprehensive study found that adult beetles of the European forest cockchafer species house the same microbial species as larvae, despite metamorphosing from one stage to another. The microbes include clostridia and other bacterial species that aid in digesting plant materials.

Alcoholic fly larvae need fix for learning

Research reveals that fly larvae fed alcohol-spiked food exhibit lasting changes in brain function, even after abstinence. This study provides insights into the neural mechanisms underlying ethanol dependence and its evolutionary roots.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 29, 2012

Brain may 'see' more than the eyes, study indicates

Researchers discovered that fruit fly larvae with simple eyes can assemble complex images using rapid head scanning, challenging traditional views on vision. The study suggests the brain plays a crucial role in processing visual input, enabling organisms to recognize details and patterns despite limited visual acuity.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 1, 2012

Honey bees fight back against Varroa

Researchers discovered specific proteins in honey bees that help them resist Varroa mite infestations. These proteins enable the removal of infected larvae and reduce mite populations, promoting the survival of the species. This natural approach could provide a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Heat, rainfall affect pathogenic mosquito abundance in catch basins

Researchers from the University of Illinois discovered that low rainfall and high temperatures increase the numbers of larvae in storm water catch basins. The study, published in Journal of Medical Entomology, highlights the importance of monitoring mosquito populations in these areas to track West Nile Virus disease cases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJul 6, 2012

Fish larvae find the reef by orienting: The earlier the better

A team of female scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science have developed a sophisticated numerical model to study fish larvae's navigation skills. The model uses reliable larval swimming speeds and vertical migration to create realistic scenarios that can be studied in detail.

Flying jewels spell death for baby spiders

Four new species of Panops spider flies have been described from Australia, characterized by their jewel-like appearance and ability to feed on nectar. The larvae of these flies are internal parasites that prolong the life of juvenile spiders by living inside them for years, ultimately leading to the spider's death.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateMar 2, 2012

Fruit flies use alcohol as a drug to kill parasites

A recent study by Emory University found that fruit flies infected with blood-borne parasites consume alcohol to increase their survival rate. The researchers discovered that the toxic effects of alcohol can be protective against infectious disease and raise an important question about whether other organisms, including humans, could c...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2012

Digging up clues: Research on buried blow flies to help crime scene investigators

New research from NC State University sheds light on how blow flies survive when buried underground during their development. The study found that blow flies can survive burial and provides additional information for murder investigations, helping forensic entomologists determine body burial times and potential relocations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalForensic Science International·DateNov 1, 2011

Insects are scared to death of fish

Researchers at the University of Toronto found that juvenile dragonflies exposed to predatory fish had survival rates 2.5 to 4.3 times less than those not exposed. This stress caused more dragonflies to fail metamorphosis and die, with 11% of larvae dying during this process.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateOct 27, 2011