Articles tagged with Food Webs
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
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Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
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Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
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Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A study by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology found that great tits are struggling to adapt their breeding timing to cope with climate change, leading to a decline in population numbers. The researchers used innovative methods to speed up evolution and predict the impact of climate change on natural selection.
A recent study by the Complexity Science Hub reveals interdependencies in the global food supply chain, uncovering profound indirect effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on product availability worldwide. The study found that indirect effects often exceeded direct effects, with losses up to 85% in maize and 89% in edible oils.
A new study found that the global food system is responsible for a third of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, with beef and dairy consumption being the largest contributors. The study suggests that adopting a more plant-based diet could help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
A new study from Harvard University reveals that despite the national reduction of mercury emissions by 90% since the implementation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in 2011, two regions - Texas and North Dakota - continue to be major sources of toxic air pollution. The research highlights significant sociodemographic disparitie...
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Research by North Carolina State University found that new species can alter ecosystem processes despite similarities to resident species, but changes occur when they are more dissimilar. This study has implications for predicting the consequences of climate change-induced species introductions.
Researchers found that wolf spider species in Nebraska exhibited similar diets, with many eating the same types of prey. This suggests a complex food web where predators are not just competing for resources, but also engaging in cannibalism to regulate their populations and stabilize the ecosystem.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
Research explores the complex relationship between droughts, food security, and conflict in Central America. The study finds that decreases in water availability play a major role in conflict insurgences, while stable conditions of peace are more influenced by favorable socio-economic conditions.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that ground beetle species will thrive or decline based on their habitats and traits. Habitat conservation can help mitigate the effects of climate change on these insects, which are critical pest control agents in North American agriculture.
A recent study has identified a rare strain of Toxoplasma gondii, COUG, in sea otters that caused fatal steatitis and toxoplasmosis. The strain is virulent and can rapidly kill healthy adult otters, posing a health threat to other marine wildlife and humans.
A new approach to describing network connections can help predict system strong and weak points, crucial for understanding disease spread and communication networks. Researchers found that mapping hierarchies and incoherence within a system enables prediction of strong and weak connections.
A study found that the British public largely supports a ban on selling junk foods at checkouts, which is part of the UK government's efforts to tackle obesity. The legislation aims to create healthier shopping environments and reduce calorie consumption among children and adults alike.
A new Penn State-led study reveals that workers in the US food supply chain are at a high risk of serious injury due to unique hazards such as product movement. The researchers found that fractures of the lower extremities were most prevalent, with transportation-related accidents being the most frequent type.
A recent UBC study has found that southern resident killer whales require high-energy prey to survive, with spring-run Chinook salmon being the most suitable. The study's findings have significant implications for managing both species and mitigating the decline of this critically endangered population.
Research suggests that tropical tent web spiders can eat a devastating pest moth of commercially important crops like tomato and potato. The spiders' ability to form groups and create large webs makes them effective biological control agents.
A new study suggests that the invasive rusty crayfish may be dying off naturally, allowing native water plants and snails to flourish. In some Northern Wisconsin lakes, crayfish populations have declined by nearly zero, leading to a resurgence of plant life and potential ecosystem recovery.
A 250.8 million-year-old fossil find reveals complex marine ecosystems on Earth just one million years after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, contradicting long-held theories. The discovery provides insights into life's rapid recovery from extreme crises and necessitates a re-evaluation of early Triassic ocean conditions.
A global survey of large carnivore attacks found that attacks in high-income countries occurred mostly during recreation, while those in low-income countries were linked to livelihood activities. The study also highlighted the importance of tailored approaches to prevent such attacks.
Researchers found that larvae of the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab survived less in warmer water and underwent physiological changes due to higher acidity. Marine heatwaves will be harmful to species and those that feed on them, with potential economic losses to fisheries. Further research is needed to understand the effects.
A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Halteria, can eat high numbers of chloroviruses, which are known to infect green algae. This finding suggests that virovory, a virus-only diet, can support physiological growth and even population growth in an organism.
Climate change and land use will cause extinction cascades leading to the loss of 10% of animals and plants by 2050, rising to 27% by 2100. The study highlights coextinctions as a dominant factor in future vertebrate losses.
Researchers analyzed coyote diets and movement in Cape Breton Highlands National Park to determine why a lone hiker was attacked. The study found that coyotes relied on moose due to resource scarcity, adapting their behavior to exploit this unusually large food source.
A landmark study provides the strongest evidence yet that dinosaurs were in their prime when a deadly asteroid hit, leading to their mass extinction. The research shows that mammals diversified their diets and adapted to environments, creating advantages that helped them survive the disaster.
Researchers analyzed 2.3 million camera-trap photos of tropical mammals, revealing consistent daily activity patterns across continents. Body size and diet are key factors influencing activity, with larger animals active during the day and smaller ones at night.
A new study found that when there are more females than males in colonies of orb-weaving spiders, males fight less with each other and females exhibit less aggression. The researchers also observed cooperation among spiders in constructing their webs and wrapping prey in silk.
A study by Rice University researchers found that tropical mammal communities divide their days similarly, with feeding routines and body sizes influencing activity patterns. The study confirms consistent patterns across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Research reveals that microphytobenthos, a key component of the Dutch Wadden Sea food web, obtains its nutrients primarily from detrital nitrogen in pore water. This finding provides new insights into the ecosystem's dynamics and highlights the importance of considering all nutrient pools in models predicting future changes.
A regime shift in the Southeast Greenland marine ecosystem has led to a permanent change from an ice-infested to a more temperate system, with large numbers of fin and humpback whales migrating to the area. This tipping point may be irreversible, having cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that changing the wording on expiration dates could help reduce food waste. The study suggests that certain labels, such as "use by" or "best if used by," may lead to more food being discarded than others.
The Arctic Ocean's pH is decreasing at a rate 3–4 times faster than in other oceans, with acidification impacting marine life. Sea butterflies, a key food source for whales, may face reduced availability due to increased carbon dioxide uptake.
Researchers have discovered that small eddies, swirling at the edges of massive ocean currents, are a key source of nutrients for phytoplankton. These nutrient-rich eddies help maintain healthy populations of phytoplankton, which are essential for carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change effects.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that Burmese pythons have evolved super-stretchy skin between their lower jaws, enabling them to consume prey much larger than expected. This adaptation allows pythons to eat deer and other large animals whole, providing a significant energy advantage in their ecosystem.
A new study reveals that bats' diets are more similar than previously thought, with both species eating a variety of insects and agricultural pests. The research found that the northern long-eared bat tends to pick up larger prey items due to its gleaning strategy.
Researchers found that lettuce takes up nanoplastics from soil and transfers them into the food chain, with particles detected in insects and fish. The study highlights potential health risks to herbivores and humans due to tiny plastic particles in soil.
A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that the increased interest in local food during the pandemic may be temporary. The study found that concerns about anxiety and a decrease in sense of community among consumers led to lower willingness to pay for locally produced fruits, vegetables, and meat.
A study reveals that over 50% of mammal food web links have disappeared due to animal declines, leading to a collapse of global ecosystems. Restoring extinct species to their historic ranges holds great potential to reverse these declines and restore food web complexity.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
A new University of Illinois study shows that fathead minnows can handle simulated heatwaves with few nasty side effects. Most minnows rapidly returned to normal physiological functioning after cooling down, but some became more susceptible to oxidative stress.
A new study reveals sponges have a unique mechanism to clear their water channels: a sneeze-like process. Sponges release a type of mucus that is consumed by other animals, providing a food source inaccessible to most sea creatures.
A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii collected over 3,000 microbial samples from Waimea Valley's watershed, discovering that microbes follow the food web and are maintained within soil and stream water. The study also found that local distribution of a microbe predicts its global distribution.
New research suggests that plant-based beef alternatives could reduce US carbon footprint by 2.5-13.5%, mostly by decreasing cow numbers. However, this shift could disrupt the agricultural workforce, threatening up to 1.5 million industry jobs and exacerbating issues like fair wages and health equity.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that positive YouTube videos of sharks can increase human tolerance and support for shark conservation. The study showed a significant increase in attitudes, acceptance, and intentions to help sharks after watching positive videos compared to negative ones.
In a breakthrough observation, scientists documented large groups of southern fin whales feeding together in the Antarctic for the first time since the whaling ban. The discovery suggests that fin whale populations are rebounding, with numbers reaching up to 150 individuals.
A University of Washington study found that Pacific salmon in larger groups have lower predation risk, but may trade safety for food. The researchers analyzed historical data on fish catches and predator wounds to estimate group size and predation risk, revealing the benefits and costs of schooling in marine fish.
A study by Leibniz-IZW scientists reveals that the death of common noctule bats at wind turbines interrupts natural food chains, compromising ecosystem services like pest control. The loss of these insectivorous bats has significant consequences for agriculture and forestry in Germany.
A new study finds that cold-water corals thrive when food supply and oxygen content are available, but decline in response to changes. The research, led by MARUM, analyzed sediments from six locations and found that these factors have been critical to coral survival over the past 20,000 years.
A new study reveals the Gulf of Maine is being increasingly influenced by warm water from the North Atlantic, leading to significant changes in its food web. The warming is driven by an influx of North Atlantic water, which has raised temperatures and salinity levels, impacting marine life.
Vertebrate scavengers prefer to dine on the carcasses of herbivores like mallard ducks and chickens, rather than higher-trophic-level vulture remains. This study found that avian and mammal scavengers only consumed a small portion of the vulture carcasses, highlighting the complexity of nutrient cycling through food webs.
A study by the University of Würzburg found that grasshoppers eat a wide range of plants in cold regions, but are more specialized in temperate habitats. The researchers suggest that this adaptation allows them to survive in extreme climatic conditions.
A new study found that native species in southwestern Washington floodplains adapt to bullfrogs and sunfish by changing their feeding strategies. The researchers analyzed carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in predators and prey to understand food webs, finding that some species shifted towards more abundant food sources.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
Researchers found that non-biting midge larvae accumulate pesticides from polluted water and retain them into adulthood. Adult female midges have higher pesticide concentrations than males, which are transferred to their offspring. The study suggests that midges can be a source of pesticides in terrestrial ecosystems.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a method to produce and extract oils from a type of common microalgae, which are edible and have superior properties as those found in palm oil. The newly discovered method would serve as a healthier and greener alternative to palm oil.
Researchers found that voles in Inner Mongolia, China, trim tall grasses when shrikes are nearby, decreasing predation risk. The voles' behavior is an example of ecosystem engineering, where they modify their environment to improve survival.
A study by Newcastle University found that a 1.5°C increase in temperature reduces food resources for pollinating insects, causing them to visit a wider range of plants and altering seed production in some wildflowers. This change leads to more complex food web dynamics.
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
A team of scientists from NTU Singapore has developed a plant-based emulsifier that is rich in protein and antioxidants, allowing it to replace eggs or dairy in food staples. The emulsifier is made by fermenting brewers' spent grain and can help cut down on food waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The article examines how the pandemic affected the protein sector's food supply chains, discussing lessons learned from the experience. The authors highlight the importance of building food supply chain resilience through improved efficiency and technology adoption, but warn that larger firms may pose a threat to smaller local systems.
Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.