Articles tagged with Earthworms
Researchers found that vermicomposting reduces antibiotic resistance genes by 70-95% and mobile genetic elements by up to 68%. The process uses earthworms to transform raw manure into a stable, high-value fertilizer.
A comparative genome study reveals that earthworms and their marine relatives underwent massive genomic reorganisation when transitioning to land, consistent with a punctuated equilibrium model. This phenomenon could have enabled rapid adaptation to new environments, driving evolution and challenging established laws of genome evolution.
The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
New research found that bio-based fibres have a range of adverse effects on earthworms, animals critical to environmental health. The study highlights the importance of testing new materials before they are released on the market.