Articles tagged with Shrubs
Increased Arctic vegetation may counteract global warming by reducing decomposition and releasing stored carbon, according to a Lund University study. The study found that warmer temperatures trigger bacteria and fungi to break down nutrient-rich shrubs rather than moss, leading to reduced soil nitrogen.
Researchers found orange peel jessamine and mexican hummingbird bush to be the most salt-tolerant, while eastern red columbine was the most salt-sensitive. The study expands planting options for landscapes using reclaimed or recycled water.
Recent changes in Alaska's tundra landscape allowed moose to expand their habitat northward by hundreds of miles. The study found that increased shrub height and longer summers created a suitable environment for the iconic species.
A new Dartmouth study finds that Arctic soils are releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere at an accelerated rate due to rising temperatures and moisture levels. The research suggests that warmer conditions could create a positive feedback loop, further boosting global temperatures.
A new Australian bush tomato species, Solanum watneyi, has been discovered and named after the botanist character in the book and film adaptation of The Martian. The plant was identified as a relative of the potato and its discovery has sparked recognition from the botanical community.
A new analysis of 26 shrub species in South Africa reveals that climate, fire, and soil factors significantly influence population dynamics. The study's findings provide insights into how these interactions shape the reproductive and survival patterns of plants.
A new, tiny arboreal toad species from the Andaman Islands has been identified, prompting concerns about its endangered status. The 'Andaman bush toad', named Blythophryne beryet, is characterized by its reddish-brown coloration and is threatened by human activity and invasive fauna.
Researchers found that Asian tiger mosquitoes prefer containers with large water volumes and near flowering butterfly bushes. These findings could lead to the development of traps using flower fragrances to control mosquito populations.
A study compared 35 basil cultivars and two hydroponic systems, finding that plant performance is more closely related to the choice of cultivar than the system used. Basil fresh weights varied significantly among cultivars, with some producing moderate-high yields.
A study led by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that bison are not entirely reliant on grass for nutritional needs and can selectively expand their diet to include woody shrubs and flowering plants during spring and fall. This adaptability may have implications for management and conservation of bison in the American West.
A recent study found that climate change has led to the establishment of moose and snowshoe hares on Alaska's North Slope, with warmer temperatures supporting denser vegetation. The shift in ecosystem is attributed to the increased growth of shrubs, which provides a habitat boost for these animals.
A Florida Tech-led study refutes the theory that Amazonian rainforests were created through ancient managed landscapes. The research, published in the Journal of Biogeography, suggests that pre-European human activity had a limited impact on the ecosystem.
A UC Riverside botanist is studying how trees and shrubs respond to extreme drought in California. He aims to understand which species have survived past droughts and which strategies are most effective.
A study monitors trends on woody encroachment in three Central Texas settings, finding a significant correlation between population changes and woody cover decreases. The researchers used time-series aerial imagery and historical census data to quantify the relationship between human demographics and land use patterns.
A study found that most major mammal groups in Africa tried grazing on grass around 2 million years ago, but some animals switched to browsing trees and shrubs or became extinct. The bovids, including cattle and antelopes, are the only group still mostly grazing on grass today.
A new species of insect has been discovered in South East Queensland, exhibiting sexual dichronism and intersexual phoresy. The newly recognized species, Cystococcus campanidorsalis, was identified by a University of Queensland graduate through physical characteristics and DNA sequence data.
A recent Arctic tundra study found that climate warming is driving dramatic changes in the region's vegetation, with shrubs growing more in warmer temperatures. This increase in shrub growth can lead to more warming in tundra ecosystems and globally.
A new bird species, the Sichuan bush warbler, has been discovered in central China by an international team of scientists. The bird is characterized by its distinctive low-pitched drawn-out buzz and shorter click song, and can be found in dense brush and tea plantations at lower elevations.
Researchers found female chimps predominantly hunt with tools, using a spear-like tool to capture galagos. This technique may be due to social tolerance and access to prey in the Fongoli savanna habitat.
Researchers found that teen girls from rural areas were more likely to have undiagnosed asthma, with a higher rate of depression among asthmatic teens. The study suggests that depression can be a barrier to diagnosis and treatment of the disease, making it essential to address this issue.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that adding more natural buffers to farm landscapes can not only slow soil erosion but also create more visually appealing fields and valleys. The study surveyed residents in the Palouse region of eastern Washington State, who preferred landscapes with more nature and fewe...
A new study reveals four new genera and four new species of bush crickets from sub-Saharan Africa, shedding light on the diversity of Orthoptera. The discovery includes one species that has been waiting for over 100 years to be discovered and described, with the name 'oblitum' meaning 'forgotten' in Latin.
A study published in Neuron found that neurons in the medial temporal lobe respond more strongly to blended faces when a subject recognizes the face as belonging to one person. The results suggest that conscious recognition plays a crucial role in whether neurons fire, rather than the raw visual stimulus.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that burn intervals may predict the rate of woody vegetation expansion along grassland streams, which could help maintain tallgrass prairies. The research also suggests that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and grazing patterns may contribute to woody plant encroachment.
Researchers propose pilot-wave theory as an alternative to Copenhagen interpretation, inspired by a macroscopic fluidic system exhibiting quantum-like statistics. The system's chaotic dynamics lead to unpredictable particle behavior, challenging traditional notions of reality.
Researchers found that a one percent increase in tree and shrub cover results in a two percent loss in livestock production. The study also revealed that woody-plant cover in North America increases at an average rate of 0.5 to 2% per year.
Researchers identified specific genes switched on in woodrats that detoxify the creosote plant's toxic resin. The study found two closely related species of woodrat have different reactions to the toxin, with one species exhibiting stress due to unactivated detoxification genes.
A new study at LMU Munich finds that day-length, rather than temperature, determines the timing of leaf emergence in many plant species. This adaptation helps plants avoid late frosts and allows them to thrive in warmer climates.
The public has its first view of a live vampire squid and other deep-sea cephalopods in the ongoing Tentacles special exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A collaborative effort with the aquarium's partner institution, MBARI, this exhibit provides new scientific insights into these mysterious animals.
A new species of praying mantis, the bush tiger mantis, has been discovered in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest National Park by a Case Western Reserve University student. The female mantis hunts prey on the ground and underbrush, while the male flies.
A new species of praying mantis, the tiny bush tiger mantis, has been discovered in Rwanda's Nyungwe National Park. The species was found to have unique hunting practices, with females adapting for close-range prey capture.
Researchers found that shrubs on Campbell Island experience decreased growth when winter temperatures fluctuate between cold and warm enough for growth. This is due to the depletion of resources for photosynthesis during the winter.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that coughs and sneezes create a multiphase turbulent buoyant cloud that extends the range of infectious droplets. Smaller droplets can travel up to 200 times farther than previously estimated, while larger droplets fall out, allowing smaller drops to be resuspended by gas clouds.
Richard Tapia, a mathematician and mentor, is the 2014 recipient of the Vannevar Bush Award. He has increased opportunities for underrepresented minorities in science and mathematics through his work at Rice University. Tapia's efforts have led to significant progress in producing women and minority Ph.D.s in mathematical sciences.
Researchers found a shift in soil microbial communities as shrubs invaded remnant hill prairies, with woody fungal communities emerging in response to increased shrub density. This change could impact the ability to restore prairies, as shrubs may outcompete grasses and alter ecosystem function.
Scientists suggest ancestors of Native Americans lived in shrub-tundra refugia on Bering land bridge for 10,000 years. The environment provided resources such as wood for construction and fires, allowing people to persist during the last glacial maximum.
Researchers discovered that Native American ancestors may have settled in a region between Siberia and Alaska, using woody plants for fires to survive the Arctic winter. This finding fills a 10,000-year gap in the story of peopling the New World.
Researchers found that site quality affects the relationship between density and mortality in ponderosa pine stands. Thinning forest stands can reduce fuel buildup and enhance growth of residual trees, while early shrub removal and tree density control are most effective ways to reduce fuel buildup.
Researchers have created a cocktail boat that uses the Marangoni effect to move through an alcoholic drink, propelled by a difference in surface tension. A floral pipette resembling an upside-down flower captures and closes around a drop of liquid, serving as a palate cleanser.
Research reveals warmer winters allow native plants to grow earlier, but at the expense of native trees and their need for cold sleep. Invasive species, such as shrubs and certain tree species from warmer climate zones, take advantage of this altered timing to start growing earlier and thrive.
Researchers identify four native shrubs with potential as commercially viable nursery crops: Ceanothus americanus, Corylus cornuta, Lonicera canadensis, and Viburnum acerifolium. Successful propagation protocols are key to their success. Timing of cutting is crucial for optimal rooting, with Viburnum acerifolium showing the most promise.
A CU-Boulder study finds that poorly camouflaged insects can affect their broader ecological community when the appearance of the bug is mismatched with the plant it's living on. This can lead to a cascade of ecological impacts, including increased predation by birds and a subsequent decrease in arthropod populations.
A team of researchers at MIT has successfully created walking droplets that exhibit pilot-wave dynamics in action. These droplets are reminiscent of the pilot-wave theory proposed by Louis de Broglie and were previously thought to be exclusive to the microscopic quantum realm.
Researchers predict significant growth of trees and bushes in large parts of ice-free Greenland by 2100, with southern regions likely to become greener. The analysis identifies over 400,000 square kilometers suitable for forest flora, offering new opportunities for activities such as hunting and commercial exploitation.
MIT researchers have produced the fluidic analogue of the double-slit experiment and electron confinement in a circular corral, demonstrating remarkable accuracy in statistical behavior. This discovery offers insight into rational quantum dynamics and wave-particle duality.
A new study reveals that wolves' re-introduction to Yellowstone National Park has led to a resurgence of berries in the grizzly bear's diet, helping them gain weight before hibernation. The recovery of trees and shrubs has improved the bears' health and ecosystem balance.
A new study found that invasive plant species decrease biodiversity at small scales due to reduced light and nutrient availability, but have minimal impact at larger scales. This scale-dependent effect can lead to conflicting results in scientific research, highlighting the importance of considering local battles against invasive species.
Scientists have discovered a method using shrubs to create historical climate data on glaciers, providing more accurate predictions of future changes. The method allows researchers to extend the current record of glacier melting back by many decades, giving them a better understanding of how glaciers behave in the summer.
Scientists discovered a species of South American bush cricket has hearing that rivals human hearing, using an entirely different machinery. The insect's auditory system performs all three stages of mammalian hearing and converts air-borne sounds into liquid-borne vibrations.
A deep-sea squid species has been observed using a unique defensive strategy where it counter-attacks and then leaves its arm tips attached to the predator. This behavior allows the squid to create a diversion and escape from predators.
Researchers found that pre-Columbian human effects on the Amazon Basin were limited to small, mobile populations with minimal impact on the forest. The study overturns previous assumptions about large human settlements and agricultural practices in the region.
Researchers analyzed soil cores from 55 locations in central and western Amazonia, finding that early inhabitants lived near rivers but had little long-term impact on outlying forests. The study challenges the popular idea that the Amazon was a culturally altered landscape before European arrival.
Research reveals Arctic plants are adapting to rising temperatures by growing taller and expanding, particularly evergreen shrubs, with vascular species like shrubs and plants becoming more widespread
Researchers found that mesquite trees and woody shrubs outperform grasslands in coping with heat and water stress, despite being less adapted physiologically. The study suggests that deep roots allow mesquites to access groundwater inaccessible to shallow-rooted plants.
A study by Virginia Tech wildlife researcher Kathleen Alexander found that Botswana buffalo carry the brucellosis pathogen, which can be transmitted to humans through bush meat consumption. The disease can cause chronic fevers and joint pain in humans, and domestic livestock may need to be destroyed.
Chimpanzee populations living in close proximity exhibit substantially more genetic diversity than humans on different continents. This study provides a valuable tool for chimpanzee conservation, enabling the identification of population origin and provenance.
A study published in Psychological Review found that people with the best 'memory foraging' strategies are better at recalling items. Participants were asked to name as many animals as they could in three minutes and were compared to a classic model of optimal foraging, the marginal value theorem.
A NASA study using satellite data from Landsat missions has confirmed that warming temperatures in northern Quebec have resulted in an increase in shrubs and grasses over the past 20 years. The study provides a detailed view of how warmer temperatures are influencing plant distribution and density in northern areas of North America.
A new study by Steve Franzel and colleagues found that only 40% of expert farmers are effective disseminators, highlighting the importance of selecting farmer trainers based on their teaching skills. The study, conducted in Kenya with 225,000 smallholder farmers, suggests that extension programs should prioritize trainer selection over...
A neuroeconomics study from McGill University shows that the brain employs two separate regions and processes in valuing 'stimuli' (goods) versus 'actions'. The findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provide new insights into frontal lobe damage and its effects on decision making.