Articles tagged with Trees
Children with tree nut allergies can safely eat some nuts as they grow older, according to a new study. Researchers found that 9% of children passed an oral food challenge test, and those with low levels of tree nut antibodies were more likely to succeed.
A study found that approximately 9% of children with tree nut allergies can outgrow their condition, including those who have had previous severe reactions. Children with multiple types of tree nut allergies are unlikely to outgrow their allergy.
A new study reveals that tree diversity in tropical forests plays a crucial role in determining their ability to store carbon and provide other essential ecosystem services. The researchers simulated different extinction scenarios and found that the types of trees remaining had a significant impact on carbon storage capacity.
A new study reveals that selective logging in the Amazon Basin causes widespread destruction, losing an area roughly twice the size of Connecticut annually. This practice, which removes one or two trees and leaves the rest intact, contributes to climate change by releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously assumed.
A new satellite imaging method detects selective logging in the Brazilian Amazon, revealing twice the extent of forest degradation as previously estimated. Logging causes major ecological disruptions, including increased carbon flow to the atmosphere and area damage.
Paleontologist Sankar Chatterjee presents evidence that dinosaurs like Microraptor gui used biplane wings, which were likely the first experiment in natural flight. The discovery supports the trees-down theory, suggesting that avian flight began with gliding and then developed into powered flight.
Research revealed that a massive pinyon pine die-off in the Southwest was caused by hot and dry conditions, which are predicted by global climate change models. The study found that temperatures coupled with drought led to tree mortality, affecting ecosystems for decades.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $19 million in grants to 36 US institutions to better understand genetic processes in plants of economic importance. Researchers will study hybrid vigor, seed production, and trees to develop new products and practices.
Airborne LiDAR technology has been successfully used to monitor and protect rare species such as California spotted owls and Delmarva fox squirrels. The system provides detailed measurements of forest canopy, tree height and biomass, enabling researchers to identify suitable habitats for endangered species.
A team of scientists, led by Henry Howe from the University of Illinois Chicago, will conduct a multi-year test to restore diversity to agricultural landscapes in Veracruz, Mexico. They aim to demonstrate that bird- and bat-dispersed seeds can connect isolated tree species, promoting species diversity.
The emerald ash borer's invasive beetle population is rapidly spreading in Ontario's ash forests, despite containment efforts. The insect's distribution expanded dramatically in 2004, infecting new sites beyond a previously created firewall in Essex County.
A Duke University study found that high carbon dioxide levels stimulate pine needles to grow more, even under drought conditions. The factor most affecting needle volumes was the amount of nitrogen present in the soils.
Researchers have developed a new technique using oxygen isotopes in tree rings to identify past hurricanes. By analyzing late-season growth, they found records of all known hurricanes that hit the Southeastern US over the past 50 years, and even back as far as 1450 AD.
A study by Duke University researchers found that pine trees under elevated CO2 levels experienced increased growth in some years, but not consistently. The findings suggest that pine trees may be able to improve water use efficiency, but the results are mixed and more research is needed.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that human arrival in the Americas led to the extinction of prehistoric ground sloths. This suggests that big-game hunters had a significant impact on animal populations, contributing to widespread extinctions.
Cornell researchers presented several studies on ecological issues, including a new study that found fruit-eating fish in South America may become extinct due to overfishing. Another study revealed that coral-disease systems are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, with small changes having significant impacts on the ecosystem.
University researchers have discovered a key gene in the monoterpene biosynthesis of bark beetles, which could lead to new methods to disrupt aggregation pheromone production. This breakthrough may help control devastating insect infestations such as those affecting Lake Tahoe and Western forests.
A study by Texas A&M AgriLife Communications reveals that planting containerized seedlings in the fall can significantly increase the survival rate of pine tree seedlings, with a 93% survival rate compared to 67%. The shift in reforestation methods may help landowners improve their forest land management and reduce waste.
Penn State researchers are using neutron activation analysis to measure gold in tree rings and link them to volcanic eruptions. By analyzing the rings' chemical composition, they can identify patterns and correlations with known volcanic events.
A new software called Notung allows researchers to identify genes that arose recently and understand their role in modern organisms. The tool uses evolutionary scenarios and gene duplications to provide insights into gene evolution and function.
A USGS study reveals that the world's most productive forests, which add new growth each year, have lower birth and death rates. However, if these rates suddenly stop or double, tree numbers would halve in just 30 years. The study suggests that environmental changes considered beneficial to forests may bring about unexpected changes.
Research reveals a parallel between global forest productivity patterns and tree birth and death rates. In contrast, highly productive tropical forests undergo rapid tree replacement cycles.
A dynamic landscape model developed by Lieven Claessens predicts landslide-prone areas and calculates rainfall effects. The research aims to conserve kauri forests, which have prevented landslides for over 1,000 years in New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
ParksWatch's investigation reveals widespread, unregulated mahogany logging within the remote Alto Purús National Park in the Peruvian Amazon. The report exposes the illicit trade of this valuable timber species, which threatens its survival and ecosystem health.
Researchers used high-altitude airborne imaging spectroscopy to identify two invading plant species, Myrica faya and Kahili ginger, in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The study found that these invaders are altering the forest ecosystem by changing leaf nitrogen and water content, with potential domino effects on native species.
Researchers used tree-ring data to reconstruct years of low river flows in the Columbia River Basin back 250 years, revealing six multiyear droughts that were much more severe than anything in recent memory. These droughts persisted for years, including one that lasted 12 years.
Researchers have discovered that most C. atratus workers can glide back to their home tree after falling, a behavior crucial for survival in the high-risk tropical forest canopy. The ants use visual orientation and mechanisms to change direction and maintain a steady glide path through the air.
Researchers discovered that gliding ants, like Cephalotes atratus, can land on tree trunks and climb back up, with 85% success rate. The ants' ability to change direction mid-air is still a mystery, but it's likely due to their unique morphology, including flattened hind legs and head flanges.
Scientists at the University of Nevada discovered that plants absorb mercury from the atmosphere through their leaves, releasing it back into the environment. This finding has significant global implications for mercury controls and highlights the need for a collaborative effort to mitigate mercury pollution.
Dwarf mistletoe has an extreme water-pump seed ejection system that fires seeds up to 20 meters. This discovery could aid disease control by targeting the unique characteristics of dwarf mistletoe reproduction.
A NASA study reveals that planting trees on marginal agricultural lands can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially offsetting one-fifth of the US's annual fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, research suggests that insect outbreaks linked to droughts and heat waves may contribute to increased greenhouse gas levels.
Researchers identified phenolic compounds in pine bark extract with high biological activity, including potent inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin production. The study suggests that consuming pine bark-based food supplements may help alleviate arthritis symptoms.
A Stanford University team is working to restore native forests in Hawaii by offering landowners financial incentives. They are focusing on the restoration of koa trees, which provide numerous ecosystem services including recharging freshwater aquifers and storing carbon.
The loss of gray wolves in western North America has triggered ecological effects on elk populations, beaver, birds, fish, and even tree species, leading to collapsing health of aspen and other vegetation.
Researchers constructed a phylogenetic tree using only 16,000 protein and DNA sequences from green plants, demonstrating the power of data-driven approaches in biology. By leveraging sequence databases, scientists can now refine their understanding of biodiversity with greater precision.
A five-year study by Virginia Tech researchers found that lead bullets do not leach into water tables or streams after landing on controlled shooting ranges. The study's findings suggest that lead is mostly absorbed in the top few inches of soil and does not pose a significant risk to wildlife.
Studies suggest that maximum parsimony, a simpler method, is more accurate than maximum likelihood in inferring historical relationships among species. The results published in Nature challenge the state-of-the-art technique's accuracy and highlight its limitations.
A multi-species herbivore outbreak occurred in Panama following an El Niño drought, causing moth larvae to devour 250% more leaf material than usual. The short-lived event was brought under control quickly by natural predators and diseases, but highlights the potential impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
A $3 million NSF grant is enabling researchers to combine expertise and solve classification problems for flowering plants. The new system has broken up traditional groups and shuffled others, with Amborella forming the base of the tree.
A Princeton University study found that changes in U.S. forests caused by land use practices have increased the emission of smog-producing chemicals from trees, which may have worsened ozone pollution in some parts of the country. The study suggests that intensified tree farming and other land use changes have altered the mix of trees ...
The poplar's genome has been cracked, revealing potential genes specific to trees that could aid in combating global warming. By comparing the genomes of Populus and Arabidopsis, researchers hope to identify tree-specific genes that can be used to modify trees for better energy production and wood quality.
The DOE has successfully sequenced the poplar tree's genome, providing a critical resource for developing faster-growing trees and increasing biomass conversion. Researchers aim to engineer trees that can sequester more carbon from the atmosphere, potentially helping mitigate global warming.
A groundbreaking study reveals a comprehensive genetic map of important tree genes, enabling scientists to unlock the secrets of tree biology. The database contains over 102,000 gene sequences from the Populus genus, allowing researchers to explore the genetic functions of trees and their responses to environmental stresses.
Duke University researchers studied tree roots in place, finding they adjust anatomy and physiology to maximize water transport deep underground. The findings improve theoretical models of water transport within trees, revealing the importance of deep roots in efficient water flow.
A new study found that three mahogany species require specialized soils with specific plant nutrients, limiting their distribution. The research has significant implications for forest management and 'green' certified timber.
The study suggests that the fear of wolves among herbivores influences vegetation growth in Yellowstone. Restoration goals should focus on recovering natural processes, rather than managing specific species. The findings have implications for other regions with similar ecological dynamics.
A Duke University study challenges the idea that trees can 'relocate' quickly in response to climate change by analyzing genetic data. The research suggests that many tree species may have remained closer to ancient ice sheets than previously thought, limiting their ability to migrate rapidly.
Researchers found that buffelgrass, an invasive non-native species, grabs water before foothill palo verde trees can, ultimately killing them. The grass reduces the available water to trees, exacerbating drought conditions and causing self-pruning, a natural defense mechanism for the trees.
A University of Utah study found that insect consumption by insects keeps dominant tree species under control, allowing other trees to thrive. This increased diversity is crucial for the ecosystem's health.
A biologist studied the tree hole ecosystem and found that changing factors such as predation, resources, and disturbance alters community composition. The results show that certain species are tolerant of predators, disturbances, or competition, allowing them to coexist in different spatial scales.
Researchers have successfully mapped the genomes of two devastating fungal pathogens, Phytophtora sojae and Phytophtora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death disease. The genome sequences will aid in developing better detection methods and tracking the spread of the disease.
Research reveals that European trees are limited in their ability to track climate changes, with many species occupying less than half of their suitable range. This limitation is attributed to dispersal restriction, suggesting that most species will struggle to adapt to future warming.
Researchers found that partial defoliation stimulates micro-organisms to release more nitrogen in the soil. This increase in nitrogen availability allows certain trees to grow larger leaves and recover from initial damage.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to identify genes in tree species, paving the way for domesticated trees. This breakthrough aims to reduce the need for logging wilderness areas by producing ideal characteristics such as insect resistance or improved wood properties.
Researchers at Lund Institute of Technology have created nanoscale trees using controlled seeding, enabling complex structures for various applications. The technology offers potential for converting sunlight to electricity and creating efficient light panels.
Researchers develop new methods to assess carbon uptake in Western mountain forests, which are affected by drought. By combining airborne data with ground-based measurements, scientists can better understand natural processes involved in forest-air carbon exchange.
A comprehensive study of plant physiology has found that fast-growing plants (hares) are more susceptible to pollution, while slower-growing plants (tortoises) are better adapted to control energy consumption. The research provides insights into how plants respond to environmental changes.
Alpine tree lines are shifting up-slope due to global warming, threatening regional plant populations. The study suggests that pine trees could help protect drinking water catchments from erosion and pollution in the City of Vienna.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that even brief contact with wood or leaf litter increases the risk of tick exposure. Precautions such as avoiding prolonged contact and inspecting skin carefully are recommended for people frequenting endemic areas.
Researchers found evidence of Heterobasidion annosum pathogen originating from eastern North America, likely hitching a ride in untreated lumber from infected trees. The pathogen has since established itself in the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano, killing large swaths of stone pine trees.