Soil microbes play a key role in plant disease resistance
Scientists have discovered that soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease — opening new possibilities for sustainable food production.
Read moreExotic Species
Private boats in the Mediterranean have extremely high potential to spread alien species
A Mediterranean wide study has found that 71% of sampled recreational boats hosted alien marine species. Over half carried an alien species that was not yet present in the marina the boat was visiting.
Read morePesticide exposure may increase heart disease and stroke risk
Occupational exposure to high levels of pesticides may raise the risk of heart disease and stroke, even in generally healthy men. The study emphasizes the importance of using protective gear when handling pesticides on the job and including pesticide exposure in your medical history.
Read moreBats use private and social information as they hunt
As some of the most savvy and sophisticated predators out there, bats eavesdrop on their prey and even on other bats to collect a wide variety of information as they hunt.
Read moreBee biodiversity barometer on Fiji
The biodiversity buzz is alive and well in Fiji, but climate change, noxious weeds and multiple human activities are making possible extinction a counter buzzword. Just as Australian researchers are finding colourful new bee species, some of them are already showing signs of exposure to environmental changes.
Read moreWhy the lettuce mitochondrial genome is like a chopped salad
The genomes of mitochondria are usually depicted as rings or circles. But in plants, 1 ring does not rule them all. A new study of lettuce shows that the mitochondrial genome often forms branching structures with elements that can be swapped around like a chopped salad.
Read moreTo grow or to flower: Genes IDed in early land plant descendant also found in modern crops
Since they first arrived on land, plants have likely been using the same genetic tools to regulate whether they grow bigger or reproduce. The discovery was made using liverwort, one descendant of the first plants to move out of the ancient oceans and onto land.
Read moreNew microbe discovered in wheat stem sawfly
A new article discusses the potential ramifications of the discovery for combating the serious damage done by sawflies.
Read moreUnderstanding gaps in conservation data
A new study seeks to understand the type and magnitude of gaps in scientific information as a way to improve conservation planning.
Read moreGuppies teach us why evolution happens
New study on guppies shows that animals evolve in response the the environment they create in the absence of predators, rather than in response to the risk of being eaten.
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