Bats with white-nose syndrome prefer suboptimal habitats despite the consequences
Since 2006, a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome has caused sharp declines in bat populations across the eastern United States. The fungus that causes the disease, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, thrives in subterranean habitats where bats hiber.....»»
New way to analyze riblet denticles on modern great white sharks sheds light on swimming speed
A team of engineers and zoologists affiliated with several institutions in Japan has developed a new way to study riblet denticles on shark skin. In their study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, the group used their new techni.....»»
"Floating duck syndrome" can trick people into working hard while failing to achieve their goals
When people present themselves as being effortlessly high-achieving or "perfect," this phenomenon can deceive onlookers into believing success is more easily achieved than it actually is—and lead them to underinvest effort towards their goals and t.....»»
The unintended consequences of success against malaria
For decades, insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor insecticide spraying regimens have been important—and widely successful—treatments against mosquitoes that transmit malaria, a dangerous global disease. Yet for a time, these treatments also su.....»»
Low-intensity grassland is better able to withstand the consequences of climate change
Climate change will have a considerable influence on the biodiversity and productivity of meadows and pastures. However, according to the results of the large-scale climate and land use experiment, the extent of these changes depends on the land use......»»
Stepping stones for wildlife: How linking up isolated habitats can help nature thrive in our cities
Imagine you're a fairywren living in a patch of scrub behind a schoolyard in the suburbs. It's been pretty nice so far, but a recent increase in neighborhood cats and the council's insect control tactics mean it's time to look for somewhere safer to.....»»
Wetland wonders unfold: Aerial systems shed light on ecosystem services
Coastal wetlands, situated at the junction of land and water, are vital ecosystems known for their high productivity. They play a key role in carbon sequestration, storm buffering, and providing habitats for diverse species. However, these critical a.....»»
Project to sequence genomes of 40,000 plant, animal and fungi species in Catalan-speaking territories
Biodiversity loss is one of the most alarming threads the planet faces. Degraded habitats, overexploited resources, climate crisis and invasive species are some of the factors that threaten the richness and variety of living species......»»
Researchers identify structural characteristics of newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to adapt to the herd immunity background and evolve into numerous sub-variants......»»
Study: Vps21 signaling pathway regulates white-opaque switching and mating in Candida albicans
In a paper published in Mycology, a team of scientists present that the conserved Vps21 signaling pathway plays critical roles in the regulation of white-opaque switching and mating in the major human fungal pathogen C. albicans......»»
Netflix Pulls VR App from Quest Store
You can still watch via the Quest web browser, fortunately. The post Netflix Pulls VR App from Quest Store appeared first on Phandroid. While some folks would prefer to use their VR headsets (regardless of brand) to stream content from the.....»»
Enzyme-powered "snot bots" help deliver drugs in sticky situations
Snot might not be the first place you'd expect nanobots to be swimming around. But this slimy secretion exists in more places than just your nose and piles of dirty tissues—it also lines and helps protect the lungs, stomach, intestines and eyes. An.....»»
Astronomers detect dozens of new pulsating white dwarfs
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers have detected 32 new bright pulsating DA white dwarfs of the ZZ Ceti subclass. The finding was reported in a research paper published July 9 on the pre-print server arXiv......»»
Study shows naming farm animals reduces preschoolers" desire to eat them
Giving a chicken, turkey or pig a name and pointing out its individual qualities may change children's attitudes towards animals. It makes children perceive animals as more similar to humans. They will prefer to befriend the animals rather than eat t.....»»
New study models NZ habitats most vulnerable to gold clam invasion
A new study published in the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research has modeled which habitats in Aotearoa New Zealand might be most vulnerable to gold clam invasion in the hope that management efforts can be targeted effectively......»»
As alpine glaciers melt, the corpses of long-lost climbers are being discovered in the ice
In late June, as a group of mountaineers descended a treacherous glacier high in the Peruvian Andes, they spotted a dark, out-of-place lump resting on the blinding white snow......»»
DNA tests confirm shark that bit California swimmer was juvenile white shark
A shark that bit a swimmer in Del Mar last month, leaving the man hospitalized with significant wounds, was a juvenile white shark, likely around 9 feet long and 6 to 8 years old......»»
Highway to hell? Plan for Germany"s biggest motorway sparks anger
A proposal to create Germany's biggest motorway has sparked a backlash, with critics fearful the "monstrosity" will increase climate-damaging emissions, worsen noise pollution and harm biodiverse habitats......»»
A stealth fungus has decimated North American bats, but scientists may be a step closer to treating white-nose syndrome
An invasive fungus that colonizes the skin of hibernating bats with deadly consequences is a stealthy invader that uses multiple strategies to slip into the small mammals' skin cells and quietly manipulate them to aid its own survival. The fungus, wh.....»»
Unusual rainfall brings winter flowers to Chile"s Atacama desert
Large swaths of the Atacama desert, the driest on the planet, have been covered with purple and white flowers after unusual rainfall patterns in northern Chile......»»
Advanced imaging reveals how a parasitic "kiss" alters cell metabolism
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, a lifelong chronic infection prevalent in about 30% of the human population. It poses little harm to healthy individuals, but can result in severe consequences for immunocompromised peopl.....»»