Bird Populations Are in Meltdown
Humans rely on birds to eat insects, spread seeds, and pollinate plants—but these feathered friends can’t survive without their habitats......»»
DNA analyses show the plague may have caused the downfall of Stone Age farmers
Ancient DNA from bones and teeth hints at a role of the plague in Stone Age population collapse. Contrary to previous beliefs, the plague may have diminished Europe's populations long before the major plague outbreaks of the Middle Ages, new research.....»»
Wolves" return has had only small impact on deer populations in Washington state, study shows
Humans drove wolves to extinction in Washington state around the 1930s. Thanks to conservation efforts, by about 80 years later, wolves had returned—crossing first from the Canadian border into Washington around 2008 and later entering the state fr.....»»
How to ensure higher-density housing developments still have enough space for residents" recreation needs
Growing populations and housing shortages are affecting cities worldwide, including in Australia. It's driving them to adopt high-density development near public transport hubs instead of endless suburban sprawl on city fringes......»»
US Government Awards Moderna $176 Million for mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine
As fears of a pandemic mount, the biotech company’s mRNA vaccine trial is set to release Phase 1/2 results later this year, with a larger Phase 3 trial expected to begin in 2025......»»
US reports fourth human case of bird flu linked to cows
US officials on Wednesday reported the country's fourth human case of bird flu linked to the current outbreak of the virus in dairy cattle......»»
Some birds win and some lose with sea level rise, expert says
Global sea level rise is accelerating every year due to climate change, and it could threaten the very existence of some coastal bird species......»»
Study reveals ancient Nile floods were highly variable during wetter climates
Global warming as well as recent droughts and floods threaten large populations along the Nile Valley. Understanding how such a large river will respond to an invigorated hydrological cycle is therefore a pressing issue. Insights can be gained by stu.....»»
Exploring bird breeding behavior and microbiomes in the radioactive Chornobyl Exclusion Zone
New research finds surprising differences in the diets and gut microbiomes of songbirds living in the radiation-contaminated areas of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine. This study is also the first to examine the breeding behavior and early life.....»»
It"s a challenging drive to Washington"s ocean beaches as state spends billions to help fish
It took 50 million years for salmon to evolve and only about 50 years to nearly wipe them out. Now, Washington's native salmon and steelhead populations are getting a reprieve—one stream at a time......»»
US prepares for bird flu pandemic with $176M Moderna vaccine deal
Phase 3 trial is expected to begin next year. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Justin Sullivan) The US government will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA vaccine against a pandemic influenza—an award given as the high.....»»
Unveiling sea country management monitoring trends in Australia
AIMS scientists have partnered with Indigenous communities in the remote Kimberley region of Australia's northwest to monitor culturally important fish populations on coral reefs and incorporate the variability in data to better inform sea country ma.....»»
Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu
The bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows is prompting development of new, next-generation mRNA vaccines—akin to COVID-19 shots—that are being tested in both animals and people......»»
Third human case of bird flu from cows—this one with respiratory symptoms
The first case in Texas and two in Michigan are not connected to each other. Enlarge / Holstein cows at a dairy farm. (credit: Getty | John Carl D'Annibale) Another dairy farm worker in Michigan has been infected with av.....»»
As bird flu spreads in cows, US close to funding Moderna’s mRNA H5 vaccine
If trials are successful, US government likely to buy doses for vaccine stockpile. Enlarge (credit: Digicom Photo/Science Photo Library via Getty) The US government is nearing an agreement to bankroll a late-stage trial.....»»
Alpacas in Idaho test positive for H5N1 bird flu in another world first
The alpacas were known to be in close contact with infected birds. Enlarge / Suri alpacas on a farm in Pennsylvania. (credit: Getty | Susan L. Angstadt) Four backyard alpacas in southern Idaho have tested positive for hi.....»»
Bird flu detected in alpacas in US for the first time
Cases of bird flu have been detected in alpacas at a US farm, authorities said Tuesday, as the disease spreads widely among dairy cattle and has infected two humans......»»
US has worst bird flu outbreak in two years at Iowa egg farm
Deadly bird flu was detected in an egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa, affecting 4.2 million birds in the biggest U.S. outbreak since 2022......»»
Recovery of Brazil"s Spix"s macaw, popularized in animated "Rio" films, threatened by climate change
All Spix's macaws are majestically blue in the blazing sun of Brazil's Northeast, but each bird is distinct to Candice and Cromwell Purchase. As the parrots soar squawking past their home, the couple can readily identify bird No. 17 by its smooth fea.....»»
US dairy cows are tip of the iceberg as bird flu spreads in mammals globally, says ecologist
Health authorities are working to gather information on the spread of the H5N1 virus, or bird flu, in U.S. dairy cows—the first confirmation of the virus in cattle......»»
Climate change is moving tree populations away from the soil fungi that sustain them
As our planet warms, many species are shifting to different locations as their historical habitats become inhospitable. Trees are no exception—many species' normal ranges are no longer conducive to their health, but their shift to new areas that co.....»»