Egyptian fruit bat pups steer echolocation beams from day zero
A trio of researchers with Tel Aviv University's School of Zoology has found that newly born Egyptian fruit bats are capable of steering echolocation beams. In their paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Grace Smarsh, Yif.....»»
Genomic study illuminates mango"s heritage and future
Mango, a tropical fruit with a long cultivation history, faces significant challenges such as low genetic diversity and limited breeding improvements due to complex domestication and self-pollination. These issues hinder genetic advancements in trait.....»»
How fruit flies use internal representations of head direction to support goal-directed navigation
Animal behavior is known to rely on transforming sensory information into motor commands, often influenced by an animal's internal needs. While in mammals and other large animals this process is supported by complex brain processes, simpler versions.....»»
Floods submerge Vietnam"s dragon fruit farms
Floods submerged hundreds of hectares of dragon fruit farms in south Vietnam, residents told AFP on Thursday, with many villagers forced to seek shelter on higher ground......»»
Love is blind for male fruit flies, who will choose sex over safety
Male fruit flies will become oblivious to physical danger as they become more engaged in courtship and sex, new research shows......»»
From antiquity to adaptation: Tracing the genetic journey of east Asian chestnut varieties
Uncovering the genetic saga of Castanea trees, a study maps their evolutionary journey and local climate adaptations. This research reveals the genetic markers and molecular mechanisms that have allowed these nut fruit trees to adapt and flourish acr.....»»
Tomato ripening study highlights cell wall component interactions
Tomato fruit ripening involves intricate biochemical and structural changes, particularly within the cell wall, which are vital for the fruit's final texture and quality. These changes include modifications in polysaccharides and proteins, but the sp.....»»
How engineered walnuts combat drought through grafting
Drought is a major threat to walnut production globally, often resulting in lower yields and weaker trees. While grafting has traditionally been used to improve the resilience of fruit and nut trees, the exact mechanisms of signal transfer between ro.....»»
Astronomers think they’ve found a plausible explanation of the Wow! signal
Magnetars could zap clouds of atomic hydrogen, producing focused microwave beams. Enlarge / The Wow! signal, represented as "6EQUJ5," was discovered in 1977 by astronomer Jerry Ehman. (credit: Public domain) An unusually.....»»
From genome to grocer"s aisle: Decoding the Chinese cherry for firmer fruits
A significant milestone in horticultural genomics has been reached with the successful decoding of the tetraploid Chinese cherry genome. A recent study provides essential insights into the genetic factors that influence fruit firmness, a critical tra.....»»
Brazil fishermen turn to mobile app to combat pollution scourge
Brazilian activist and fisherman Alexandre Anderson uses one hand to steer his boat, and the other to film an oil stain spreading over Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay......»»
The application of Sapindus mukurossi extract in sebum-control shampoos
Sapindus mukurossi, a fruit from a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae family, is widely cultivated in Southern China. Before the advent of modern synthetic detergents, its peel was commonly used to make soap due to its high saponin content......»»
Evidence stacks up for poisonous books containing toxic dyes
If you come across brightly colored, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, you might want to handle them gently, or even steer clear altogether. Some of their attractive hues come from dyes that could pose a health risk to readers, collectors or.....»»
Exotic eye worm rapidly invades US by spreading from testes of fruit flies
The spread to bears shows the worm is gaining ground and new hosts in the US. Enlarge / An adult Thelazia callipaeda in the eye of a cat. In a battle of bear versus exotic eye worm, the eye worm wins—and that's bad ne.....»»
At its core, life is all about play—just look at the animal kingdom
At Cambridge University Library, along with all the books, maps and manuscripts, there's a child's drawing that curators have titled "The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers.".....»»
In drought-hit Sicily, rainwater is dumped in the sea
Sicilian lemon producer Rosario Cognata is furious: his fruit is withering due to the drought, while just a few kilometers away rainwater is being dumped into the sea......»»
Unlocking the genetic secrets of strawberries for superior fruit quality
Strawberries, treasured for their flavor and health benefits, have been at the forefront of breeding programs targeting enhanced sensory and nutritional profiles. Despite advances, the intricate genetic makeup of these fruits has complicated efforts.....»»
Lemurs use long-term memory, smell, and social cues to find food
How do foraging animals find their food? A new study by New York University researchers shows that lemurs use smell, social cues, and long-term memory to locate hidden fruit—a combination of factors that may have deep evolutionary roots......»»
Plants offer fruit to insects to disperse dust-like seeds, botanist discovers
Fruit exist to invite animals to disperse the swallowed seeds. A Kobe University research team found that plants targeting insects rather than birds or mammals for this service are more common than previously thought. These plants produce dust-like s.....»»
How plants become bushy, or not: New study sheds light on hormone that controls branching
For many plants, more branches means more fruit. But what causes a plant to grow branches? New research from the University of California, Davis shows how plants break down the hormone strigolactone, which suppresses branching, to become more "bushy......»»
How the last meal of a 3,000-year-old Egyptian crocodile was revealed using modern science
What do you think of when you think about ancient Egyptian mummies? Perhaps your mind takes you back to a school trip to the museum, when you came face to face with a mummified person inside a glass case. Or maybe you think of mummies as depicted by.....»»