Nature"s checkup: Surveying biodiversity with environmental DNA sequencing
A thousand kilometers south of Tokyo, far into the largest ocean on Earth, lies a chain of small, volcanic islands—the Ogasawara Islands. Nature has been able to develop on its own terms here, far from both humans and the warm Kuroshio current, whi.....»»
RNA sequencing approach offers real-time and programmable transcriptome sequencing
The high complexity and diversity of the eukaryotic transcriptome poses significant challenges for the efficient detection of specific transcripts. Conventional targeted RNA-seq methods often require labor-intensive pre-sequencing enrichment steps, w.....»»
Computational model calculates an organism"s ideal learning rate based on its life cycle and surroundings
Researchers at the Complexity Science Hub and Santa Fe Institute have developed a model to calculate how quickly or slowly an organism should ideally learn in its surroundings. An organism's ideal learning rate depends on the pace of environmental ch.....»»
Work with nature to unlock economic prosperity, researchers say
A comprehensive review of the economic impacts of nature-based solutions (NbS), led by the University of Oxford and published this week in PLOS Climate, concludes they can unlock prosperity by boosting local economies, increasing agricultural product.....»»
New method successfully recycles carbon fiber composite into reusable materials
USC researchers have developed a new process to upcycle the composite materials appearing in automobile panels and light rail vehicles, addressing a current environmental challenge in the transportation and energy sectors. The study recently appeared.....»»
As Musk seeks to launch tens of thousands of Starlink satellites, space researchers urge caution
Over 100 space researchers signed a letter urging the federal government to perform an environmental review before allowing SpaceX to continue launching thousands of satellites for its internet service, Starlink......»»
One in Three Tree Species Is at Risk of Extinction
A review of 47,282 tree species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that more than one third are at risk of extinction.....»»
A remarkable fossil assemblage gets a new interpretation
A team of paleontologists recently discovered that an ancient seascape known for its diverse assemblage of exceptionally preserved fossils represents an unexpected oceanic setting, placing the fossils in an environmental context that is dramatically.....»»
Hedgehogs are now officially in dramatic decline in Europe, researchers warn
The European hedgehog—a valued and charming visitor to gardens—is now officially in decline all over Europe. In today's update of their red list for Europe, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is therefore categorizing t.....»»
Large meltwater accumulation revealed inside Greenland Ice Sheet
A new study published in Nature unveils a surprising discovery: a substantial amount of meltwater is temporarily stored within the Greenland Ice Sheet during summer months. For the first time, an international group of researchers was able to quantif.....»»
Who should get paid for nature"s sequenced genes?
Much of the vanilla that flavors our ice cream today is artificial, derived from the genetic signature of a plant that hundreds of years ago was known only to an Indigenous Mexican tribe......»»
Advanced imaging uncovers 12 new weevil species
Jake Lewis, an entomologist in the Environmental Science and Informatics Section at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is fascinated by weevils, a diverse group of beetles that includes many species with elephant trunk-like mouth.....»»
Chromium-62 study helps researchers better understand shapes around islands of inversion
In a recent paper in Nature Physics, an international research collaboration used world-class instrumentation at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to study the exotic nuclide, or rare isotope, chromium-62......»»
Modified metal-organic framework can capture benzene in the atmosphere to tackle a major health risk
Scientists have developed a new material capable of capturing the harmful chemical benzene from the polluted air, offering a potential solution for tackling a major health and environmental risk......»»
How can you write data to DNA without changing the base sequence?
A new method lets anyone with a kit write data to DNA with just one enzyme. Zettabytes—that’s 1021 bytes—of data are currently generated every year. All of those cat videos.....»»
Indonesia study evaluates potential of alternative measures for biodiversity conservation
At COP16 in Calí, Colombia, member states are currently discussing how the global nature agreement adopted in Montreal in 2022 can be implemented. The goals include protecting 30% of the world's land and sea areas by 2030......»»
Sustainable oyster harvesting in the Stone Age: Lessons for modern nature conservation
Oysters play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem as they filter water, create habitats and support the nutrient cycle. Today, they are considered endangered in many parts of the world......»»
Why building more big dams could be a costly gamble for future water security and the environment
Climate change and biodiversity loss are mounting threats to Australia's water security. So we often hear calls for more dams. But is that the answer?.....»»
Japan-style "tiny forests" are taking root in British cities
A staggering 1 in 3 people in England lack access to nature-rich spaces within a short walk from their homes. Now, a growing movement is bringing nature back to cities across the UK. The Miyawaki forest method involves planting a diverse mix of dense.....»»
Scientist on personal mission to improve global water safety makes groundbreaking discovery
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters and led by the University of Bristol sheds new light on how arsenic can be made less dangerous to humans has the potential to dramatically improve water and food safety, especially in th.....»»
A global imbalance in reference genomes: Research highlights need for sequencing resources in biodiversity-rich areas
Montana State University and Universidad de los Andes researchers have detected a significant imbalance in the distribution of tetrapod reference genomes. They find a disproportionate concentration of studies in high-latitude regions compared to wher.....»»