New feather mite species discovered on the endangered Okinawa rail
A research group led by Dr. Tsukasa Waki of Toho University and Professor Satoshi Shimanono of Hosei University have discovered a new mite species, Metanalges agachi, which is thought to clean the feathers of the endangered Okinawa rail, endemic to t.....»»
Scientists witness evolution in action when two lizard species meet for the first time
In South Florida, two Caribbean lizard species met for the first time. What followed provided some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action......»»
Spiderweb protocluster captured by Webb shows supermassive black holes can halt star formation
An international research team has used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe massive galaxies discovered by the Subaru Telescope in a corner of the early universe known as the Spiderweb protocluster. The JWST results confirm what had been.....»»
Ancient clay remedy may have potential to boost modern gut health
A team of scientists has discovered that an ancient medicinal clay known as Lemnian earth (LE) could inspire new understanding of how to support present-day gut health......»»
Topographic complexity: A blueprint for biodiversity conservation
In the intricate landscapes of karst regions, the subtle interplay of slopes, soils, and microclimates is shaping the survival of plant species. A new study published in Forest Ecosystems has revealed how the unique structure of dolines—topographic.....»»
Oxygen and chlorine evolution without noble metals: Electrode potential transforms MXene surfaces
MXenes are a class of two-dimensional materials that were discovered in 2011. Theoretical studies previously predicted that they would not be catalytically active in anodic processes. Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Kai S. Exner, head of the Department.....»»
New model maps monkey habitats to aid conservation efforts
A monkey mapping study could boost conservation of animal species that share their habitats with humans......»»
Critically endangered elephant found dead in Bali river
A critically endangered elephant living at a zoo on the Indonesian resort island of Bali was found dead in a river Tuesday after being swept away by strong currents following days of torrential rain, officials said......»»
UK"s inland bathing sites tainted by chemical pollutants and antibiotic resistant genes, researchers find
The U.K.'s rivers are contaminated with a mixture of chemical pollutants and antibiotic resistant genes, which could be causing severe harm to people and aquatic species, according to the findings of a new study......»»
Protective salt marshes along coasts are in danger across the globe but it"s not too late to act, researchers say
Salt marshes are among coastal habitats endangered by both rising sea levels and urban development......»»
World"s oldest mammalian ancestor discovered in Mallorca
An international research team led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) and the Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals (MUCBO | MBCN) have described a fossil animal that lived between 270 and 280 million years ago in present-da.....»»
Physics and emote design: Quantifying clarity in digital images
When analyzing artworks, understanding the visual clarity of compositions is crucial. Inspired by digital artists, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) researchers from the Mechanics and Materials Unit have created a metric to quantify.....»»
Threat of abrupt mortality events keeps endangered monkey population at risk, despite decades of growth
Despite the population being almost four times larger than it was in 1982, a new study published in the journal Ecology suggests the northern muriqui monkeys remain at risk, especially in the face of ongoing habitat disturbances......»»
What is a dark comet? A quick guide to the "new" kids in the solar system
In 2017, NASA discovered and later confirmed the first interstellar object to enter our solar system......»»
A biochip for fish detection using eDNA
Dolly Varden is a rare species of fish found in the Nooksack River basin of northwestern Washington state. Although they have flyrods in tow, Trout Unlimited volunteers' primary tool of choice is an environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling kit. This tool en.....»»
Closest relative of "magic mushroom" discovered in Africa
A team of biologists, mycologists and microbiologists in the U.S., South Africa and Zimbabwe reports that a species of mushroom growing in parts of Africa is the closest relative of Psilocybe cubensis, the most widespread hallucinogenic mushroom know.....»»
Newly discovered degradation process for mRNA could lead to clinical treatments
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a process that breaks down mRNA molecules in the human body particularly efficiently. This could be useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer. The study is published in Molecular Cell......»»
Completing the "timetree" of primates: A new way to map the evolutionary history of life on Earth
In a new article published in Frontiers in Bioinformatics, biologists Dr. Jack M Craig, Dr. Blair Hedges, and Dr. Sudhir Kumar, all at Temple University, have built an evolutionary tree that encompasses 455 primates, every species for which genetic d.....»»
Huge and rare Mekong catfish spotted in Cambodia, raising conservation hopes
Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish—one of the largest and rarest freshwater fish in the world—were caught and released recently in Cambodia, reviving hopes for the survival of the species......»»
AI tool enhances wildlife image analysis for climate change insights
A new AI image tool could aid the development of algorithms to analyze wildlife images to help improve understanding of how species around the world are responding to climate change, a study suggests......»»
A new twist: The molecular machines that loop chromosomes also twist DNA
Scientists from the Kavli Institute of Delft University of Technology and the IMP Vienna Biocenter have discovered a new property of the molecular motors that shape our chromosomes. While six years ago they found that these so-called SMC motor protei.....»»