New oak species found in Guangxi
Oak (genus Quercus), comprising approximately 469 species of ornamental and timber trees and shrubs in the beech family (Fagaceae), is a dominant woody lineage in forest ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere......»»
Fossil discovery reveals giant worm lizard with snail-cracking jaws
An international team of researchers has discovered a new fossil worm lizard species in Tunisia. Terastiodontosaurus marcelosanchezi is the largest known species of the Amphisbaenia group, with a skull length of over five centimeters......»»
More than 40% of coral species face extinction, according to new research
Following a global assessment, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has revealed that 44% of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction. The announcement was made at the ongoing COP29 UN climate conference......»»
DNA-based methods found highly effective for identifying insect species
A team of researchers from Linnaeus University and Linköping University, extensively evaluated DNA barcoding and metabarcoding methods. A comprehensive study has demonstrated that DNA-based methods are remarkably reliable for identifying insect spec.....»»
Wild chimpanzees play as adults to better cooperate as a group, researchers suggest
Compared to children, adults don't play as much, but social play into adulthood is considered a universal human trait. Play has a role in building tolerance, cohesion, bonding, and cooperation. By comparison, play in adults of other species has been.....»»
Scientists uncover cross-species neural mechanism for early detection of life motion in visual processing
Visual systems of both humans and animals can detect life motion from the environment at the earliest stage of visual processing, research by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) uncovered......»»
Scientists develop culture system to unlock secrets of the skin microbiome
The human skin is home to a wide variety of bacteria. The composition of the community of bacteria—called the "skin microbiota"—has serious implications for skin health. A healthy balance between different species of bacteria on the skin often tr.....»»
Mixed forests can reduce the risk of forest damage in a warmer climate
Forests with few tree species pose a considerably higher risk of being damaged, and the introduced lodgepole pine is especially vulnerable. This is the finding of a new study published in Ecosphere by researchers from Umeå University and the Swedish.....»»
Reef studies highlight missing clues to conserve fish species
In Australia, shellfish reef restoration projects are helping to recover degraded coastal systems and enhance fish habitat, but much more research is needed to support and evaluate these efforts, researchers say......»»
Carbon credits scheme failing threatened species, says study
New research shows that most areas under a federal government scheme designed to reduce carbon emissions or store carbon don't protect the habitat of threatened species......»»
Diverse diets of civets in Borneo rainforest allow them to live in same geographical area
Four closely related civets, a small nocturnal animal found in Africa and Asia, have made the same geographical area in the rainforests of Borneo home. Typically, closely related animal species have difficulty coexisting because they are competing fo.....»»
Life in the world"s deepest seas: The challenge of finding 1,000 new marine species by 2030
Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface, but despite their immense size and impact on the planet, we know very little about them. While many of us might associate the sea with relaxing holidays on tropical beaches, the ocean is nothing but cold, dark.....»»
Mathematical modeling study demonstrates gene drives could boost malaria control when added to intervention package
The Target Malaria UK modeling team at Imperial College London has published their latest study in Nature Communications, titled "The potential of gene drives in malaria vector species to control malaria in African environments.".....»»
Ankylosaurid dinosaur, unearthed in China in 1986, identified as a new species
A team of archaeologists and paleontologists at the Jiangxi Provincial Museum, working with colleagues from Yunnan University, all in China, has found that the unearthed skeletal remains of an ankylosaurid dinosaur uncovered in 1986 at a dig site at.....»»
Dramatic decline in Tongariro"s native plants as invasive heather spreads
Native plants in the Tongariro National Park are being hit hard by the spread of invasive heather with a 40% to 50% drop in native species in some areas, a new study published in Oecologia has found......»»
Scientists discover the molecular composition of potentially deadly venomous fish
New research in FEBS Open Bio reveals insights into the venom of two of the most venomous fish species on Earth: the estuarine stonefish (Synanceia horrida) and the reef stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa), which are typically found in the warm and shall.....»»
Collaboration uncovers mechanisms of an African plant with anti-HIV potential
A collaboration between The Wistar Institute and the University of Buea in Cameroon has uncovered the mechanisms for a medicinal plant with anti-HIV potential in Croton oligandrus Pierre & Hutch, a species of African tree that has been used in tradit.....»»
Book Review: How Oak Trees Warn Us about the Limits of Adapting to Climate Change
Oak trees have genetic flexibility that allows them to solve ecological problems. But even they will need our help to survive climate change.....»»
Should Offshore Oil Rigs Be Turned into Artificial Reefs?
Oil rigs around the world are habitats for marine species. When they stop producing oil, should they be removed or allowed to stay?.....»»
Reward of $100,000 offered in mysterious death of beloved Mexican gray wolf in Arizona
A beloved Mexican gray wolf, who was known among conservationists as a symbol of hope for the endangered species, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Arizona......»»
With new imaging approach, scientists closely analyze microbial adhesive interactions
Scientists have identified many types of bacteria in the mouth, but many problems remain in understanding how they work with one another. One of the problems is that microbes assemble themselves into densely packed multi-species biofilms. Their densi.....»»