New species of pirate spiders discovered on South Atlantic island
On a remote tropical island in the Atlantic Ocean, a pair of marooned pirates have been discovered. While they lack eyepatches and cutlasses, the two new species of pirate spider certainly live up to their nautical name, which refers to their habit o.....»»
Neanderthals and modern humans must be classed as separate species to best track our origins, study claims
A new study published by researchers at London's Natural History Museum and Institute of Philosophy, KU Leuven has reinforced the claim that Neanderthals and modern-day humans (Homo sapiens) must be classed as separate species in order to best track.....»»
Four new mushroom species discovered in Sweden
A researcher at Uppsala University has discovered four new mushrooms, three of which are found in Sweden—where they are already threatened with extinction. It is a case of hidden species diversity in the group of hydnoid fungi......»»
Hybrid statistical technique for predicting extreme weather events in South Florida
An innovative technique for predicting extreme weather events in South Florida has emerged from researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The innovation specifically addresses the challenges of forecasting extreme heat and heavy rainfall......»»
"Exceptional" wildfires across Americas in 2024: EU monitor
Severe drought stoked rampant wildfires across North and South America this year and churned up record carbon pollution in Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Pantanal wetlands, according to new data from Europe's climate monitor......»»
These spiders listen for prey before hurling webs like slingshots
Ballistic webs can reach speeds of nearly 1 m/s to catch mosquitoes within 38 milliseconds. A tethered mosquito approaches the web in the path of release of the cone, and.....»»
Unique microbial communities discovered beneath frozen surface of Antarctica"s Lake Enigma
An international team of polar researchers has found several types of microbiota living in the water below the frozen surface of Antarctica's Lake Enigma. In their study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, group members vent.....»»
The dual role of insects in parasitic plant reproduction solves a long-standing botanical mystery
In the dark and moist understories of the subtropical forests of Shimoshima Island in Japan grow parasitic plants that feed on the roots of other plants. They are called Balanophora, and for over a century, the mechanism of their seed dispersal has r.....»»
Warming oceans are changing marine habitats. A new study explores the impact on thousands of species
Every year, human activities release billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the Sun, making the Earth warmer than it would be without them. Over 90% of the extra heat from greenhouse gases gets absorbed b.....»»
Deep seabed mining: Bad for biodiversity and terrible for the economy
The debate around deep seabed mining has been gaining attention as concerns mount about its potential impacts on ocean ecosystems. The ocean is host to countless species yet to be discovered, some of which could hold the key to breakthroughs in medic.....»»
New pathway found for regulating zinc in E. coli
Cornell researchers have discovered a pathway by which E. coli regulates all-important zinc levels, an insight that could advance the understanding of metal regulation in bacteria generally and lead to antibacterial applications such as in medical in.....»»
Study confirms two forms of longtooth groupers in Asia are separate species of fish
A team of marine biologists from the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, also in Japan, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, has found via genetic and physical study that tw.....»»
Large radio jet discovered in quasar J1601+3102
An international team of astronomers has observed an extremely radio-loud quasar known as J1601+3102. As a result, they found that the quasar hosts a large extended radio jet. The discovery is reported in a research paper published Nov. 25 on the arX.....»»
Tiny dancers: Scientists synchronize bacterial motion
Researchers at TU Delft have discovered that E. coli bacteria can synchronize their movements, creating order in seemingly random biological systems. By trapping individual bacteria in micro-engineered circular cavities and coupling these cavities th.....»»
Hybridization of landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon to rescue a population threatened by inbreeding
The doctoral dissertation of Aslak Eronen, MSc, entitled "Hybridization of landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon: Potential genetic rescue in a population threatened by inbreeding" will be defended at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technolo.....»»
Peat-bog fungi produce substances that kill tuberculosis-causing bacteria
An analysis of fungi collected from peat bogs has identified several species that produce substances toxic to the bacterium that causes the human disease tuberculosis. The findings suggest that one promising direction for development of better treatm.....»»
Wildlife commission lowers European wolf protections
Dozens of countries on Tuesday approved downgrading the protection status of the wolf in Europe, a move activists say will upset the recovery made by the species over the past 10 years after near extinction a century ago......»»
Scientists uncover new mollusk species co-habiting with an anemone in the North Atlantic abyss
A new species of tusk shell, a burrowing marine mollusk, has been discovered in deep, North Atlantic waters by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research. The newly discovered mollusk lives in the aby.....»»
Planetary scientists confirm new main-belt comet
A mysterious object discovered in the main asteroid belt in 2021 was determined to be a main-belt comet by Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Henry Hsieh, Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science and Audrey Thirouin of Lowell.....»»
Climate researchers find North Atlantic Ocean has a memory of nearly two decades
A research team led by the University of Liverpool has found that the North Atlantic Ocean has a memory of approximately one to two decades, significantly surpassing previous estimates of a few years......»»
Plant ecosystems study questions common assumption about biodiversity
Plant species can fulfill different functions within an ecosystem, even if they are closely related to each other. This surprising conclusion was reached by a global analysis of around 1.7 million datasets on plant communities......»»