Orchid without pollinating bumblebee on island finds wasp, blurring orchid species boundary
Because the bumblebee that an orchid relies on for pollination does not exist on a remote island, the plant gets pollinated by an island wasp. Kobe University researchers found that this came at the cost of being hybridized with another orchid specie.....»»
Slow-moving landslides a growing, but ignored, threat to mountain communities
As urban centers in mountainous regions grow, more people are driven to build on steeper slopes prone to slow-moving landslides, a new study finds. Slow-moving landslides are frequently excluded from estimates of landslide risk, but they could threat.....»»
"Scuba-diving" lizards use bubble to breathe underwater and avoid predators
Presenting the world's smallest (and scrappiest) scuba diver: A species of semi-aquatic lizard produces a special bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater and avoid predators, according to new research from Binghamton University, State Universi.....»»
Unraveling an ancient European extinction mystery: Disappearance of dwarf megafauna on paleolithic Cyprus
Scientists have unraveled a mystery about the disappearance of dwarf hippos and elephants that once roamed the picturesque landscape on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus before paleolithic humans arrived......»»
Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees
Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard......»»
Antarctic krill can lock away similar levels of carbon as seagrass and mangroves, finds study
Small marine crustaceans are as valuable as key coastal habitats for storing carbon and should be similarly protected, according to new research......»»
Urban sustainable development needs to secure basic human needs, finds study
Urban sustainable development (USD) plans and policies cover a wide range of issues, such as biodiversity protection, transportation, or poverty reduction. Yet, it is unclear what the USD policy preferences of residents are......»»
Analysis finds mobile phone distractions adversely affect learning in young adults
A new analysis by University at Albany researchers in the School of Education has found that young adults exposed to mobile technology distractions had worse learning outcomes in the classroom compared to those without distractions......»»
The power of one: Study finds solitary carnivores outkill group hunters
Earth's majestic "apex predators" are some of the most prolific hunters in the world. But which ones kill the most?.....»»
National political dialogue focuses on power and morals, finds study
A study of political speeches, social media posts from politicians, and Reddit discussions among everyday users finds a higher prevalence of abstract, moralized, and power-centric language in national versus local politics. Political dialogue and deb.....»»
Hubble finds more black holes than expected in the early universe
With the help of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, an international team of researchers led by scientists in the Department of Astronomy at Stockholm University has found more black holes in the early universe than has previously been reported. The new.....»»
Rare woolly rhino mummies emerge from the permafrost
The new finds confirm the existence of a feature seen in cave art. Enlarge / Portion of a reproduction of cave paintings in France, showing rhinos (among other species). (credit: JEFF PACHOUD) For most people, an extinct.....»»
Driver assists become de facto autopilots as drivers multitask, study finds
As drivers become familiar with the systems, they exploit them. Enlarge / Lane keeping systems let you take your hands off the wheel while you drive. (credit: Getty Images) The seductive lure of cars that drive themselv.....»»
Possum shrimp use their cave"s special smell to trace their way home, study finds
Homing is an animal's ability to navigate towards an original location, such as a breeding spot or foraging territory. Salmon and racing pigeons are famous for homing, but similar behaviors occur in groups as diverse as bees, frogs, rats, and sea tur.....»»
Earth"s greatest mass extinction 250 million years ago shows what happens when El Niño gets out of control
Around 252 million years ago, the world suddenly heated up. Over a geologically brief period of tens of thousands of years, 90% of species were wiped out. Even insects, which are rarely touched by such events, suffered catastrophic losses. The Permia.....»»
Study finds mine-drainage treatment cost effective, but far more costs lay ahead
New research led by the University of Pittsburgh shows that state and federal appropriations allowing Pennsylvania to treat abandoned mine drainage works to both successfully and cost effectively clean up the acidic water—particularly to the benefi.....»»
Urgent conservation efforts needed: Possible extirpation of the threatened Malagasy poison frog Mantella cowanii
New research highlights the precarious status of one of Madagascar's most threatened amphibians, the harlequin mantella (Mantella cowanii), revealing small population sizes and the possible extirpation of the species from several of its historic habi.....»»
Paleontologists find omnivorous ancestor of the giant panda, revealing it was not always just a bamboo eater
The Hammerschmiede fossil site in southern Germany has yielded finds from about 11.5 million years ago that have rewritten evolutionary history. The sole species of bear discovered to date at the site was a relative of the giant panda. Its diet, howe.....»»
New "grumpy" fish species discovered in the Red Sea
A team of researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington has discovered a new species of fish that seems perpetually displeased. The researchers decided to call this new species the grumpy dwarf.....»»
Environment takes center stage as global summits loom
Global warming. Disappearing plant and animal species. Fertile land turning to desert. Plastic in the oceans, on land, and the air we breathe......»»
"Ecocide" on Easter Island never took place, studies suggest
Two recent studies have cast doubt on a popular theory that the ancient residents of Easter Island suffered a societal collapse because they overexploited their natural resources, an event often labeled one of history's first "ecocides"......»»