Potent trivalent inhibitors of thrombin from anticoagulation peptides in insect saliva
Thrombosis, the clogging of blood vessels, is a major cause of heart attacks and embolism. Scientists have now engineered the first inhibitors of thrombin, a protease promoting thrombosis, that is three-fold efficient. In a study published in the jou.....»»
How lab-made catalysts can help convert difficult greenhouse gases
Natural gas consists of light hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane. Such gases are more potent greenhouse gases than CO2, are constantly released into the atmosphere from natural gas wells, and are more difficult to store than, for example, their.....»»
Warmer, wetter winters bring risks to river insects
Research by Cardiff University has shown that the warmer, wetter winters in the U.K. caused by climate change are likely to impact the stability of insect populations in streams......»»
Okinawa"s ants show reduced seasonal behavior in areas with more human development
Insects have an important role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, but our understanding of how human activities affect their populations is limited. This gap in knowledge is worrying because of the decline of insect populations and the severe c.....»»
How mosquito-controlling bacteria might also enhance insect fertility
A new study reveals biological mechanisms by which a specific strain of bacteria in the Wolbachia genus might enhance the fertility of the insects it infects—with potentially important implications for mosquito-control strategies. Shelbi Russell of.....»»
To find out how wildlife is doing, scientists try listening
A reedy pipe and a high-pitched trill duet against the backdrop of a low-pitched insect drone. Their symphony is the sound of a forest, and is monitored by scientists to gauge biodiversity......»»
Insect researcher: Non-destructive methods are needed
New research has shed light on the importance of revolutionizing methods in entomology. A publication titled "The need for a (non-destructive) method revolution in entomology" has highlighted how to improve our understanding of insects without harmin.....»»
Real-time visualization of plant-plant communications through airborne volatiles
Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere upon mechanical damages or insect attacks. Undamaged neighboring plants sense the released VOCs as danger cues to activate defense responses against upcoming threats. This phenomenon o.....»»
Scientists combine evolution, physics, and robotics to decode insect flight
Some insects' wings flap without brain input. Robots help us understand how. Enlarge / A hawk moth in flight. (credit: Gregory Dubus) Different insects flap their wings in different manners. Understanding the variations.....»»
Unearthing the leaf miners of ancient times: 312-million-year-old fossil sheds light on insect behavior and evolution
Insects are fragile, soft-bodied animals whose remains are difficult to preserve. Wings are often fossilized, but insect bodies, if present, are usually bits and pieces of the original prehistoric animal, making it difficult for scientists to study t.....»»
Research reveals how a single enzyme can boost soybean oil production
As a potent source of protein and oil, soybeans are a vital global crop for food, animal feed, industrial applications, and biofuel production. Even minor improvements in soybean seed content can therefore have far-reaching implications for agricultu.....»»
How Insect Brains Melt and Rewire During Metamorphosis
Do fruit flies remember their larval lives? To find out, scientists made the neurons inside larvae glow, then tracked how they reshuffled as they formed adult brains......»»
Spotted lanternfly has spread to Illinois, threatening trees and crops
Illinois is the latest state to find invasive spotted lanternflies, an winged insect that's spreading across the eastern U.S. and is subject to squish-on-sight requests in New York and elsewhere......»»
Cocoon review: mesmerizing indie will put you inside of a bug’s brain
Cocoon is unlike anything you've played before, turning the insect world into a mesmerizing puzzle adventure......»»
Double trouble: Infamous "eagle killer" bacterium produces not one, but two toxins
The cyanobacterium Aetokthonos hydrillicola produces not just one, but two highly potent toxins. In the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), an international team led by Martin Luther University Halle-Wi.....»»
New insect genus discovered in one of the most biodiverse rain forest regions in the world
The Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve in Peru has often been described as the most biodiverse rainforest in the world. For example, in recent decades, scientist have discovered several new bird species from the region. Researchers at the University.....»»
3 iOS 0-days, a cellular network compromise, and HTTP used to infect an iPhone
Apple patches 3 zero-days after they were used in a sophisticated attack. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Apple has patched a potent chain of iOS zero-days that were used to infect the iPhone of an Egyptian presidential c.....»»
High-energy-density chemical fuel powers bug-sized robots to leap, lift and race
Cornell researchers combined soft microactuators with high-energy-density chemical fuel to create an insect-scale quadrupedal robot that is powered by combustion and can outrace, outlift, outflex and outleap its electric-driven competitors......»»
Methane emissions in LA are decreasing more slowly than previously estimated
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, 80 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In 2014, a California law required statewide methane emissions to be cut by 40% by 2030 from 2013 levels. Currently, the local natural gas utili.....»»
Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought
In 2012, when the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in the U.S. from its home in China, scientists, land managers, and growers were understandably concerned that the sap-feeding insect would damage native and commercial trees. New long-.....»»
It"s a bird! No, it"s a ... moth? Heavy rainfall spurs unique insect sightings in Bay Area
A Marin County park ranger was visiting her in-laws two weeks ago when she spotted a baby hummingbird hovering over a thistle in their backyard—or so she thought......»»