Predator interactions chiefly determine where Prochlorococcus microbes thrive
Prochlorococcus are the smallest and most abundant photosynthesizing organisms on the planet. A single Prochlorococcus cell is dwarfed by a human red blood cell, yet globally the microbes number in the octillions and are responsible for a large fract.....»»
Trees reveal climate surprise: Microbes living in bark remove methane from the atmosphere
Tree bark surfaces play an important role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere, according to a study published 24 July in Nature......»»
Uncovering the link between meltwater and groundwater in mountain regions
An international group of experts in mountain hydrology argue that the traditional understanding of the mountain water cycle has largely ignored the role that cryosphere-groundwater interactions play. This oversight could lead to incomplete or inaccu.....»»
When searching for light and a mate in the deep, dark sea, male dragonfish grow larger eyes, scientists discover
A small but ferocious predator, the male dragonfish will apparently do anything for love. Or at least to find a mate. A study by researchers at Boston College found that the eyes of the male dragonfish grow larger for mate-seeking purposes, making th.....»»
New rapid method for determining virus infectivity
A new method that can rapidly determine whether a virus is infectious or non-infectious could revolutionize the response to future pandemics......»»
Stepping stones for wildlife: How linking up isolated habitats can help nature thrive in our cities
Imagine you're a fairywren living in a patch of scrub behind a schoolyard in the suburbs. It's been pretty nice so far, but a recent increase in neighborhood cats and the council's insect control tactics mean it's time to look for somewhere safer to.....»»
Seasonal menace: Protecting livestock against external parasites
While rain followed by sunshine produces the eye-catching sight of a rainbow, it can also mark the need for livestock owners to confront the insects and parasites that thrive in the summer season......»»
How mantle hydration changes over the lifetime of a subduction zone
Because of interactions with Earth's hot mantle, water-logged oceanic plates release water as they slide beneath less dense overriding plates in subduction zones. This water rises and hydrates the mantle above it, contributing to the formation of vol.....»»
Rhythmic gene expression in plants is crucial for symbiosis with nutrient-providing bacteria, study finds
Legumes thrive in low-nitrogen environments by partnering with rhizobia, soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, a usable form for the plants. These beneficial bacteria are housed in root nodules formed on legume roots......»»
Concord beginners guide: 5 tips to get started
New shooters, especially hero shooters like Concord, have a steep learning curve. You can learn some things on the fly, but these tips will help you thrive......»»
Microbes found to destroy certain "forever chemicals" by cleaving stubborn fluorine-to-carbon bonds
A UC Riverside environmental engineering team has discovered specific bacterial species that can destroy certain kinds of "forever chemicals," a step further toward low-cost treatments of contaminated drinking water sources......»»
New research identifies ecosystems that could be threatened by declining groundwater levels
Where hidden water tables meet the Earth's surface, life can thrive even in the driest locations. Offering refuge during times of drought, shallow groundwater aquifers act like water savings accounts that can support ecosystems with the moisture requ.....»»
Geophysics research finds microplastic pollution increases sea foam height and stability
From cloud formation to sea temperatures, sea foam plays many roles in the dynamic interactions that occur at the surface level of the world's oceans......»»
"Alien invasion": Researchers identify which exotic animals may soon hitchhike into Australia
Australia is renowned for its native flora and fauna, but did you know the continent is also home to about 3,000 "alien" species of animals, plants, fungi and microbes?.....»»
Ancient microbes offer clues to how complex life evolved
A new study published in Science Advances reveals a surprising twist in the evolutionary history of complex life. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that a single-celled organism, a close relative of animals, harbors the r.....»»
Metabolomic insights into soybean defense strategies against diverse pathogens
Soybean, as a globally critical leguminous crop, faces continuous threats from different pathogens, which profoundly affect global production. Although the genetic interactions between soybean and pathogens have attracted extensive attention and res.....»»
Amid a sweltering summer, a new study finds street trees thrive in NYC
So far this summer, New York City—like much of the country—has clocked more than 11 90-plus degree days. In addition to the increasing frequency of extreme heat waves, if it seems hotter in the city than in other environments, it typically is......»»
Study unveils complexity of zoonotic transmission chains
Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have dissected the complex interactions involved in zoonoses, which annually affect over two billion people worldwide. They introduce the concept of a "zoono.....»»
Much of Neanderthal genetic diversity came from modern humans
Neanderthals' low diversity means their population was even smaller than we thought. Enlarge (credit: Halamka) The basic outline of the interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals is now well established. The two.....»»
Giant salamander species found in what was thought to be an icy ecosystem
Found after its kind were thought extinct, and where it was thought to be too cold. Enlarge (credit: C. Marsicano) Gaiasia jennyae, a newly discovered freshwater apex predator with a body length reaching 4.5 meters, lurk.....»»
Biologists determine the liver is the source of free glycans in the bloodstream
In a rat study, RIKEN biologists have solved the mystery of where glycan molecules in the blood come from, tracking them down to the liver. This finding could lead to new biomarkers for liver-related diseases......»»