The origins of farming insects
A beetle bores a tree trunk to build a gallery in the wood in order to protect its lay. As it digs the tunnel, it spreads ambrosia fungal spores that will feed the larvae. When these bore another tree, the adult beetles will be the transmission vecto.....»»
Imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects mainly shaped by adaptive processes rather than constraints, finds study
Two natural scientists at Macquarie University, working with an evolutionary specialist at the University of New South Wales, all in Australia, have found that imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects is likely mainly shaped by adaptive processes rat.....»»
Pesticides to help protect seeds can adversely affect earthworms" health
While pesticides protect crops from hungry animals, pesky insects, or even microbial infections, they also impact other vital organisms, including bees and earthworms. Now, research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that.....»»
Farming Prioritizes Cows and Cars—Not People
Farmers and scientists are getting better at growing more crops on less land, but they’re not focusing on plants that people eat......»»
Roads, farming threaten Ecuador "lost city" complex
Shielded by the jungle for hundreds of years, the remains of a massive 2,500-year-old network of Ecuadoran cities are being threatened by road and farm encroachment just as its long-held secrets are being revealed, researchers say......»»
Genetic analysis and archaeological insight combine to reveal the ancient origins of the fallow deer
Modern populations of fallow deer possess hidden cultural histories dating back to the Roman Empire, which should be factored into decisions around their management and conservation......»»
Study could lead to improved mussel production
New research by the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture could help improve mussel farming practices and lead to increased production......»»
Permaculture showed us how to farm the land more gently. Can we do the same as we farm the sea?
As wild fish and other marine species get scarcer from overfishing and demand for 'blue foods' grows around the world, farming of the ocean is growing rapidly. Fish, kelp, prawns, oysters and more are now widely farmed. The world now eats more farmed.....»»
Professor explains what the UK/Canada trade disagreement means for UK farmers
With talks between the UK and Canada breaking down over the trade of agriculture products such as beef and cheese, what does it mean for the farming industry and domestic trading in the UK?.....»»
How air pollution harms pollination
Pollination, the transfer of pollen grains from the male to the female organs, is an essential part of reproduction for the majority of plants. For many of these plants, this transfer is carried out by insects in search of food—this is known as ins.....»»
Synthetic human embryos let researchers study early development while sidestepping ethical and logistical hurdles
Embryonic development, also known as embryogenesis, is a cornerstone in understanding the origins of life. But studying this marvel of intricate and layered biological processes in people faces considerable challenges. Early-stage human embryos are d.....»»
If plants can pick fungi to help fight pests and diseases, it opens a door to greener farming and ecosystem recovery
Just beneath your feet, an ancient and silent alliance endures. This alliance between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is one of the oldest biological partnerships on Earth......»»
Study challenges classical view of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current origin and warns of its vulnerability
The Circumpolar Current works as a regulator of the planet's climate. Its origins were thought to have caused the formation of the permanent ice in Antarctica about 34 million years ago. Now, a study led by the University of Barcelona, the Instituto.....»»
EU walks farming minefield with new climate goals
The EU's climate goals for 2040 are set to further dial up the pressure on a farm sector that has yet to get tough on greenhouse gas emissions—but is already up in arms over existing environmental rules......»»
The surprising reason insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky
It's an observation as old as humans gathering around campfires: Light at night can draw an erratically circling crowd of insects. In art, music and literature, this spectacle is an enduring metaphor for dangerous but irresistible attractions. And wa.....»»
Silent fields: A cocktail of pesticides is stunting bumblebee colonies across Europe
The European Parliament voted against a proposal to curb the use of agricultural pesticides in November 2023. These chemicals, designed to protect crop yield from pest insects and other organisms, can contaminate the water and air and threaten the pe.....»»
Pituitary gland"s embryonic origins may lead to new insights on growth hormone deficiency
An unexpected observation has led researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science to challenge a 200-year-old doctrine regarding the embryonic origins of the pituitary gland......»»
Tracing the evolution of sign languages using computer modeling
An international team of linguistics experts has traced the origins of the most common modern sign languages using a computer model to compare them against one another. The research is published in the journal Science......»»
New study reveals transformative power of aquaculture in Zambia
A new study led by the University of Stirling has revealed for the first time substantial benefits from adopting smallholder aquaculture for Zambian farmers. The research provides compelling evidence of how fish farming diversifies livelihoods and im.....»»
Fiber Optics Bring You Internet. Now They’re Also Listening to Trains
“Distributed acoustic sensing” looks for disturbances in fiber to detect earthquakes and even insects. Can it also improve rail safety?.....»»
Europe forges new bonds between agriculture and biodiversity
As the environmental and economic costs of industrial farming grow, so do opportunities to spur an ecological change......»»