Using environmental DNA for to survey the populations of endangered species
Changes in river systems, overfishing and the appearance of new, invasive species can lead to a drastic decline in the number of native fish inhabiting aquatic ecosystems. In the Ashida river basin in Japan, the bitterling fish (Rhodeus atremius suig.....»»
New technique zeros in on the genes that snakes use to produce venom
Only about 10% of the world's roughly 4,000 snake species have venom strong enough to seriously hurt a human, but that's enough for snake bites to be an important public health concern. To help better understand how snakes make their venom and how ve.....»»
Endangered sea corals moved from South Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast for research and restoration
Scientists have moved about 300 endangered sea corals from South Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast for research and restoration......»»
Study identifies possible novel species in fish genus endemic to Neotropics
With 84 species currently described, Characidium may be the most diverse fish genus known to science. This is the conclusion reached by Brazilian scientists after analyzing more than 4,400 specimens of this genus of South American darters endemic to.....»»
Poor indoor air quality isn"t just making us sick. It"s also polluting our cities
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is one of the greatest environmental health challenges that we face today. Various studies have shown that in addition to the lungs, it affects essential organs like the heart and brain,.....»»
Greenhouse gains: Cucumbers genetic upgrade through innovative pollen tech
Genetic modification in horticultural crops, particularly within the Cucurbitaceae family, is often hindered by complex tissue culture requirements and environmental pressures such as climate change. Traditional transformation techniques, like Agroba.....»»
Oh good, a new species of ‘horror wasp’ is invading the US
Oh good, a new species of ‘horror wasp’ is invading the US.....»»
Another new wasp species discovered by researchers
A newly identified wasp species, Chrysonotomyia susbelli, has been discovered in Houston, Texas, marking the 18th new species identified by Rice University's Scott Egan and his research team since 2014. The discovery, the fourth wasp species found on.....»»
Groundwater cleanup boost: Tailoring 3D media for DNAPL contaminant removal
Groundwater contamination by organic pollutants, such as non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), poses significant environmental and health risks. These contaminants, often released from industrial activities, can persist in the subsurface environment, for.....»»
Scientists have found evidence of past extreme solar storms—they could be disastrous for technology-based society
In September 1859, the same year that Darwin published "On the Origin of Species," telegraph systems across Europe and North America stopped working and started sparking, leading to fires in some cases......»»
Small populations of Stone Age people drove dwarf hippos and elephants to extinction on Cyprus
Imagine growing up beside the eastern Mediterranean Sea 14,000 years ago. You're an accomplished sailor of the small watercraft you and your fellow villagers make, and you live off both the sea and the land......»»
"Emergency" declared over falling UK butterfly numbers
Conservationists on Wednesday voiced concern at a fall in the number of butterflies found in the UK, declaring a "butterfly emergency" and calling for greater protections for under-threat species......»»
First liquid-liquid extraction trial finds porous liquids can separate harmful or unwanted alcohols from mixtures
A world-first study has successfully used porous liquids to achieve liquid-liquid separation for the first time, creating exciting potential for advancing both environmental sustainability and public health......»»
Which plant species will survive the global change challenge?
In a temperate montane forest in southern Québec, all is quiet. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll see the landscape has a story to tell. Waterloo plant ecologist Dr. Julie Messier, alongside her collaborators from Sherbrooke, is uncovering vita.....»»
Walking the trees: Researchers trace how First Nations groups moved bunya pine and black bean trees
For millennia, Indigenous knowledge holders have passed down lore to the next generation. Much lore describes the relationships between people and Country, including custodial responsibilities to care for other species as kin......»»
Hybrid Chickadees Reveal How Species Boundaries Can Shift and Blur
When different chickadee species meet, they sometimes choose each other as mates—with surprising results.....»»
PSA: AI-generated voice cloning scams are on the rise – secret code recommended
A survey by a UK bank suggests that AI-generated voice cloning scams are on the rise, with 28% claiming to have been targeted. It’s recommended that people agree a secret code to guard against the possibility of being take in … more….....»»
Public attention on the invasive lionfish helps monitor its ecological impact in real time
A new study from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) has demonstrated that public interest in the lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific, is aiding in monitoring its spread nearly in real time......»»
Students prefer teacher feedback over AI feedback, research finds
Feedback plays a crucial role in learning, helping individuals to understand and improve their performance, yet globally large and diverse student populations often mean that providing timely and personalized observations can be a challenge......»»
Q&A: Authors discuss addressing the crisis of species loss
No oncologist would wait for a patient's cancer to spread before treating it. Similarly, waiting to detect the potential loss of a species across all its known habitats means interventions are often too late to turn the tide of extinction, according.....»»
"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.....»»