Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

To protect corals from summer heatwaves, we should help their microbial symbionts evolve heat tolerance in the lab      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Most coral reef restoration efforts involve restocking reefs with nursery-grown corals. However, if these corals are of the same stock as their wild counterparts, they will be equally vulnerable to the heat stress that caused the bleaching event in the first place. Researchers discuss the potential of improving corals' chances by inducing the evolution of heat tolerance in their symbionts -- the mutualistic microbes that provide corals with nutrients in exchange for shelter and that are expelled during coral bleaching.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Researchers find genetic stability in a long-term Panamanian hybrid zone of manakin birds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

We often think of species as separate and distinct, but sometimes they can interbreed and create hybrids. When this happens consistently in a specific area, it forms what's known as a hybrid zone. These zones can be highly dynamic or remarkably stable, and studying them can reveal key insights into how species boundaries evolve -- or sometimes blur. Researchers now describe a hybrid zone between two manakin species in Panama that has overall remained relatively stable over the past 30 years.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees
Published

New tomato, potato family tree shows that fruit color and size evolved together      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new family tree of the plant genus Solanum helps explain the striking diversity of their fruit color and size. This genus includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and other economically important plants.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Prying open the AI black box      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Meet SQUID, a new computational tool. Compared with other genomic AI models, SQUID is more consistent, reduces background noise, and can yield better predictions regarding critical mutations. The new system aims to bring scientists closer to their findings' true medical implications.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals
Published

Wild yeasts from Patagonia could yield new flavors of lagers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New strains of yeast for brewing lager beers, created by hybridizing wild strains of yeast from Patagonia with brewer's yeast, can yield novel flavors and aromas, researchers report.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction
Published

Insecticides contributed to loss of butterflies across American Midwest, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Insecticide use is a major factor causing a decrease in the size and diversity of butterfly populations across the US Midwest, according to a new study.

Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Non-native plants and animals expanding ranges 100 times faster than native species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of scientists has recently found that non-native species are expanding their ranges many orders of magnitude faster than native ones, in large part due to inadvertent human help. Even seemingly sedentary non-native plants are moving at three times the speed of their native counterparts in a race where, because of the rapid pace of climate change and its effect on habitat, speed matters. To survive, plants and animals need to be shifting their ranges by 3.25 kilometers per year just to keep up with the increasing temperatures and associated climactic shifts -- a speed that native species cannot manage without human help.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Fishy parenting? Punishing offspring encourages cooperation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists discovered that Neolamprologus savoryi fish use punishment to encourage offspring to cooperate in brood care, revealing advanced cognitive abilities previously thought unique to higher vertebrates. This study highlights that punishment for promoting cooperation exists beyond human societies, prompting a reevaluation of animal intelligence.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Restored rat-free islands could support hundreds of thousands more breeding seabirds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Archipelago case-study shows that removing invasive rats and restoring native vegetation could help bring back hundreds of thousands of breeding pairs of seabirds lost to tropical islands. Calculating that there are enough fish to sustain restored seabird populations should be an important consideration for restoration projects, scientists say. Restored seabird populations also provide huge boost to the health of surrounding coral reef ecosystems through restored nutrient cycles.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature
Published

'Lost' birds list will aid in protecting species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A group of scientists has released the first comprehensive list of birds that haven't been documented with sound or video in more than a decade.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are rethinking the evolution of vocal learning in birds. New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman or titipounamu, may have a rudimentary version of the talent possessed by parrots, hummingbirds and songbirds.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species
Published

The scary, yet promising world of phages, the pathogen's pathogen      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers are unlocking the mystery of how bacteria harness viruses to wipe out the competition. The answers could help spur the development of alternatives to antibiotics.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Environmental: General
Published

Outdoor recreation noise affects wildlife behavior and habitat use, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

We may go to the woods seeking peace and quiet, but are we taking our noise with us? A recent study indicates that the answer is yes -- and that this noise can trigger a fear response, as if escaping from predators. This new science calls into question whether otherwise high-quality habitat truly provides refugia for wildlife when recreationists are present and underscores the challenges land managers face in balancing outdoor recreational opportunities with wildlife conservation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Humans are the elephant in the room where conservation is debated      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Studies working to map conservation historically have left humans out of the equation. This study proposes ways to build in the outsized footprint created by people in wild places.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Female AI 'teammate' generates more participation from women      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An artificial intelligence-powered virtual teammate with a female voice boosts participation and productivity among women on teams dominated by men, according to new research.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Specialist and migratory birds at greater risk under climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Following decades of decline, even fewer birds will darken North American skies by the end of the century, according to a new analysis. The study examines the long-term effects of climate change on the abundance and diversity of bird groups across the continent as a whole while accounting for additional factors that put birds at risk.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Virtual reality as a reliable shooting performance-tracking tool      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Virtual reality technology can do more than teach weaponry skills in law enforcement and military personnel, a new study suggests: It can accurately record shooting performance and reliably track individuals' progress over time.