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Categories: Ecology: Endangered Species, Mathematics: Modeling
Published Molecular mechanism behind nutrient element-induced plant disease resistance discovered
(via sciencedaily.com) In one of the few studies to directly investigate the mechanism underlying the effect of essential elements on plant disease resistance, scientists demonstrate that nutrient elements activate immune responses in tomato plants through different defense signaling pathways.
Published Rodent extinctions in Hispaniola may have been caused by humans
(via sciencedaily.com) Hispaniola once had among the highest diversity of rodents in the Caribbean. Today, only one rodent species remains, and its prospects for survival are uncertain. New carbon dates place the blame squarely on humans.
Published New discovery of sunscreen-like chemicals in fossil plants reveals UV radiation played a part in mass extinction events
(via sciencedaily.com) New research has uncovered that pollen preserved in 250 million year old rocks contain compounds that function like sunscreen, these are produced by plants to protect them from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. The findings suggests that a pulse of UV-B played an important part in the end Permian mass extinction event.
Published New approach to epidemic modeling could speed up pandemic simulations
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers are employing sparsification, a method from graph theory and computer science, to identify which links in a network are the most important for the spread of disease.
Published Fewer moths, more flies
(via sciencedaily.com) In the far north of the planet, climate change is clearly noticeable. A new study now shows that in parallel there have been dramatic changes in pollinating insects. Researchers have discovered that the network of plants and their pollinators there has changed considerably since the end of the 19th century. Scientists warn this could lead to plants being pollinated less effectively. This, in turn, would adversely affect their reproduction.
Published Modelling the collective movement of bacteria
(via sciencedaily.com) A new paper presents a mathematical model for the motion of bacteria that includes cell division and death, the basic ingredients of the cell cycle.
Published Ethereal color variant of mysterious plant is actually a new species
(via sciencedaily.com) It was thought that there was only one species of the ghost-like Monotropastrum humile plant found in woodlands across East and Southeast Asia. In a major new discovery, botanists reveal that a rosy pink colored variant is actually a distinct new species, shaking up our understanding of this unusual-looking genus of plants. This 20-year study emphasizes the importance of combining various analytical methods to fully understand and protect biodiversity.
Published Plants between light and darkness
(via sciencedaily.com) How plants optimize photosynthesis under changing light conditions.
Published Massive 'marimo' algae balls at risk from deadly winter sunburn
(via sciencedaily.com) Climate change could overexpose rare underwater 'marimo' algae balls to sunlight, killing them off according to a new study. Marimo are living fluffy balls of green algae. The world's largest marimo can be found in Lake Akan in Hokkaido, Japan's northern main island. Here they are sheltered from too much winter sunlight by a thick layer of ice and snow, but the ice is thinning due to global warming. Researchers found that the algae could survive bright light for up to four hours and would recover if then placed under a moderate light for 30 minutes. However, the algae died when exposed to bright light for six hours or more. The team hopes this discovery will highlight the threat of climate change to this endangered species and the urgent need to protect their habitat.
Published Polarity proteins shape efficient 'breathing' pores in grasses
(via sciencedaily.com) A research group is studying how plants 'breathe'. They have gained new insights into how grasses develop efficient 'breathing pores' on their leaves. If important landmark components in this development process are missing, the gas exchange between plant and atmosphere is impaired. The findings are also important regarding climate change.
Published Current Antarctic conservation efforts are insufficient to avoid biodiversity declines, study shows
(via sciencedaily.com) Existing conservation efforts are insufficient to protect Antarctic ecosystems, and population declines are likely for 65% of the continent's plants and wildlife by the year 2100, according to a new study.
Published Is there a link between climate change and plant nutrition?
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study underscores that we still have much to learn regarding how plants will function -- and how nutritious they will be -- as more carbon enters our atmosphere. That same influx of carbon is helping drive climate change, meaning this new work may be revealing an unexpected way this global phenomenon is reshaping nature and our lives.
Published Characters' actions in movie scripts reflect gender stereotypes
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed a novel machine-learning framework that uses scene descriptions in movie scripts to automatically recognize different characters' actions. Applying the framework to hundreds of movie scripts showed that these actions tend to reflect widespread gender stereotypes, some of which are found to be consistent across time.
Published Decoding the secret language of photosynthesis
(via sciencedaily.com) For decades, scientists have been stumped by the signals plants send themselves to initiate photosynthesis, the process of turning sunlight into sugars. Researchers have now decoded those previously opaque signals.
Published Should we tax robots?
(via sciencedaily.com) A small tax on robots, as well as on trade generally, will help reduce income inequality in the U.S., according to economists.
Published Human activities degrade hippopotamus homes at Bui National Park, Ghana, researchers find
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers found that the number of common hippopotamus in the Bui National Park declined by about 70 percent following the construction of a hydroelectric dam in the reserve. From 209 individuals before the dam construction, the number declined to 64. Land cover changes led to severe reduction in forest cover and destruction of riparian areas through flooding. In addition, poaching activities increased during and after the construction period.
Published Early forests did not significantly change the atmospheric CO2
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have discovered that the atmosphere contained far less CO2 than previously thought when forests emerged on our planet, the new study has important implications for understanding how land plants affect the climate.
Published Study shows how machine learning could predict rare disastrous events, like earthquakes or pandemics
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers suggest how scientists can circumvent the need for massive data sets to forecast extreme events with the combination of an advanced machine learning system and sequential sampling techniques.
Published Mapping the middle ground: Balancing mining activities with survival of Utah's rare plants
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team is mapping out new modeling strategies so that proposed energy development and the management of rare plants don't necessarily have to be mutually exclusive endeavors.
Published Artificial Intelligence searches an early sign of osteoarthritis from an x-ray image
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed an AI based neural network to detect an early knee osteoarthritis from x-ray images. AI was able to match a doctors' diagnosis in 87% of cases. The result is important because x-rays are the primary diagnostic method for early knee osteoarthritis. An early diagnosis can save the patient from unnecessary examinations, treatments and even knee joint replacement surgery.