New genetic insights provide hope for the vaquita porpoise
Vaquita porpoises have long been considered one of the most endangered species in the world. They are small sea mammals
Read more
“Zombie deer disease” spreads through deer, humans could be next
Chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease in deer, elk, and moose, has reached 27 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Experts worry that the disease could make the leap to humans.
Read more
The colorful world of coral
A diversity of coral reef color leads to a diversity in fish color, and by extension, a diversity of fish species. With temperatures rising, the loss of colorful coral may lead to a loss of fish and an ocean in grayscale.
Read more
Turn the Lights Off: How Light Pollution Affects Fledgling Seabirds
Many animals, including fledgling seabirds, navigate using the moon or stars. How do increasing levels of artificial light pollution affect their ability to find their way?
Read more
Shark Movements Can Be Used to Design Better Marine Protected Areas
Marine protected areas can be very effective at protecting marine life, and they’re even more effective when the actual movements of wildlife are used to guide the drawing of their borders. By using telemetry, scientists can make shark-friendly protected areas and watch how effective they are at reducing commercial fishing.
Read more
Cyanobacteria: Can they Survive and Thrive in the Presence of Glyphosate?
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microbes that produce a variety of ecosystem services. They can not only tolerate, but grow prolifically in the presence of toxic compounds, such as glyphosate.
Read more
Rising Sea Levels Call for Rising Wetlands
Amid the search for protection against rising sea levels, many have turned to remediating or reconstructing traditional wetland ecosystems.
Read more
Disease Vectors and Pests: How Genetically Modified Insects Could Affect the World
Genetic modification is a reality, now more than ever. Yearly, there are more than 2.8 million deaths due to diseases spread by insects. So, what if we genetically modified insects so they don’t pose such a big threat towards human and agricultural health? And what would the long-term outcome be of such modifications? Will the mutations spread uncontrollably through wild populations? Well, that is for us to see and scientists to consider.
Read more
Is your garden bee-friendly? – City gardens promote bee parasites
Parasites are threatening pollinator populations worldwide, raising concerns for the future of our food security. How we manage our gardens in cities could impact parasite transmission among pollinators, especially bees. Researchers found that bee parasites decrease when we plant plenty of flowers to promote diverse pollinators. We also reduce parasites when we refrain from mulching our gardens, as mulch covers nests for ground-nesting bees. As spring approaches, will your garden be friendlier to bees or their parasites?
Read more
Meet the caecilian, the mysterious amphibian that skins its mother alive
Caecilians are amphibians, like frogs and salamanders. They look like a mix between an earthworm and a snake. And they let their children tear off their skin and eat it.
Read more