Nature
Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’
Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’ Researchers have cracked the mystery of how plants “do the twist” by growing twisted organs, such as roots that skew hard right or left to avoid obstacles. The team found that a change in gene expression in the plant epidermis, rather than a full null mutation, […]
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Fossils offer clues to animal life millions of years ago
Fossils offer clues to animal life millions of years ago Fossilized bones from animals that lived 1.3 to 3 million years ago have been analyzed for metabolism-related molecules, revealing insights into their health, diets, and environments. The study found warmer and wetter conditions across these environments compared to today, with many metabolites pointing to genes […]
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With wolves absent from most of eastern North America, can coyotes replace them?
With wolves absent from most of eastern North America, can coyotes replace them? Coyotes have expanded their range across eastern North America, potentially filling the ecological role left by wolves that were extirpated from the region. Research found that coyotes and wolves have different diets, with wolves eating more medium-sized herbivores like beavers and nutria, […]
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New species are being discovered faster than ever before
New species are being discovered faster than ever before New species are being discovered at an unprecedented rate, with over 16,000 new species identified each year, according to a recent study. The study analyzed taxonomic histories of roughly 2 million species and found that scientists are discovering species quicker than ever before, contradicting the idea […]
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Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater
Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater R researchers have identified key cell traits that help plants survive in saltwater, which could lead to creating salt-tolerant crops. The study focused on mangrove trees, which have evolved to thrive in salty environments and found that they have unusually small cells and thicker cell walls. These […]
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How ‘badass’ microbes move in after volcanoes erupt
How ‘badass’ microbes move in after volcanoes erupt New research explores how microbes colonize new habitats after catastrophic events like volcanic eruptions. A team of ecologists and planetary scientists from the University of Arizona conducted field research in Iceland following a series of eruptions of the Fagradalsfjall volcano, collecting samples from lava flows, rainwater, aerosols, […]
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Study flips ideas about forest soils and climate change
Study flips ideas about forest soils and climate change A new study challenges long-held assumptions about forest soils and climate change, finding that warming may actually reduce nitrogen emissions in dry forests. The six-year research project, conducted in a temperate Chinese forest, found that nitric oxide emissions dropped by 19% and nitrous oxide emissions fell […]
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Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors
Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors Scientists have discovered that songbirds can swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors, challenging the traditional view of evolution as a linear process. The study, led by evolutionary biologist David Toews, analyzed the genomes of over 2 trillion base […]
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These hummingbirds’ bills evolved for fighting
These hummingbirds’ bills evolved for fighting Male green hermit hummingbirds have evolved straighter, sharper, and structurally stronger bills for fighting, which has shaped their species’ evolution. Their bills are designed to be effective weapons, allowing them to defend their perches and compete for mates in a “singles bar” setting where they gather to find partners. […]
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Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms
Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms Ferns can teach us about evolution by examining their inner anatomy, particularly their stems and roots. The arrangement of vascular bundles in fern stems varies substantially, but recent research suggests that this variation is linked to the number and […]
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