Genes are not the only drivers of evolution. The iconic fins of skates are caused by changes in the non-coding genome and its three-dimensional structure, an international research team reports.
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Humans need Earth-like ecosystem for deep-space living
Can humans endure long-term living in deep space? The answer is a lukewarm maybe, according to a new theory describing the complexity of maintaining gravity and oxygen, obtaining water, developing agriculture and handling waste far from Earth.
Is This the Future of Farming?
New computer science study offers a radical new way to think about agriculture and its potential benefits for farming.
WISA’s Electric Plane Is Making Flying More Sustainable
On the slender wings of the tiny Pipistrel Velis Electro ride some of the greatest the hopes of the aviation industry — and the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA).
Freight Train of Atmospheric Rivers Brought Record Rain, Snow in March
March was a turbulent month weather-wise across the United States, as a series of western storms brought record amounts of precipitation and tornadoes ripped through parts of the South and the nation’s midsection.
Lightning strike creates phosphorus material
A lightning strike in New Port Richey, Florida, led to a chemical reaction creating a new material that is transitional between space minerals and minerals found on Earth. High-energy events, such as lightning, can cause unique chemical reactions. In this instance, the result is a new material -- one that...
Scientists Uncover the Amazing Way Sandgrouse Hold Water in Their Feathers
Many birds’ feathers are remarkably efficient at shedding water — so much so that “like water off a duck’s back” is a common expression.
Perfume component helps lure male moth pests
A small amount of a perfume component -- nonanal -- added to a traditional blend of sex pheromones captures the attention of male fall armyworm moths looking for a good time.
Trees in areas prone to hurricanes have strong ability to survive even after severe damage
The island of Dominica took a direct hit from Category 5 Hurricane Maria. Nine months afterward, researchers found that while 89% percent of trees located in nine previously documented forest stands were damaged, but only 10 percent had immediately died. The most common damage was stem snapping and major branch...
Temperature is stronger than light and flow as driver of oxygen in US rivers
The amount of dissolved oxygen in a river is a matter of life or death for the plants and animals living within it, but this oxygen concentration varies drastically from one river to another, depending on their unique temperature, light and flow. To better understand which factor has the greatest...