Pocket gophers are known for living solitary, underground lives, eating roots in North and Central American grasslands. Now, researchers have found that pocket gophers keep up with the high energy demands of their burrowing lifestyle by 'farming' roots that grow into their tunnels. They calculate that these roots supply 20...
Education system ‘neglecting the importance of plants’
People are becoming 'disconnected from the botanical world' at a time when plants could help solve global environmental problems, warn a group of research scientists. They say the problem has been exacerbated by schools and universities reducing their teaching of basic plant science, including plant identification and ecology. They describe...
A ‘wise counsel’ for synthetic biology
Researchers develop user-friendly software system to optimize biological systems.
Swans sacrifice rest to squabble
Swans give up resting time to fight over the best feeding spots, new research shows.
Universal influenza B vaccine induces broad, sustained protection, biomedical sciences researchers find
A new universal flu vaccine protects against influenza B viruses, offering broad defense against different strains and improved immune protection, according to a new study.
Long term high-fat diet expands waistline and shrinks brain
New research shows that fatty foods may not only be adding to your waistline but may also be aggravating Alzheimer's disease, and causing depression and anxiety.
Scientists discover key genes behind insect migrations
Scientists have identified more than 1,500 genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverflies.
Genetically-enhanced biocontrols can help fight large invasive mammals, study finds
Genome engineering using CRISPR offers novel solutions for controlling invasive alien species, but its efficiency for eradicating harmful vertebrates is yet to be tested. In a new study, researchers confirm that genetic biocontrols could rapidly eradicate animals like rats, mice and rabbits. Others -- like cats and foxes -- would,...
Researchers Rediscover Oak Tree Thought to Be Extinct
Botanical researchers representing a coalition of more than 10 institutions have discovered an oak tree once thought to be extinct, and now in immediate need of conservation within Big Bend National Park in Texas.
Carbon Conservation Efforts Would be Enhanced by Highlighting Threatened Forest Primates
Efforts to conserve the carbon stored in tropical forests would be enhanced by linking the work to the charismatic, threatened primates that live there, Oregon State University ecologists assert today in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.