At a time of unparalleled rates of biodiversity loss, a new interconnected system to monitor biodiversity around the world is needed to guide action quickly enough to target conservation efforts to where they are most needed.
Algae provide clues about 600 million years of plant evolution
The Earth's surface is covered by plants. They make up the majority of biomass on land and exhibit a wide range of diversity, from mosses to trees. This astounding biodiversity came into existence due to a fateful evolutionary event that happened just once: plant terrestrialization. This describes the point where...
New ‘droplet battery’ could pave the way for miniature bio-integrated devices
Researchers have developed a miniature battery that could be used to power tiny devices integrated into human tissues. The design uses an ionic gradient across a chain of droplets -- inspired by how electric eels generate electricity. The device was able to regulate the biological activity of human neurons. This...
Rare 14-ft smalltooth sand tiger shark washes up on Irish coast
Scientists believe a huge 14ft smalltooth sand tiger shark, which washed up at Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford, earlier this year, represents the first of its species to have been found in Ireland's waters. Two other individuals of the same species also washed up on the UK coastline, suggesting this species'...
Antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria get extra nutrients and thrive when the drugs kill 'good' bacteria in the gut.
Want to fight climate change? Don’t poach gorillas (or elephants, hornbills, toucans, etc.)
A new article found that overhunting of gorillas, elephants, and other large fruit-eating seed-dispersers make tropical forests less able to store or sequester carbon.
A lightweight wearable device helps users navigate with a tap on the wrist
Scientists have developed a fabric-based wearable device that 'taps' a user's wrist with pressurized air, silently helping them navigate to their destination. The study demonstrated that users correctly interpreted which direction the device was telling them to go an average of 87% of the time. Since the wearable embeds most...
Yeast studies show that diet in early life matters for lifelong health
Researchers have shown that the content of diet in yeast, rather than caloric intake, influences yeast health in later stages of their lifecycle. The different diet placed cells on a path to age healthily and avoid aging pathologies, though they did not live longer.
Prescription for fruits, vegetables linked to better heart health, food security
Adults at risk for heart disease who participated in produce prescription programs for an average of six months increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and had reduced blood pressure, body mass index and blood sugar levels.
Common origin behind major childhood allergies
Several major childhood allergies may all stem from the community of bacteria living in our gut, according to a new study. The research identifies gut microbiome features and early life influences that are associated with children developing any of four common allergies -- eczema, asthma, food allergy and/or hay fever....