Investing in love and affection pays off for species that mate for life
A new study by biologists explains how sexual cooperation and bonding evolves in bird species that form pair bonds.
Read moreZoology
Rotavirus infection may turn on type 1 diabetes
Rotavirus infection may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes, according to a new article.
Read moreSecrets to climate change adaptation uncovered in the European corn borer moth
Biologists have found two genes that may permit some insect species to survive climate change by adjusting their biological annual clocks while others succumb. The researchers looked at the European corn borer moth and pinpointed variation in two circadian clock genes — per and Pdfr — that enable different populations of the moth to adapt their transitions to longer or shorter winters.
Read moreRemoving invasive mice from the Farallon Islands would benefit threatened birds
New research shows the significant negative impact that invasive, non-native house mice on the Farallon Islands are having to the threatened ashy storm-petrel. Original modeling by ecologists shows the potential impacts to the petrel's population if mice are allowed to remain. The super-abundant mice encourage migrating burrowing owls to stay on the island, who later in the winter switch from eating mice to preying on the petrels.
Read moreWorrisome badger behavior inside the cull zone
A new study has found that culling drives badgers to roam 61% further afield — helping to explain why the practice, intended to reduce bovine TB transmission, can sometimes exacerbate the problem instead.
Read moreMeet the 'mold pigs,' a new group of invertebrates from 30 million years ago
Fossils preserved in Dominican amber reveal a new family, genus and species of microinvertebrate from the mid-Tertiary period, a discovery that shows unique lineages of the tiny creatures were living 30 million years ago.
Read moreSweet corn growers, processors could dramatically increase yield, profit
In an industry struggling to maintain profitability, it's curious that U.S. processing sweet corn – the corn that ends up in cans and freezer bags – is falling so far below its potential. Yet, that's what a new study clearly demonstrates.
Read moreAnesthetizing fish may affect research outcomes
Fish use colorful patterns to signal to each other, including advertising for mates and warding off rivals. Studying the relationship between color and behavior sometimes entails anesthetizing and photographing the fish, but anesthetics may alter coloration, influencing the traits researchers are trying to study.
Read moreLife expectancy of captive chimpanzees in Japan
Researchers report on the average life expectancy of chimpanzees in Japan. The average life expectancy of chimpanzees who reach adulthood — reported as 12-years-old in the paper — is 40 years: 41.5 years for males and 39.2 years for females.
Read moreMob mentality rules jackdaw flocks
Jackdaws are more likely to join a mob to drive off predators if lots of their fellow birds are up for the fight, new research shows.
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