Members of the arachnid class—think spiders, scorpions and harvestmen (daddy long legs)—are often the targets of revulsion, disgust and fear. Yet, they are crucial for ecosystems to thrive. Given the crash in worldwide biodiversity, including…
Category: 5. Biology
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Scared of spiders? The real horror story is a world without them
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Computer run on human brain cells learned to play ‘Doom’
A biocomputer powered by lab-grown human brain cells has leveled up from Pong…
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Biodiversity at risk in Colombia's tropical dry forests
A study of changes to the habitats of more than 700 species reveals massive biodiversity loss—but also possibilities for restoration. “There is a lot of talk about deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Amazon, but even here in Colombia…
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Eye-tracking study explores fear of spiders
Whether it’s a sudden dash across the garage or silhouette in a backyard web, spiders evoke fear in many people. But researchers don’t have a clear picture of why, exactly, this phobia is so common. An interdisciplinary team at the University of…
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'Plug-and-play'—how plants steal genetic shortcuts to survive
Plants are fast-tracking their own evolution by “plugging in” genetic code stolen from their neighbors, according to new research that reveals the secret to their own successful genetic engineering. The study, led by Catherine Collins, Dr. Luke…
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Bird flu rampant among black vultures: Study points to year-round H5N1 circulation
More than four out of every five dead black vultures examined by University of Georgia researchers tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports. The actual toll of the virus on…
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Study shows 20-year decline in nitrate pollution across portions of the Mississippi River Basin
A new accounting of nitrogen pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) reveals a significant decline in recent decades, suggesting positive momentum for water quality goals in local watersheds and the Gulf of Mexico….
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Study suggests fire ant baiting in Queensland may help invaders spread faster
A provocative new international study published in Austral Ecology warns the massive “broadcast baiting” campaign currently used to combat Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) in south-east Queensland may be doing more harm than good.
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The Surprising Reason Female Caribou Grow Antlers
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A hefty rack of antlers is a status symbol we expect from a mature male deer or…
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Paleontologists investigate how life entered and adapted to the deep sea
The deep sea is a dark, cold place. It’s just a few degrees above freezing, subject to immense pressure, and beyond the reach of the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. The life that does survive in such a hostile place must find a different way…
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