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Practicing reciprocity between humans and nature—namely caring relationships between people and nature when they perceive benefits from nature—can contribute positively to both the planet and societies. This is the main conclusion of a comprehensive…

Flowers grow stems, leaves and petals in a perfect pattern again and again. A new Cornell study shows that even in this precise, patterned formation in plants, gene activity inside individual cells is far more chaotic than it appears from the outside.

Planting flower strips in a field with at least two species can increase the number of natural enemies of pests by 70%. The more flower species, the better the effect, according to a new meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen.

Alongside climate change, biodiversity loss caused by human activity is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. A study conducted at the Research Center for Ecological Change, University of Helsinki investigated how the diversity of natural…

As legally required by the European Union, sustainable fisheries may not extract more fish than can regrow each year. Yet about 70% of commercially targeted fish stocks in northern EU waters are either overfished, have shrunken population sizes or have…

Imagine looking at thousands of scattered puzzle pieces and trying to guess what picture they create. Without any reference point, it's nearly impossible.

DNA is the genetic code that provides the biological instructions for every living species, but not every bit of DNA helps the species survive. Some pieces of DNA are more like parasites, along for the ride and their own survival.

A Heriot-Watt scientist has worked with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute to develop a method to detect a deadly oyster parasite without harming the shellfish.

An asteroid strike 66 million years ago caused millions of species to go extinct—including many mollusks. By studying the impacts of this ancient event, scientists hope to ensure that mussels, scallops and their bivalve relatives will survive the threats…

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and UCL have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and how it gained and lost genes in…

Proteins catalyze life by changing shape when they interact with other molecules. The result is a muscle twitching, the perception of light, or a bit of energy extracted from food. But this crucial ability has eluded the growing field of AI-augmented protein…

As the ocean warms across its temperate regions, kelp forests are collapsing and turf algae species are taking over. This shift from dense canopies of tall kelp to low-lying mats of turf algae is driving biodiversity loss and altering the flow of energy and…

A new study from the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet presents a promising method for identifying endocrine-disrupting chemicals—without the need for traditional animal testing. By combining RNA-sequencing of zebrafish embryos…

A recent publication by University of Guam Marine Laboratory scientists, "Restoration innovation: Fusing microbial memories to engineer coral resilience," suggests a novel framework that pairs fundamental biology with applied biology to innovate in restoration…

The axolotl is renowned for its extensive ability to regenerate organs and body parts, including its spinal cord. Studies on spinal cord regeneration, however, have focused on axolotl cells next to an injury site, leaving the brain's role in regeneration a…

Research teams have created a versatile set of gene delivery systems that can reach different neural cell types in the human brain and spinal cord with exceptional accuracy. These delivery systems are a significant step toward future precise gene therapy for…

Corals are the architects of reefs throughout tropical seas, providing protection and sustenance for the species that depend on them. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storm surge, put tourist dollars in coffers, and provide cultural richness in the way of…

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) may have an "on-off switch" that lets them pause and restart growth, according to a new study from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford. The research helps explain why TB is so hard to treat with…

For over 60 years, scientists have tried to determine whether plants are pollinated primarily during the day or at night—without reaching a clear conclusion. Now, a major research review from Lund University in Sweden has revealed that nighttime pollinators…

Washington State University scientists are using microwave technology to extend the shelf life of hummus while eliminating the need for chemical preservatives, as demonstrated in a Journal of Food Process Engineering paper.