Posts Tagged ‘insects’
Earth & Environment - Jul 12, 2012 14:42 - 1 Comment
To eat invasive shrub, beetles evolve quickly
UC SANTA BARBARA (US) — The fight against an invasive plant is getting a boost from rapidly evolving beetles whose life cycle has changed to eat the weed more efficiently. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jul 11, 2012 15:25 - 0 Comments
When under attack, caterpillars bulk up
PURDUE / CORNELL (US) — Unlike most animals that stop growing when faced with a predator, hornworm caterpillars actually develop faster, even though they slow or completely stop munching on a meal. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jul 9, 2012 16:50 - 1 Comment
Catalysts could lead to greener chemicals
CALTECH (US) — A new class of catalysts will make it possible to synthesize a wide range of chemicals— from pharmaceuticals to insect pheromones—using environmentally friendly methods. (more…)
Top Stories - Jul 6, 2012 9:58 - 0 Comments
Time in space may stretch worm lifespan
U. NOTTINGHAM (UK) — Scientists studying loss of bone and muscle mass among astronauts find that spaceflight’s effects on microscopic worms may help them live longer. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jul 5, 2012 16:19 - 0 Comments
Worms’ gut bugs go from friend to foe
MICHIGAN STATE (US) — Seemingly benign bacteria live in worms’ guts and contribute to their survival. With a flip of a switch, however, the same bacteria transform from harmless to deadly. (more…)
Earth & Environment - Jul 5, 2012 15:06 - 0 Comments
Invasive flower sets off chain reaction
WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — The chain of interactions triggered by the invasive plant purple loosestrife alters the zooplankton diversity in artificial ponds—and confirms a central tenet of ecology. (more…)
Earth & Environment - Jun 29, 2012 12:11 - 3 Comments
Wildlife returns to Britain’s urban rivers
CARDIFF U. (UK) — After decades of pollution, typically from poorly treated sewage and industrial waste, urban rivers throughout England and Wales have improved dramatically in water quality and wildlife. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 21, 2012 8:35 - 0 Comments
Pests mutate to chomp on modified crops
U. ARIZONA (US) — Pests are adapting to genetically modified corn and cotton crops in unexpected ways, say researchers. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 15, 2012 15:07 - 0 Comments
Firefly light powers nanorods that glow
SYRACUSE (US) — Scientists have found a new way to harness the natural light produced by fireflies, called bioluminescence, using nanoscience. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 12, 2012 9:24 - 0 Comments
For butterflies, flashy wings get the girl
YALE (US) — Female butterflies are wired to identify males of their species by the spots on their wings, but new research shows they can learn to like males that evolve flashier patterns. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 7, 2012 12:11 - 0 Comments
Flowers ‘optimized’ colors for bee vision
MONASH U. (AUS) — Over millions of years, flowers in Australia and Europe have evolved to produce the same colors to attract bees, a new study finds. (more…)
Top Stories - Jun 7, 2012 11:36 - 0 Comments
Without key gene, male flies don’t feel sexy
WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — Researchers have identified a gene that seems to unleash the fruit fly’s highly stylized and repetitive courtship ritual. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 6, 2012 14:45 - 1 Comment
Beetles in ‘bro zone’ reproduce less often
U. VIRGINIA (US) — Male beetles who only hang out with other guys have less sex than those who are more social, say researchers interested in the evolution of social behavior. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jun 5, 2012 16:55 - 6 Comments
How mosquitoes fly on despite the rain
GEORGIA TECH (US) — Scientists have discovered how mosquitoes can fly through a downpour—even though a single raindrop can weigh 50 times more than one of the insects. (more…)
Science & Technology - May 31, 2012 12:08 - 0 Comments
Butterfly genes can’t yet explain migration routes
EMORY (US) — Despite migrating to different locations, new research reveals that eastern and western groups of monarch butterflies are genetically mixed. (more…)
Science & Technology - May 30, 2012 11:21 - 0 Comments
Moths sense humidity to hunt down nectar
U. ARIZONA / CORNELL (US) — Humidity emanating from a flower tells a moth if there’s enough nectar to warrant a visit, researchers have discovered. (more…)
Earth & Environment - May 14, 2012 11:08 - 0 Comments
Natural land a welcome mat for ladybugs
MICHIGAN STATE (US) — Having large tracts of natural habitat around crop fields invites pest-gobbling ladybugs, which could save farmers an estimated $4.6 billion a year on insecticides. (more…)
Health & Medicine - May 9, 2012 12:53 - 0 Comments
Control killer fly with satellite tracking
MICHIGAN STATE (US) — Scientists have developed a plan to effectively control the tsetse fly using satellite images of Kenyan landscape and by monitoring tsetse movement. (more…)
