Spider mites shed light on evolution of reproductive barriers

They may be tiny, but mites have shown that we have something to learn from them. Researchers from Japan have discovered that mites can aid in the understanding of the evolution of reproductive barriers.

Catalysts found to convert carbon dioxide to fuel

The goal of tackling global warming by turning carbon dioxide into fuel could be one step closer with researchers using a supercomputer to identify a group of "single-atom" catalysts that could play a key role.

A step toward making GPS more resilient to space weather

Societies around the world now depend on satellite-based navigation systems, such as GPS, for a multitude of applications, including transportation, agriculture, military munitions, emergency services, and social networking, among others. However, natural hazards such as space weather can disrupt signals from these Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

Scientist looks to AI, lensing to find masses of free-floating planets

Exoplanet hunters have found thousands of planets, most orbiting close to their host stars, but relatively few alien worlds have been detected that float freely through the galaxy as so-called rogue planets, not bound to any star. Many astronomers believe that these planets are more common than we know, but that our planet-finding techniques haven't been up to the task of locating them.

New mathematical tools to study opinion dynamics

Research published in the SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics describes a new mathematical model for studying influence across social networks. Using tools from the field of topology, Robert Ghrist and Ph.D. graduate Jakob Hansen developed a framework to track how opinions change over time in a wide range of scenarios, including ones where individuals can use deceptive behaviors and propaganda agents can drive a group's consensus.

Diving into history: Gallipoli shipwrecks open to public

Hulking hulls of mighty warships greet divers off Turkey's western shore, testament to a World War I battle that gave birth to nations and is now an underwater museum.

Nobel in chemistry honors pair for way to build molecules

Two scientists won the Nobel Prize for chemistry Wednesday for finding an "ingenious" new way to build molecules that can be used to make everything from medicines to food flavorings.

Extinction and origination patterns change after mass extinctions

Scientists at Stanford University have discovered a surprising pattern in how life reemerges from cataclysm. Research published Oct. 6 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows the usual rules of body size evolution change not only during mass extinction, but also during subsequent recovery.

Scientists zero in on how termites coordinate mating behavior for colony success

By utilizing two of the most invasive termite species in Florida, scientists have gained insights at how animals living in groups—termites particularly—coordinate their leader-follower behaviors to thrive.

Spain's rare earths pit greens against tech security—and profit

Spain's untapped rare earths are stoking tensions between mining companies and environmentalists and farmers who fear the devastating impact from extracting the minerals considered as essential for a high-tech and low-carbon economy.

Scientists can switch on plants' response to light

Scientists have figured out how plants respond to light and can flip this genetic switch to encourage food growth. The discovery could help increase food supply for an expanding population with shrinking opportunities for farming.

New species is oldest meat-eating dinosaur found in UK

The oldest-known meat-eating dinosaur discovered in the UK has been named in honor of trailblazing Museum scientist Angela Milner, who passed away in August 2021.

Two stranded humpback whales rescued in Argentina

Rescue teams saved two stranded whales along the Atlantic coast of Argentina Tuesday, the World Marine Foundation said.

US mother of young cancer victim loses suit over Roundup weedkiller

A mother who said her young son developed a rare form of cancer because of his exposure to Roundup lost her court battle in California, lawyers said Tuesday.

Sequencing, mRNA, or maybe nanocrystals? Wide-open field for Nobel Chemistry Prize

Breakthroughs in DNA sequencing, innovative gas storage, nanocrystals or a second chance for mRNA Covid-19 vaccines? Speculators on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry are spoiled for choice ahead of the announcement on Wednesday.

In California, some buy machines that make water out of air

The machine Ted Bowman helped design can make water out of the air, and in parched California, some homeowners are already buying the pricey devices.

Honeybees' waggle dance reveals bees in rural areas travel further for food

By decoding honeybees' waggle dances, which tell other bees where to find food, researchers have found that bees in agricultural areas travel further for food than those in urban areas. The findings are published in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology.

Smart parrots need more stimulation, new research finds

The smarter the bird, the more unique welfare needs it has in captivity, according to a U of G first-ever study.

Concentrate farming to leave room for species and carbon, better than 'eco-friendly' agriculture

Farming should be as high-yield as possible so it can be limited to relatively small areas, allowing much more land to be left as natural habitats while still meeting future food targets, according to a major new analysis of over a decade of research.

Do opinions regarding climate change adjust to economic conditions?

Some studies claim that declining economic conditions cause people to become less concerned with climate change, while others find little relationship. New research published in Economic Inquiry demonstrates that both results are valid, but they hold for different groups.