FLORA FAUNA

5,060 articles

Stem cells of worms and humans more similar than expected
Aug 10, 2016 (SPX)
The transient form of genetic information, the RNA, is processed in a similar manner in the cells of both organisms. These mechanisms seem to be at work through...
Smiling baby monkeys and the roots of laughter
Aug 09, 2016 (SPX)
When human and chimp infants are dozing, they sometimes show facial movements that resemble smiles. These facial expressions - called spontaneous smiles - are c...
Preventing mass extinctions of big mammals will require immediate action
Aug 09, 2016 (SPX)
Preventing the extinction of gorillas, rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears and the world's other largest mammals will require bold political a...
Mantis shrimp use UV color spots, chemical cues to size up opponents
Aug 08, 2016 (SPX)
Mantis shrimp, often brightly colored and fiercely aggressive sea creatures with outsized strength, use the ultraviolet reflectance of their color spots as well...
Desert elephants pass on knowledge - not mutations - to survive
Aug 08, 2016 (SPX)
Despite reported differences in appearance and behavior, DNA evidence finds that Namibian desert elephants share the same DNA as African savanna elephants. Howe...
Hybridization helps species avoid extinction
Aug 08, 2016 (UPI)
Some species are more likely to resemble their parents than others. It depends on how genes are passed from generation to generation. Humans get two copies of e...
Researchers identify how queen bees repress workers' fertility
Aug 05, 2016 (SPX)
Researchers from New Zealand's University of Otago have discovered the molecular mechanism by which queen honeybees carefully control worker bees' fertility. It...
Scientists determine how birds soar to great heights
Aug 04, 2016 (SPX)
Migratory birds often use warm, rising atmospheric currents to gain height with little energy expenditure when flying over long distances. It's a behavior known...
Long term bacteria experiment still evolving after 30 years
Aug 04, 2016 (SPX)
If Paul Simon were to write a song about the bacteria in Richard Lenski's long-term evolution experiment, or LTEE, it could be titled, "Still Changing After All...
Dwindling prey bad news for big cats, wolves
Aug 03, 2016 (AFP)
The world's top land carnivores such as tigers, lions and jaguars are coming under threat as their prey dwindles in number, according to the first global study ...
India appeals for help for baby rhinos rescued in floods
Aug 02, 2016 (AFP)
Indian wildlife officers appealed on Tuesday for help in caring for eight rare baby rhinos feared orphaned by recent deadly floods in the remote northeast. Resc...
Teasing out the microbiome of the Kansas prairie
Aug 02, 2016 (SPX)
The Kansas prairie seems like the very picture of beauty and simplicity, with undulating fields of corn and wheat stretching as far as the eye can see. But belo...
Butterflies tell plants apart by leaf shape
Jul 29, 2016 (UPI)
The evolutionary pressures of hunger, reproduction and pollination have driven a unique relationship between butterflies and plants. To encourage the faithfulne...
WWF calls for crack down on 'tiger farms'
Jul 28, 2016 (AFP)
The World Wildlife Fund on Thursday urged Asian states to investigate all tiger breeding centres and crack down on any involved in black-market animal trade. On...
'Super ants' invading British gardens faster than ever
Jul 26, 2016 (UPI)
An invasive garden ant hailing from Asia continues to conquer new territory in England. The species, Lasius neglectus, is capable of building super colonies boa...
University of Montana research unveils new player in lichen symbiosis
Jul 26, 2016 (SPX)
Dating back nearly 150 years, a classic example of symbiosis has been the lichen: a mutually helpful relationship between an alga and a fungus. Now, that well-k...
Ghost orchid scientists aim to restore rare Florida flowers
Jul 24, 2016 (AFP)
Armed with an orange staple gun and dozens of burlap squares entwined with ratty green roots, Mike Kane wades hip-deep into the swamp to restore what generation...
Science analyzes rare rapport between birds, people
Jul 21, 2016 (AFP)
For generations, people in Africa have partnered with wild birds called honeyguides to find bees' nests and honey, and scientists said Thursday they have analyz...
Lebanon gives teeth to big cat protection efforts
Jul 20, 2016 (AFP)
The death of a baby lion cub kept as a pet in Lebanon has inspired a major government-backed campaign to halt mistreatment and trafficking of big cats in the co...
World's greatest concentration of unique mammal species is on Philippine island
Jul 19, 2016 (SPX)
Where is the world's greatest concentration of unique species of mammals? A team of American and Filipino authors have concluded that it is Luzon Island, in the...
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