Novel sex-determination mechanism revealed in mammals
The Sox9 gene is upregulated in the absence of sex-determining Y chromosome and Sry gene in Amami spiny rat.
Planet’s rarest birds at higher risk of extinction
A new study finds that bird species with extreme or uncommon combinations of traits face the highest risk of extinction.
A better model for type 2 diabetes: The Nile rat
Researchers have assembled the first reference genome for the Nile rat -- a kind of genetic template of this species that may be used...
Scientists ‘pin the tail’ on IVF treatment for donkeys
A research group has created a successful donkey embryo using in-vitro fertilization (IVF), which could save dozens of endangered donkey species.
Learning to better understand the language of algae
Communication is everything -- and that applies for algae, too. However, their chemical language and its significance in aquatic ecosystems remain largely unknown. New...
Australians clueless about their country’s most endangered species
A study bu a conservation psychologist reveals overwhelming public ignorance of Australia's most threatened species, a factor that is contributing to the extinction crisis...
Eating fire ants could prepare lizards for future fire ant attack
Eating fire ants might prepare a lizard's immune system to be stung by the ants, according to a new study.
Best way to estimate costs for invasive plant removal? Get out and dig
According to an agricultural ecologist, many cost estimates for cleaning up unwanted, invasive plants are just that: estimates, extrapolated via desktop analysis from relatively...
Butterflies: 195 ways to help California’s painted ladies
By documenting hundreds of new nectar plants for painted ladies, scientists have renewed hope these charismatic butterflies may prove resilient to climate change.
Harpoon heads, sweeping tails: How predatory mosquito larvae capture prey
With striking high-speed video footage, scientists have for the first time detailed how predatory mosquito larvae attack and capture prey in aquatic habitats. This...
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'Unacceptable' that some fuel from spill can't be cleaned: First Nation chief.
An oily rainbow−like sheen on the waters surrounding a diesel fuel spill off the north coast of Vancouver Island cannot be cleaned up, sparking...
Pacific north-west heatwave shows climate is heading into ‘uncharted territory’
The deadly heatwave that hit north-western US and Canada in late June would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused global warming, a new “rapid-attribution”...
Community action and climate change
So why did rural Nebraska become the centre of the KXL debate? The original KXL route traversed through the ecologically sensitive Nebraskan Sandhills, which...
Previous exposure to flaviviruses increases effects of Zika
Prior infection with dengue or West Nile virus can enhance the effects of Zika infection, a new study using human samples tested in mice...
Fighting climate change means building dense, diverse, walkable cities.
“Let me add to the complexity of the situation we find ourselves in: At the same time we’re solving for climate change, we’re going...