Environment

Each year millions of Pacific salmon make a grand journey from the ocean to their freshwater spawning grounds at the end of their life cycles. This migration has rippling effects through food webs and ecosystems along the way. Whether they decompose or are consumed by other animals, these salmon deliver both nutrients and contaminants they

Stressed bees are much more likely to make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life. Stressed bees are much more likely to make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life, new research has revealed. Scientists at Newcastle University, UK, have found that bumblebees have a response to an adverse event resembling human emotions.

Researchers are calling for reforms to Australia's environmental laws, as threatened fish species continue to be legally exported. University of Queensland researchers are calling for reforms to Australia's environmental laws, as threatened fish species continue to be legally exported. Their work has identified four species that have been listed under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region can overcome major shared environmental challenges such as water scarcity and air pollution by harnessing the power of 'green education' to nurture a new generation of eco-leaders. Countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region can overcome major shared environmental challenges such as

From Tasmania to Madagascar to New Guinea, islands make up just over five per cent of Earth's land yet are home to 31 per cent of the world's plant species. A new study shows that of all plants classified as threatened worldwide, more than half are unique to islands, facing risks from habitat loss, climate

Marine heatwaves and cold spells are occurring both on the ocean surface and below, with ocean currents influencing their frequency. While marine heatwaves (MHWs) have been studied at the sea surface for more than a decade, new research published today in Nature has found 80 per cent of MHWs below 100 metres are independent of

Alaska's Iliamna Lake harbor seals have been difficult to study because of their remoteness. They weren't even identified as harbor seals until 2013. Now, a new genetic study has found significant differences, indicating that the Iliamna seals may represent a unique, endemic form of harbor seal. Findings suggest they may be evolutionarily, reproductively, and demographically

An ecologically realistic 24-year field study of grasslands showed that elevated levels of carbon dioxide nearly tripled species losses attributed to nitrogen pollution. Dozens of studies have demonstrated that nitrogen pollution, due mainly to the burning of fossil fuels and agricultural practices, is causing plant biodiversity losses worldwide. But whether rising levels of climate-warming carbon

As the world's native bee populations are declining, crop production requiring pollinators increasingly relies on commercial pollination services. In the U.S., the beekeeping industry is in great demand, and truckloads of bee colonies travel the country to accommodate crop growers. A new study looks at pollination contracts between beekeepers and California almond growers, exploring clauses

Researchers investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the behavioral transition from the sexually receptive estrus stage to the non-receptive phase, as part of the hormone-dependent behavioral changes during the estrous cycle in female mice. Researchers at University of Tsukuba investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the behavioral transition from the sexually receptive estrus stage to the non-receptive

A commonly used strategy in the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) medicine is based on the destruction of disease-causing mRNA. Achieving the opposite and stabilizing health-promoting mRNA is still a great challenge. A research team has now overcome this challenge: the chemists developed the first active substance that inhibits the deadenylation of mRNA and thus

Teleoperated robots for gathering moon dust are a step closer, according to new research. Teleoperated robots for gathering moon dust are a step closer, according to new research by scientists at the University of Bristol. The team were able to complete a sample collection task by controlling a virtual simulation, which then sent commands to