ENVIRONMENT
That Fresh-Cut Grass Smell? It’s a Plant’s Distress Call
A new study reveals how the familiar “green” smell of cut grass is part of a long evolutionary battle between plants and insects.
Airborne Clues: New Testing Method Spots Hidden Viruses In Poultry Markets
Analysing genetic samples from the environment in live poultry markets can reveal more viruses than directly swabbing birds.
How Fukushima’s Abandoned Pigs Reshaped Wild Boar Genetics
A natural experiment after the 2011 Fukushima disaster shows how maternal pig lineages sped up wild boar evolution, while causing pig genes to disappear faster.
Meet Balanophora, The Parasitic Plant That Barely Qualifies As A Plant
Researchers have traced how Balanophora evolved an extreme parasitic lifestyle—shrinking its plastid genome and, in some species, abandoning sexual reproduction entirely.
How Asian Elephants Decide You’re Worth Talking To
Body and face orientation both matter when elephants decide it’s worth communicating.
Rising Pollution Moves Rainfall From Land To Sea In Southeast Asia
Researchers in Korea have found that aerosols intensify ocean rainfall while delaying land storms, altering Southeast Asia’s climate balance.
Simple DNA Switch Lets Butterflies Change Wing Spots
A unique DNA element found only in satyrid butterflies enables them to change wing patterns as environmental conditions shift.
Liquid Marbles Could Lead To Greener Pesticides That Don’t Slide Off Leaves
Liquid marble are a promising solution but multiple hurdles remain in applying them on field.
City Life Forces Two Rival Hornets To Coexist By Changing What They Eat
In non-urban areas, the two species consumed similar prey, reflecting their natural competitive relationship.
Salt-Tolerant Bacteria Could Help Sundarbans’ Farmers Fight Rising Salinity
A new study is a key step toward implementing native bacteria as biological fertilizers to counter the region’s high soil salinity.
