nature
Deforestation And Hunting Driving Bird Extinction
The combined threats of deforestation and wildlife trade are pushing Southeast Asia bird species to extinction, scientists say.
Tracking Pesticides Through An Insect’s Body
By combining laser-scanning with mass spectroscopy, researchers have managed to track the distribution of pesticides in the bodies of fruit flies.
Flies Wreak Havoc On Japan’s Endangered Orchids
Scientists in Japan have demonstrated that endangered orchid species in the country are being threatened by seed-eating flies.
Virus Infection Makes Ants Switch From Savory To Sweet Food
An international team of researchers has found that fire ants infected by a virus have altered food preferences and may forage less, with implications for pest control measures.
Shark Fins Need To Be Struck Off The Menu, Scientists Say
Poor regulatory oversight has allowed the shark fin trade to run rampant and threaten endangered shark species, said researchers in Hong Kong and Canada.
Why Some Asian Monkeys Can’t Taste Sugar
Scientists have found that Asian colobine monkeys express receptor genes for tasting sweetness, but these receptors appear less functional than those in fruit-eating monkeys.
The Secret Lives Of Grasshoppers And Crickets
While grasshoppers and crickets are often thought of as harmful to plants, scientists have demonstrated that these insects can also play important roles in pollination.
Darkness Drives Bigger Eyes But Smaller Brains
Researchers have found that fish that spend most of their lives in the dark have large eyes and smaller visual processing fields in the brain.
Decoding Okinawan Snake Venom
Researchers in Japan have sequenced the genome of the Okinawan habu and identified nearly 60 genes from 18 different gene families that make up the snake's venom cocktail.
