Nature News

Research discovers darker feathers mean healthier pigeons

Research discovers darker feathers mean healthier pigeons

Posted Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:36:00 GMT by Laura Brown

Research paper in the Journal for Avian Biology studies how different coloured feathers can suggest different health levels amongst urban pigeons. A study of pigeons in the centre of Pairs has discovered birds with darker feathers are healthier, have stronger immune systems and are more attractive to the opposite sex than their lighter coloured counterparts.

Research discovers darker feathers mean healthier pigeons

Cave fish have evolved to sleep less

Cave fish have evolved to sleep less

Posted Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT by Louise Murray

Cave dwelling fish have evolved to need much less sleep than their surface cousins in an adaptation that might help them to avoid missing out on rare food. Cave fish have many adaptations to their dark environments including eyelessness, loss of pigmentation, changed feeding behaviour and metabolic patterns, but this is the first time that researchers have documented genetic changes in sleep patterns.

Cave fish have evolved to sleep less

East vs. West: Lion populations in Africa shown to be genetically different

East vs. West: Lion populations in Africa shown to be genetically different

Posted Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:35:23 GMT by Helen Roddis

Lions in West and Central Africa and lions in East and southern Africa show marked genetic differences, according to new research. By analysing mitochondrial DNA of lions from all over Africa and from India, including sequences from extinct lions, such as the Atlas lion in Morocco, the researchers were able to identify that lions from West and Central Africa were, surprisingly, more related to lions from the Asiatic subspecies than they were to their East and southern African neighbours.

East vs. West: Lion populations in Africa shown to be genetically different

Fussy killers - Weddell seals on the menu for Orca

Fussy killers - Weddell seals on the menu for Orca

Posted Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:59:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

A predilection for larger, fatter Weddell seals has been noted by NOAA scientists studying killer whales, in the icy waters off the Antarctic Peninsula. The study in Marine Mammal Science shows they use astounding tactics of cooperation to ensure Weddell stays on the menu - creating waves to wash their prey off of floes, and then sharing the hapless seal once drowned.

Fussy killers - Weddell seals on the menu for Orca

Record-breaking 2010 Amazon drought seen from space

Record-breaking 2010 Amazon drought seen from space

Posted Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:28:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

Last summer's drought in the Amazon left vast swathes of forest visibly stressed, according to a study of images from 2 NASA satellites. This worryingly matches the predictions of drier, harsher times for one of the world's most biodiverse areas - and sets the scene for possible massive outpouring of CO2.

Record-breaking 2010 Amazon drought seen from space

New species of green pit viper snake discovered

New species of green pit viper snake discovered

Posted Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:24:00 GMT by Lucy Brake

A new green pit viper has been found by scientists working in the forests of Southeast Asia. An undiscovered species of snake, which has been called the ruby-eyed green pit viper, was found nestled into a tree branch by researchers studying snakes in Southeast Asia. They captured the stunning creature in a photograph which has been used to help identify it as a new species previously unknown to humans.

New species of green pit viper snake discovered

Mountain gorillas face human health hazard

Mountain gorillas face human health hazard

Posted Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:07:01 GMT by Martin Leggett

Mountain gorillas are under assault from a new enemy - human pneumonia-type viruses - according to research published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. The closeness of our relationship to our magnificent genetic cousins has led to this increased disease risk, that may well require changes to our approaches to conserve them.

Mountain gorillas face human health hazard

Japan's continuing history of seismic disasters

Japan's continuing history of seismic disasters

Posted Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:16:00 GMT by Michael Evans

Throughout its history Japan has been subject to seismic disasters. This latest one shows no sign of abating and could even result in a global catastrophe. As if this catastrophe was not enough, the crippling of the Fukushima No 1 power plant has exposed a mortifying catalogue of complacency and shortfalls in safety procedures. Conflicting stories and evasive explanations became the norm once it was clear that things were going badly wrong

Japan's continuing history of seismic disasters

Survival of the unfittest can work for bacteria

Survival of the unfittest can work for bacteria

Posted Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:55:01 GMT by Martin Leggett

Evolution doesn't always favor the fit, according to a new paper in Nature. In certain circumstances, both fit and unfit bacteria can live in diverse communities, even in very simple environments. The key factor is how mutation rates and food-exploiting efficiency are interlinked - it turns out that the best bacteria are often prone to higher levels of mutation.

Survival of the unfittest can work for bacteria

'Songs For Japan' album released

'Songs For Japan' album released

Posted Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:36:00 GMT by Andy Tillett

'Songs for Japan' featuring U2, Lady Gaga, Beyonce Knowles and Justin Timberlake has been released through online music store iTunes. The compilation album sees 38 artists donate tracks and waive royalties to benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society's relief efforts in the country, which was devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami earlier this month.

'Songs For Japan' album released

UK's Buglife invites the nation on an Oil Beetle Hunt!

UK's Buglife invites the nation on an Oil Beetle Hunt!

Posted Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:30:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

With the UK's hedgerows abuzz again as spring finally unfurls, the charity for creepy-crawly conservation, Buglife, is calling on all garden adventurers to join them on an Oil Beetle Hunt. Keep your eyes peeled, identify them and then upload your sightings - photos and all - to help save one the UK's most beautiful but threatened bug species.

UK's Buglife invites the nation on an Oil Beetle Hunt!

Sloth dung points to stark future for Joshua Trees

Sloth dung points to stark future for Joshua Trees

Posted Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:02:01 GMT by Martin Leggett

The Joshua tree could be badly affected by this century's predicted temperature rise - it could be eliminated from up to 90% of its current range. That's the message coming from sloth dung, which scientists have pored over to discern the effect of prior periods of warming on the Joshua tree.

Sloth dung points to stark future for Joshua Trees

From garbage tip to wildlife haven - new theory for Everglades tree islands

From garbage tip to wildlife haven - new theory for Everglades tree islands

Posted Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:55:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

Human waste-tips some 5,000 years ago helped to build south Florida's tree-islands, new research being presented at today's American Geophysical Union's Chapman Conference shows. As the waste piled up, the ground became raised enough for trees to colonize - and then stabilize - these island wildlife sanctuaries in the Everglades' Shark River Slough.

From garbage tip to wildlife haven - new theory for Everglades tree islands

Genetic analysis ends 20 years of debate over whether the Amsterdam albatross is separate species

Genetic analysis ends 20 years of debate over whether the Amsterdam albatross is separate species

Posted Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:24:00 GMT by Helen Roddis

Genetic analysis confirms the world's rarest albatross is a separate species. The Amsterdam albatross is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is an extremely large albatross that breeds only on Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean, where its total population is made up of just 130 individuals. The Amsterdam albatross's breeding range is restricted further still, to a single area of the island known as the Plateau des Tourbieres.

Genetic analysis ends 20 years of debate over whether the Amsterdam albatross is separate species

Animals help increase diversity of plant life in forested areas of France

Animals help increase diversity of plant life in forested areas of France

Posted Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:27:00 GMT by Michael Evans

Although large animals in French forests are responsible for a certain amount of damage, they also are effective in contributing to plant diversity. They discovered that one plant, the gypsy flower, was not found at the time of the original survey and only began to appear in 1981. It is now widespread, particularly in areas most frequented by large forest mammals.

Animals help increase diversity of plant life in forested areas of France

Not just a pretty face: adult Barbary macaques recognise photos of friends

Not just a pretty face: adult Barbary macaques recognise photos of friends

Posted Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:16:00 GMT by Helen Roddis

According to new research, untrained Barbary macaques are able to differentiate between pictures of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Scientists discovered that the monkeys were able recognise photographs of group members, and spent more time studying pictures of animals that were not part of their social circle.

Not just a pretty face: adult Barbary macaques recognise photos of friends

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Bowhead whales rock- all winter long.

Posted Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:39:22 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Untamed Travel Possibilities for your imagination or your future plans.

Posted Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:34:49 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Sneeze to leave, and wild dogs vote for a hunt!

Posted Wed, 06 Sep 2017 07:15:00 GMT by JW.Dowey

Sheep hunted before domestication in the Middle East.

Posted Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:25:00 GMT by JW. Dowey

Stream insects live well in Yorkshire

Posted Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:55:00 GMT by JW.Dowey

Bees that buzz and those that help the economy!

Posted Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:15:00 GMT by JW. Dowey

Climate Change drives early laying/hatching, but not only Temperature!

Posted Thu, 27 Apr 2017 07:16:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Bees succeed against the odds, even when solitary.

Posted Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:16:55 GMT by JW. Dowey

Fascination in rocky pools and their invertebrate inhabitants

Posted Thu, 23 Mar 2017 11:25:01 GMT by JW. Dowey

Army ants tolerate multiple evolutions of beetle mimics

Posted Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:50:00 GMT by JW. Dowey

A fishy tale for the origins of some MCS Chilean sea bass

Posted Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:02:57 GMT by Martin Leggett

A sea change in North Sea ecosystems

Posted Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:06:32 GMT by Dave Armstrong

The curious world of the spider in the bubble

Posted Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:16:52 GMT by Martin Leggett

Mountain gorillas face human health hazard

Posted Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:07:01 GMT by Martin Leggett

Jelly and Sea Tomatoes?

Posted Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:57:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Evolving Doors

Posted Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:38:39 GMT by JW Dowey

'Extinct' giant Floreana tortoise may be alive, say scientists

Posted Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:28:00 GMT by Adrian Bishop

Two new species of freshwater stingray discovered in the Amazon

Posted Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:45:00 GMT by Louise Murray

Butterfly Mutations post-Fukushima

Posted Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:59:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Look out for the little guys - smaller fish more vulnerable than thought

Posted Mon, 02 May 2011 19:00:01 GMT by Martin Leggett