https://phys.org/biology-news/ en-us Read the latest science news from Phys.org on biology, evolution, microbiology, biotechnology The European Commission's proposal to ease current restrictions on genetically modified crops has riled up EU organic farming leader Austria and its farmers. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-austria-farmers-arms-brussels-gmo.html Agriculture Thu, 03 Aug 2023 04:10:38 EDT news610254633 A town on northern Mexico's Pacific coast saw its beaches carpeted with dead fish after what experts describe as a toxic algae bloom. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-dead-fish-carpet-beaches-pacific.html Ecology Thu, 03 Aug 2023 04:00:00 EDT news610253996 Northern muriquis, which live in the Atlantic forest of Brazil, are one of the most endangered species of monkey in the world. Choosing good mates and rearing thriving offspring are key to the species' long-term survival. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-monkey-poop-endangered-species.html Plants & Animals Thu, 03 Aug 2023 03:54:13 EDT news610253635 Canadian vertebrate paleontologist Aaron Kilmury and a team of researchers from the University of Manitoba have published new research in PeerJ Life and Environment, unveiling the first-ever formal description of microvertebrate fossil assemblages from the late Cenomanian to middle Turonian periods in Manitoba, Canada. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-canadian-paleontologists-microvertebrate-faunal-assemblages.html Paleontology & Fossils Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:10:01 EDT news610211530 When you are driving through a rain storm, traction is key. If your tires lack sufficient tread, your vehicle will slip and slide, and you won't have the grip needed to maneuver safely. When torrential rains hit near-shore, shallow water ecosystems, sea urchins experience a similar challenge. Heavy precipitation can alter the concentration of salt in the ocean waters, causing lower salinity levels. Even a slight change in salinity can affect the ability of sea urchins to securely attach their tube feet to their surroundings—like tires gripping the road. This becomes a matter of life and death for the small spiny creatures, as they rely on their adhesive structures to move in the wave-battered rocky area near the seashore. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-sea-urchins-struggling-climate-ecosystems.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:09:13 EDT news610211348 Previous studies in humans and animals have shown that hosts in a social condition (sharing the same space) harbor a more similar microbiota composition. Microbial transmission between hosts, which is increased when living in the same household, leads to similar species inhabiting the gut. However, whether bacterial evolution in the gut is affected by microbiota transmission has remained unknown. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-power-host-social-interactions-bacterial.html Evolution Cell & Microbiology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:55:53 EDT news610206950 Interest in local bird feeding appears to have ramped up in countries all over the world during the pandemic lockdowns, even in countries not historically noted for bird feeding practices, according to a study published August 2, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jacqueline Doremus from California Polytechnic State University and Liqing Li from Texas A&M University College Station, US, and Darryl Jones from Griffith University, Australia. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-bird-surged-countries-worldwide-covid-.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:00:01 EDT news610189622 It's a hot day at a Santa Monica beach, and the children splashing each other aren't the only youngsters in the water. Somewhere not far from the shore swims a group of five or more juvenile white sharks. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-attention-beachgoers-sharks-wrong.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:00:01 EDT news610199025 Earth's soil contains large stocks of carbon—even more carbon than in the atmosphere. A significant portion of this soil carbon is in organic form (carbon bound to carbon), called soil organic carbon (SOC). However, SOC has historically been greatly diminished by agricultural activity, releasing that carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-method-accurate-efficient-soil-carbon.html Ecology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:46:40 EDT news610199195 Cadmium naturally occurs in the soil of much of Latin America's cacao farms, and is absorbed by the plants. With EU regulations restricting the amount of cadmium allowed in chocolate imports, it is important for farmers to know where they can grow cacao that is fit for the global market. Researchers have compiled a map that aims to address this challenge. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-cadmium-cacao-problem-isnt-bad.html Ecology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:45:57 EDT news610199139 Chicken-meat is one of the most accessible, affordable and accepted animal protein worldwide, presenting a promising solution to food security while maintaining minimal greenhouse gas emissions and low carbon footprints. Broiler chicken diets typically comprise 20 to 23% protein, with soybean meal being the primary protein source. Advancements have been made in the form of low-protein broiler diets, which reduce soybean meal usage by substituting with crystalline amino acids. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-optimizing-low-protein-diets-broiler-chickens.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:43:02 EDT news610198979 When you shell out for artisanal food—Swiss Gruyère cheese, organic vanilla extract, Italian prosciutto—do you get what you paid for? With global food fraud estimates as high as $40 billion a year, it's a question Purdue University researchers are tackling with a food "fingerprint" technique sensitive enough to distinguish between foods made from the same ingredients, but in different locations. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-gourmet-imitation-technique-ferrets-food.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:35:35 EDT news610198531 Many cereal crops, such as wheat and barley, are prey to devastating fungal diseases caused by infection with so-called grass powdery mildews. A key battleground between the plants and the powdery mildews is the interaction between plant immune receptors and pathogen effectors, molecules which are delivered into host cells by pathogens to establish infection. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-insights-illuminate-arms-crop-fungal.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:33:58 EDT news610198430 New research published today in Nature has revealed the importance of mineral forms of iron in regulating the cycling of this bio-essential nutrient in the ocean. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-highlights-importance-mineral-iron-ocean.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:31:48 EDT news610198302 A study on almost four thousand people of African descent has identified a gene that acts as natural defense against HIV by limiting its replication in certain white blood cells. An international effort co-led by EPFL, Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory, and Imperial College London, it paves the way for new treatment strategies and underscores the importance of studying diverse ancestral populations to better address their specific medical needs and global health disparities. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-hiv-african-genomes.html Biotechnology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:31:47 EDT news610194698 Contributing to the pursuit of sustainable farming, especially sugarcane growing, Brazilian researchers have shown that water bodies such as ponds and even puddles can maintain ecosystem services, provided there are tolerant animals in the vicinity to replace those most sensitive to agricultural practices. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-substitution-tolerant-sensitive-species-ecosystems.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:23:07 EDT news610194183 Otodus megalodon, the biggest shark of all time, has long captured the imaginations of paleontologists and the public alike. Scientific fascination spawns from the sheer enormity of their fossilized teeth. As big as human hands and serrated like kitchen knives, they were used for cutting down whales unlucky enough to encounter these sharks. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-meg-truth-extinct-mega-shark.html Plants & Animals Paleontology & Fossils Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:20:01 EDT news610193287 For years, the Balkan lynx has struggled to survive as deforestation destroyed its habitat and poachers targeted the elusive mountain cat along with the animals it relies on for food. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-wild-stray-dogs-threaten-rare.html Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:17:57 EDT news610193872 There could be a new contender for heaviest animal to ever live. While today's blue whale has long held the title, scientists have dug up fossils from an ancient giant that could tip the scales. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-heaviest-animal-ancient-whale-peruvian.html Plants & Animals Paleontology & Fossils Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:12:55 EDT news610193569 Intensive farming practices have gained popularity in recent decades, largely due to the escalated demand for poultry products. Nonetheless, the high stocking densities these methods employ have amplified the susceptibility of commercial broilers to numerous stress factors. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-roles-chlorogenic-acid-growth-immune.html Veterinary medicine Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:10:14 EDT news610193411 Humans have trained domestic animals for thousands of years, to help with farming, transport, or hunting. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-unique-wild-predators-alien-species.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:09:25 EDT news610193360 When considering a bacterial population as a multicellular community, it is imperative to understand the inherent roles of maintaining homeostasis and viability in response to environmental factors. Cannibalism is a strategy to cope with nutrient deficiency in the environment, which maintains survival of the Bacillus population. Although cannibalism is well-investigated in Bacillus subtilis, the model species of Bacillus, its mechanism remains unknown in other Bacillus species. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-fatty-acids-governed-cannibalism-beneficial-rhizosphere.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:07:24 EDT news610193241 Building on the Middle East's reputation as one of the historical birthplaces of cereal crop domestication, a KAUST-led team has compiled the first complete genome map of an ancient grain known as einkorn. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-ancient-grain-genetic-secrets-bread.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:00:02 EDT news610128139 It's around this time of year that Australian cherry growers look for cooler days. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-climate-view-farmers-insights-future.html Biotechnology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:00:02 EDT news610191167 Researchers from Loughborough University discovered that athletes who lose weight during these events, which often last days and cover hundreds of miles, show significant adaptation of cognitive function to promote foraging ability. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-evolutionary-evidence-ultra-marathon-runners.html Other Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:45:28 EDT news610191925 Owing to human activities and climate change, many animal species have invaded new habitats. Such biological invasion comes with devastating impacts on the local biodiversity and ecosystems. The red swamp crayfish—known to the scientific world as Procambarus clarkii (P. clarkii)—is no exception. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-tropical-red-swamp-crayfish-successfully.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:44:47 EDT news610191882 An emerging parasite known as Echinococcus multilocularis has been increasingly appearing in coyotes in Western Canada as well as in new regions of North America recent years, and poses a potential threat to the health of dogs and humans, said University of Saskatchewan (USask) graduate and veterinarian Dr. Temitope Kolapo (Ph.D.). https://phys.org/news/2023-08-diagnostic-tools-dogs-humans-deadly.html Biotechnology Veterinary medicine Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:43:17 EDT news610191793 In a compost heap, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans finds a richly laid table: at a length of just one millimeter, the worm feeds on bacteria that decompose organic material. It is essential that the animal avoids sunlight—and not just to ensure its body remains at an optimal temperature and does not dry out. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-nematode-artificial-intelligence-elucidate-sensor.html Biotechnology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:40:54 EDT news610191648 Consider this agricultural riddle: What occupies more than 49 million acres in the United States, is the third largest agricultural crop by area and accounts for a $40 billion dollar industry? https://phys.org/news/2023-08-beneficial-bacteria-ud1022-fungal-pathogens.html Molecular & Computational biology Agriculture Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:40:01 EDT news610191073 Dodging dog feces along the local path has become something of an Olympic sport of late. I thought I'd count path-side dog feces on my bike ride the other day and gave up after counting 30 piles in the first kilometer. It really does feel a bit out of control at the moment. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-dog-cat-feces-isnt-gross.html Ecology Veterinary medicine Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:30:01 EDT news610190861