ScienceDaily: Top Environment News


Fast, cheap test can detect COVID-19 virus’ genome without need for PCR

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 04:49 PM PST

Researchers have developed a new test for COVID-19 that combines the speed of over-the-counter antigen tests with the accuracy of PCR tests that are processed in medical labs and hospitals.

New study calls into question the importance of meat eating in shaping our evolution

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 12:11 PM PST

A new study calls into question the primacy of meat eating in early human evolution.

Squatina mapama, new species from Panama: first report of an angel shark from the Central American Caribbean

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 12:10 PM PST

Genetic analyses helped identify a new cryptic shark species of the genus Squatina from the Western Atlantic Ocean.

How environment and genomes interact in plant development

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 12:10 PM PST

A new study could help to breed more resilient crops as well as shed light on mechanisms that play a critical role in plant growth. The study focuses on how phenotypic plasticity, or the way a given trait can differ as a result of environmental conditions, influences the growth of sorghum.

Heat dome and other climate events have growing impact on mental health

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 12:10 PM PST

Last summer's Western North American heat dome caused more than record-breaking temperature increases--rising anxiety about climate change is reported in a new study on the weather event's impact on our mental health.

Urban Britain’s potential as a ‘grow your own veggies’ nation

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:50 AM PST

Scientists set out to discover if there is sufficient green space, such as private gardens, parks and other recreational areas, within our towns and cities to grow enough fresh food to feed local populations.

Overweight dogs respond well to high-protein, high-fiber diet

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:50 AM PST

A study of overweight dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet for 24 weeks found that the dogs' body composition and inflammatory markers changed over time in ways that parallel the positive changes seen in humans on similar diets. The dogs achieved a healthier weight without losing too much muscle mass, and their serum triglycerides, insulin and inflammatory markers all decreased with weight loss.

Study demonstrates accuracy of less invasive technique for monitoring wildlife health

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:50 AM PST

A recent study finds a technique that uses dried spots of blood to measure health indicators in elephants is comparable to techniques that use larger blood samples and require immediate cold storage -- technology that is not always available when monitoring animals in the wild.

Cracking chimpanzee culture

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:50 AM PST

Chimpanzees don't automatically know what to do when they come across nuts and stones. Researchers have now used field experiments to show that chimpanzees thus do not simply invent nut cracking with tools, but need to learn such complex cultural behaviors from others. Their culture is therefore more similar to human culture than often assumed.

Hippos recognize each other’s voices, respond differently to calls of strangers

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 08:48 AM PST

Hippopotamuses are rather vocal animals. Their 'wheeze honk' calls can be heard over long distances, leading researchers to suspect the calls play an important role in maintaining social groups. Now, a new study shows that hippos recognize each other's voices. They also respond less aggressively to the calls of a neighbor compared to those of a stranger.

Transparency in butterflies, from A-Z: It’s more of a superpower than we thought

Posted: 24 Jan 2022 07:38 AM PST

Wing transparency as a flexible weapon for self-defense is one of many findings from a multi-year study spanning the physics, biology, ecology, and evolution of transparency in butterflies conducted by several groups.

Exploring fish flow from fisheries to supper

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

A recently published study brought together experts from the fields of oceanography, genetics, ecology, fisheries biology, and social sciences to develop unprecedented insights into the natural and commercial flow of fish.